The behaviourist approach

Question 1

2 theories of behaviourist approach

Answer 1

Classical conditioning-reflex behaviour
Operant conditioning- voluntary behaviour

Question 2

How does classical conditioning occur

Answer 2

+Occurs when two stimuli are paired together- an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus.
+The neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 3

Origins of classical conditioning

Answer 3

Pavlov was working on the salivary reflex of dogs.
He noticed that whenever a dog saw a lab assistance carrying a food bucket even if there was no food.

So each time the dog received food, a bell was rung.
After several times, the dog salivated the same amount as if it were being given food.
∴ the dogs has been classically conditioned to salivate to the sound of the bell.

Question 4

UCS
URS
NS
CS
CR

Answer 4

UCS- not learned
UCR-Created from something not learned
NS-Doesn’t normally create a response
CS-Learned
CR-Created from something learned

Question 5

Features of classical conditioning

Answer 5

Extinction
-If the CS is presented a few times without UCS paired with it, the association will start to weaken.

Spontaneous recovery
-If the UCS is not presented for a while, then the association with it can still recover itself if the stimulus is presented again.

Generalisation
-If a similar neutral stimulus is used then the UCR can still appear

Question 6

Operant conditioning

Answer 6

Learning is an active process for humans and other animals based on their environment.

Question 7

3 ways of operant conditioning

Answer 7

Postive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
Punishment

Question 8

Positive reinforcement

Answer 8

It is anything pleasant that is given to you when the desired behaviour is performed.
This increases the chance of the action being repeated.

Question 9

Negative reinforcement

Answer 9

It is when something unpleasant is removed or avoided after the desired behaviour is performed.
This increases the chance of the action being repeated.

Question 10

Punishment

Answer 10

Punishment decreases the likelihood of a behaviour; this involves causing some kind of mental or physical distress by either giving an unpleasant stimulus or withdrawing a pleasant one.

Question 11

Evaluating conditioning as an explanation of behaviour- Strengths

Answer 11

Scientific credibility
+By using experimental method and focusing on observable behaviour, the objectivity and replication of psychology was improved.

Real-life application
+The principles of conditioning have been applied to a broad range of real world behaviour.

Question 12

Evaluating conditioning as an explanation of behaviour- weaknesses

Answer 12

Mechanistic view of behaviour
+Classical conditioning sees animals as passive responders to the environment with little conscious thoughts about their behaviour.

Lack of free will
+Behaviourism sees all behaviour as determined by past experiences through conditioning. This ignores possible influence of free will on behaviour.