The behaviourist approach

Question 1

What is the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

-A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
-baby’s mind is a blank slate
-classical and operant conditioning

Question 2

What is Pavlov’s research(1927)?

Answer 2

-classical conditioning
-dogs associated neutral stimulus of a bell with unconditioned stimulus of food to produce the conditioned response of salivation.

Question 3

What is Skinner’s research(1953)?

Answer 3

-Operant conditioning
-Positive reinforcement: frequency of behaviour increases due to a reward- rat given a food pellet for activating lever
-Negative reinforcement: increasing frequency of behaviour due to avoiding something unpleasant- rat avoids electric shock
-Punishment: decreasing frequency of behaviour due to consequence- rat stops pressing lever

Question 4

What are the strengths of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 4

-well controlled research: focus only on observable research in lab settings. By breaking down behaviours into observable stimulus-response chains removes extraneous variables allowing cause and effect relationships to be discovered. e.g. Skinner finding that reinforcement affects rat’s behaviour. Therefore behaviourist = scientific
HOWEVER: may have be reductionist as it does not draw attention to mental processes

-Real world application: Operant conditioning has led to token economy systems successfully being used in prisons and psychiatric wards. Therefore, Behaviorists = more valuable due to wide application.

Question 5

What are the limitations of behaviourist approach?

Answer 5

-Environmental determinism: Only looks at behaviour being because of past experiences. Skinner suggested that everything we do is because of past reinforcement history. This ignores the possibility for free will may have on our behaviour. This is an extreme position and ignores influence of mental processes and free will.

Question 6

What did Skinner say free will was?

Answer 6

“an illusion”