Assumptions
- We are all born a blank slate
- All behaviour is learned
- We all learn via the same basic processes
- Only directly observable behaviours should be studies
- UCS produces UCR as a reflex
Strengths
- Highly Scientific (empirical evidence, controlled studies allowing for replicability)
- Relevant: can explain phobias etc
- Highly researched to provide evidence: validated
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t fully explain human behaviour (eg repeat offenders)
- Deterministic, no free will
- Reductionist (only looks at stimuli and response, not the BB).
- Would be improved if it were interactionist (looks at how multiple factors interact)
- Usually looks at animals. Can we extrapolate, or are our minds too complex?
Classical Conditioning
An UCS will produce an UCR (reflex). The UCS can be associated with an NS to produce a CS, which will produce a conditioned response.
Classical Conditioning - Pavlov
Pavlov, noticing that a dog salivated upon seeing food, started ringing a bell before presenting food to the dog. Over time, the dog associated the bell sound with food, and began salivating at the bell sound.
Operant conditioning: Positive Reinforcement
Behaviour is rewarded with positive simuli to encourage it and increase the behaviour.
Operant conditioning: Negative Reinforcement
Behaviour removes a negative stimulus to encourage/increase the behaviour
Operant conditioning: Punishment
Behaviour is given a negative stimulus to discourage it and decrease the behaviour.
Skinner’s box
Skinner designed a box with a lever, a hatch for food and an electric floor.
SB: Positive Reinforcement
Pulling the lever will release food. Increases lever-pulling behaviour.
SB: Negative Reinforcement
Pulling the lever will turn off the electric floor. Increases lever-pulling behaviour.
SB: Punishment
Pulling the lever will turn on the electric floor. Decreases lever-pulling behaviour.
Pavlov’s Research - Strengths and Weaknesses
S:
- Scientific (controlled experiement, empirical evidence, falsifiable)
- Ethical, no dogs were harmed
W:
- Performed on dogs, not humans, so we can’t know that this is how human behaviour also comes about
- Reductionist, doesn’t describe our mind, only stimuli and response
Skinner’s Research - Strengths and Weaknesses
S:
- Scientific (controlled study, falsifiable, replicable)
W:
- Performed on animals, so we can’t know that this is how human behaviour works
- Not ethical (electrocuting animals)
- Reductionist, doesn’t describe our mind, only stimuli and response
