the behaviourist approach

Question 1

assumptions?

Answer 1

interested in studying behaviour that can be observed
basic behaviours are the same in all species

Question 2

classical conditioning definition

Answer 2

learning by association
occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together

Question 3

classical conditioning research

Answer 3

Pavlov
- dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell (NS) if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time as they were given food (US)

Question 4

operant conditioning definition

Answer 4

learning through consequences

Question 5

operant conditioning research

Answer 5

Skinner
- every time the rat activated a lever it was rewarded with a food pellet (positive reinforcement)

Question 6

evaluation
strength - real world application

Answer 6

operant conditioning is the basis of token economy systems such as prisons
rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges

Question 7

evaluation
limitation - ethical issues

Answer 7

although experiments allow behaviourists to maintain a high degree of control, many critics have questioned ethics
animals involved in Skinner’s box were exposed to stressful conditions which may have affected how they reacted to the experimental situation