behaviourist approaches- SKINNERs research

Question 1

what are the 6 AO1 points you must know for skinners research?

Answer 1

-Operant Conditioning (Skinner’s focus)
-Skinner’s use of controlled experiments (Skinner box)
-Positive reinforcement in Skinner’s research
-Negative reinforcement in Skinner’s research
- Contribution to scientific credibility
-Limited generalisability and ethical issues

Question 2

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 2

A theory by Skinner that behaviour is shaped by its consequences: reinforcement (positive or negative) or punishment.

Question 3

What is the Skinner box?

Answer 3

A controlled lab apparatus used by Skinner to study animal behaviour in response to reinforcement and punishment.

Question 4

How did Skinner show positive reinforcement?

Answer 4

By rewarding rats with food for pressing a lever, making them more likely to repeat the behaviour.

Question 5

How did Skinner show negative reinforcement?

Answer 5

By stopping an electric shock when the rat pressed a lever, reinforcing the lever-pressing behaviour.

Question 6

How did Skinner’s research help the scientific credibility of behaviourism?

Answer 6

His use of controlled experiments, standardised procedures, and quantifiable data made behaviourism more scientific.

Question 7

What are the criticisms of Skinner’s research?

Answer 7

Limited generalisability (due to animal studies) and ethical concerns (use of aversive stimuli).