evaluation of O.C (pack 3)

Question 1

empiricism (s)

Answer 1

only directly observable behaviour was studied by skinner
data gathered was quantitative and this provides objective statistical evidence

lab settings and high levels of controls (use of skinner box)
cause and effect links between reinforcers and behaviours
accuracy is high and increases internal validity , thus providing credibility

Question 2

falsifiable (s)

Answer 2

concepts of theory such as reinforcement and punishment are clearly defined allowing testable predictions to be made

Question 3

reliable (s)

Answer 3

skinner box allowed for standardised procedure allowed for replication and whether it is learnt through p or n reinforcers with rats and pigeons

Question 4

application (s)

Answer 4

explanation for how addiction to drugs can change through reinforcers

useful in education and the criminal justice system
token economy
PAUL AND LENTZ

Question 5

generalisability (w)

Answer 5

used rats and pigeons as ppt. Animals have different experiences to humans and do not have the cognitive abilities

not fully representative

Question 6

ecological validity (w)

Answer 6

low as most organism learn in far more complex environments
this limits the credibility of the theory as accuarte explantion

Question 7

ethics (w)

Answer 7

unnecessary suffering with the use of electric shocks

costs of aniamals far outweighed by the many applications of the research for human life

Question 8

reductionist (w)

Answer 8

validity lowered due to reductionism

only focuses on positive and negative reinforcers to explain human behaviour and ignores other reasons for the behaviour

SLT alternative theory