The Learning Theory- Behaviourism Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is Behaviourism?
Behaviourism is a theory of learning which states all behaviours are learned through interaction with the environment through processes of classical and operant conditioning. Behaviourists believe that behaviour is simply a response to environmental stimuli. This approach is only concerned with behaviour that can be observed and measured scientifically- it is therefore not concerned with cognitions.
What research methods do Behaviourists use?
They use experimental methods when doing research- laboratory experiments are typical, as are non-human experiments. They often study animals saying that they share the same principles of learning as humans.
What are the two main ideas of Behaviourism?
a) Classical Conditioning- learning through association.
b) Operant Conditioning- learning through consequences.
What are the main two examples of behaviourist research?
a) Pavlov
b) Skinner
What did Pavlov discover?
Classical conditioning was first discovered by Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov revealed that dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time the dog would be given food. Thus, Pavlov was able to show how a neutral stimulus (in this case a bell) can come to elicit a new learned (conditioned) response through association.
What did Pavlov say about stimulus generalisation?
Pavlov found that if he varied the pitch and tone of the bell the dogs would still salivate. This indicates that if a stimulus has similar characteristics to the conditioned stimulus then an association would still be made.
What did Pavlov say about stimulus discrimination?
Pavlov stated that when the characteristics of the stimulus become too far away from the conditioned stimulus the association will not be made.
What did Pavlov mean by temporal contiguity?
He meant that association only occurs when the Unconditioned Stimulus and Neutral Stimulus are presented at the same time.
What 3 consequences of behaviour did Skinner suggest?
a) Positive Reinforcement- receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed.
b) Negative Reinforcement- occurs when something unpleasant is avoided.
c) Punishment- the unpleasant consequence of behaviour.
Positive and Negative Reinforcement INCREASES the likelihood that behaviour will be repeated. Punishment DECREASES the likelihood that behaviour will be repeated.
How did Skinner study operant conditioning?
Skinner (1948) studied operant conditioning by conducting experiments using animals which he placed in a ‘Skinner Box’. A Skinner box, also known as an operant conditioning chamber, is a device used to objectively record an animal’s behavior in a compressed time frame. An animal can be rewarded or punished for engaging in certain behaviours, such as lever pressing (for rats) or key pecking (for pigeons).
How can Skinner be used as an evaluation point?
One strength of the behaviourist approach is that it has lots of supporting research, for example Skinner (1948). His research looked at Operant Conditioning through conducting experiments that involved placing animals in a ‘Skinner Box’. This is a device used to objectively record an animal’s behavior in a compressed time frame. An animal can be rewarded or punished for engaging in certain behaviours, such as lever pressing (for rats) or key pecking (for pigeons). Skinner concluded from his study that some form of reinforcement was required when learning new behaviours and therefore is in support of behaviourism. However, Skinners research can be seen to have low validity as findings generated from animal studies cannot be generalised to humans and can even be criticised for extrapolation.
Why can this theory be considered to be deterministic?
One weakness of the Behaviourist Approach is that it can be seen to be deterministic. This theory claims that all thought and behaviour is caused by factors outside of an individual’s realm of control. Behaviourists are supporters of determinism because they believe that the environment is the only determinant of behavior. They believe there is no free will and no internal roots of behavior. Behaviourists believe that behavior is conditioned by the environment and determinism supports this theory. This is a weakness because, the behaviourist approach fails to consider the role of free will, it states that we do not have control over our actions and that the behaviours we develop are governed by external experiences when surely our actions in some part must be as a result of our own free choice?
Why can this theory be considered to be reductionist?
Another weakness of the Behaviourist Approach is that it can be seen to be reductionist. This perspective attempts to reduce all aspects of human behaviour down to just one simple level of explanation. For example, this approach explains complex behaviour using only two types of conditioning -Classic (learning through association) and Operant (learning through consequences). This explanation can be identified therefore as reductionist as human behaviour is oversimplified- what about nature (genetics) and nurture (environment)? An alternative approach could perhaps be the biological approach which explains thoughts and behaviour using brain structure and function, claiming that everything ultimately has a physical basis.
How can this theory be seen to have practical application?
A key strength of this theory is that it has real-life practical applications. For example, this approach has allowed Psychologists to develop successful concepts such as the ‘Token Economy System’ that has been successfully used in prisons and on psychiatric wards etc. This works by rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens that can then be exchanged for privileges. Not only this but behaviourism has helped to develop therapies and treatments for phobias (e.g. flooding) which require individuals to unlearn their disorder using the principals of classical conditioning. This is a strength of behaviourism as it has assisted in the rehabilitation of prisoners, proving highly effective and therefore proving the ecological validity of the theory.
