The Behaviourist Approach - Learning Approach 1

Question 1

Describe the 4 assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

1. Behaviour is learned from experience - suggesting we were born a blank slate
2. Only observable behaviour is measured scientifically and these are the only behaviours which should be studied (thought processes are subjective and too difficult to test)
3. Psychologists should use lab experiments as it is the best way to maintain objectivity
4. It is valid to study animals as they share the same principles of learning as humans

Question 2

What is classical conditioning and what is the process

Answer 2

Classical conditioning is the process of learning via association

Question 3

Describe Pavlov’s method with terminology

Answer 3

• Dogs were presented with food (unconditioned stimulus) which therefore made them salivate (unconditioned response)
• The dogs were then presented the food (UC) at the same time as a ringing bell (neutral stimulus). They still salivated (UR) due to the food.
• This process was repeated, presenting the dogs with food at the same time as a bell ringing
• The dogs then made the association that suggested to them that the bell sound meant food
• The dogs were then presented with just the sound of a ringing bell (conditioned stimulus) which made them salivate (conditioned response) due to the association.

Question 4

Evaluate Pavlov’s dogs

Answer 4

+ Experimental method
- Issues with extrapolation
- Unethical

Question 5

What is operant conditioning and how is it influenced

Answer 5

Operant conditioning is learning via consequences. It can be strengthened or weakened through reinforcement or punishment.

Question 6

What is reinforcement and what are the two types of it

Answer 6

Reinforcement strengthens a behaviour, meaning it makes it more likely to happen.
1. Positive reinforcement: receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed.
2. Negative reinforcement: individual is rewarded by avoiding something unpleasant.

Question 7

What is punishment and what are the two types of it

Answer 7

Punishment weakens a behaviour, meaning it is less likely to happen again.
1. Positive punishment: attempting to stop a behaviour by adding a negative consequence.
2. Negative punishment: attempting to stop a behaviour by removing something desired.

Question 8

What is extinction in terms of operant conditioning

Answer 8

The process of removing the reinforcement which has been maintaining a behaviour.

Question 9

Describe Skinner’s Box using terminology

Answer 9

1. Positive reinforcement:
   - Rat in box and in moving about accidentally hits lever
   - Food drops when lever is pressed
   - Rats learn to push lever for food
2. Punishment:
   - Skinner released electric shocks every time the lever was pressed
   - Rats learnt to stop pressing lever
3. Negative reinforcement:
   - Skinner released electric shocks throughout the box, the rats’ movement caused them to accidentally hit the lever which turned off the electricity.
   - He then added a light to turn on just before the electricity.
   - Rats learnt to go straight to the lever when the light turned on as they knew this meant the electricity was coming and they had learnt the lever turns it off.

Question 10

Evaluate Skinner’s Box

Answer 10

+ Experimental method
- Issues with extrapolation
- Unethical

Question 11

Evaluate the behaviourist approach

Answer 11

+ Practical applications (systematic desensitization through classical conditioning)
+ Evidence uses the scientific method
+ Supported by evidence
- Favours nurture side of the nature vs nurture debate due to oversimplicity
- Supports the determinism side of the free will vs determinism debate