The behaviourists approach Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are the assumptions for the behaviourist approach?
The behaviourist approach is only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and measured. It is not concerned with investigating mental processes of the mind. It is a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
Who are the two main researchers?
Ivan Pavlov and BF Skinner.
Define classical conditioning.
Learning by association. Occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together- the UCS and NS.
Explain the process of classical conditioning.
Pavlov used a dog to show how is can be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time as they were given food. The dog learned to associate the sound of the bell with the sound of food and would produce the salivation response every time they heard the sound.
FOOD = SALIVATION
BELL = NOTHING
FOOD + BELL = SALIVATION
BELL = SALIVATION
The neutral stimulus is the bell and the unconditioned stimulus is the food. These were both paired to create a conditioned response to the sound of the bell.
Define operant conditioning.
A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences.
Explain the process of operant conditioning.
BF Skinner used a specially designed cage called the Skinner Box. This showed how animals and human learning is an active process whereby humans/animals operate on their environment. The rat was put into the box and every time the rat performed a desirable behaviour sugar pellets would fall and from then the rat would continue to perform the behaviour. Skinner also showed how the rat would do the same thing to avoid something unpleasant such as an electric shock.
Define positive reinforcement.
Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed.
Define negative reinforcement.
Occurs when an animal avoids something unpleasant.
What is a neutral stimulus?
Something in the environment that does not have the power to create a response.
What is unconditioned stimulus?
Something in the power that does have the power to create a response in a human or animal.
Explain the strength’s of the behaviourist approach.
1) Focuses on observable behaviour within highly controlled lab settings. This made is easy for replicability to occur. It also gave psychology greater credibility and status in the development of psychology as a science.
2) Operant conditioning can be used in the token system economy such as prisons and psychiatric wards. Good behaviours are rewarded and these people were given privileges whereas, bad behaviour was punished, which made them less likely to produce that behaviour. This means the behaviourist approach has real life application.
Explain the weaknesses of the behaviourist approach.
1) It assumes that animals and humans are passive and machine like responders to the environment, with little or no conscious insight into their behaviour. However, there is other factors influencing or behaviours which the behaviourist approach does not mention such as cognitive factors.
2) The behaviourist approach ignore any possible influences that free will may have on behaviour. Skinner suggested that it is simply an illusion. When something happens we impose a sense of having made the decision but, according to Skinner, our past conditioning history determined the outcome.
3) Skinners experiment was criticised as the animal was exposed to stressful and aversive conditions, which may also have affected how they reacted to the experimental situation.
