Behaviourist approach

Question 1

What is the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observerable and learning

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

Learning by association. Occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly put together

Question 3

Operant conditioning

Answer 3

A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. These include reinforcement and punishment

Question 4

Reinforcement

Answer 4

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated. Can be positive or negative

Question 5

What are the core assumptions?

Answer 5

1. Behaviour is learned from experience 2. Humans are all born as a blank slate, there is no genetic influence on behaviour 3. only observable behaviour is scientific and measurable, this is what should be studied 4. It is valid to study animals as they share the same principles of living as humans

Question 6

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 6

Receiving reward when a certain behaviour is shown

Question 7

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 7

When we avoid something unpleasant and the outcome is positive experience e.g. putting a hand up to avoid being told off

Question 8

What is punishment?

Answer 8

Negative consequence of behaviour

Question 9

What do the different reinforcements and punishment achieve?

Answer 9

Positive and negative reinforcement increase the likelihood of behaviour recurring but punishment decreases the likelihood

Question 10

What is the skinner box? (operant conditioning chamber)

Answer 10

• Rats were put in specially designed boxes, every time a rat activated a lever, it was given food pellets. Therefore the rat continued the behaviour. (POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT)
• Rats were put into the box and there would be an electric current which caused them discomfort. When they activated the lever it would stop. So therefore everytime they were put in the box they would activate the lever. (NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT)

Question 11

What core assumption does the skinner box link to?

Answer 11

• ‘It is valid to study animals as they share the same principles of learning as with humans’

Question 12

Strengths of the approach?

Answer 12

• Based on well-controlled research in a highly controlled lab setting (extraneous variables removed)
  
  • Skinner showed reinforcement influenced animals behaviour
  • Behaviourist experiments have scientific credibility
• Principles of conditioning have been applied to real life behaviours
  
  • Operant conditioning basis of token economy systems in institutions like prisons and psychiatric wards
  • Classical conditioning has been applied to treatment of phobias

Question 13

Weaknesses of approach

Answer 13

• Oversimplified learning process - behaviourists ignored important influence on human behaviour, human thought
• Behaviour is conditioned from past experience so it determines the outcome
  
  • Ignores influence of free will on behaviour
  • Ignores influence on conscious decision
• Ethical issues as animals were kept in harsh conditions and always hungry