The Behaviourist Approach

Question 1

What is the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

• Focuses on observable events and the conditions under which learning would be most likely to occur
• Suggests that all children are born as “tabulae rasae” (blank slates)

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

Learning through association

Question 3

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 3

Idea that organisms spontaneously produce different behaviours which produce consequences for them (desirable/not), whether an organism repeats a particular behaviour depends on the nature of these consequences.

Question 4

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 4

Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed

Question 5

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 5

The avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus that would be viewed as a punishment

Question 6

What is positive punishment?

Answer 6

A consequence that occurs adds something and is likely to reduce the chances of you doing the behaviour again

Question 7

What is negative punishment?

Answer 7

A consequence that removes something, making you less likely to repeat that behaviour

Question 8

What are the stages of classical conditioning with Pavlov’s dogs?

Answer 8

• Before conditioning, unconditioned stimulus (food) produced unconditioned response (salvation)
• During conditioning, unconditioned stimulus repeatedly paired with neutral stimulus (bell) to produce same unconditioned response
• Association made between unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus
• After conditioning, neutral stimulus became conditioned stimulus, producing conditioned response

Question 9

What was Watson and Rayner’s study (1920)?

Answer 9

Little Albert - classical conditioning

Question 10

What was Skinner’s research into reinforcement?

Answer 10

Skinner’s box:
- Positive reinforcement - rat rewarded with food when pressing lever (repeated)
- Negative reinforcement - electrocuted floor