operant conditioning evaluation

Question 1

what is the issue with research on animals in labs?

Answer 1

• issues with generalisability due to evolutionary discontinuity
• e.g. animals may be driven by more inate factors and so too different to compare to humans

Question 2

why is operant conditioning better than classical conditioning?

Answer 2

• explains a wider range of behaviours
• classical conditioning only looks at reflex behaviours in new situations, operant looks at voluntary behaviour too

Question 3

what is a practical aplication of operant conditioning?

Answer 3

• used in behaviour shaping
• e.g. to teach specific social skills to children with autism
• language is developed and reinforcers maintained when this behaviour is shown

Question 4

what is an issue with individual differences?

Answer 4

• different individuals respond differently to the same stimulus
• other factors must be involved such as cognition
• possible that some people are born with predispositions to certain behaviours

Question 5

why is a large amount of research being scientific such as MRI scans beneficial?

Answer 5

• every step in the process is observable with clear objective measures
• increases scientific credibility

Question 6

how can the application of token economies work?

Answer 6

• list of desirable behaviours is made and tokens and reinforcers are given when these are shown
• undesirable behaviour can be made extinct using lack of reinforcement

Question 7

what is the supporting study of Field et al?

Answer 7

• treatment of young people with behavioural problems involving group work and TEP
• effectieve on the whole and for those who didnt respond a programme was able to be put into place where rewards were more immediate and found to be successful

Question 8

why is the theory reductionist?

Answer 8

• ignores any role of cognition and instead looks at only behaviours

Question 9

does it explain the aquisition of behaviours or the maintainance?

Answer 9

• only looks at the maintenance of behaviours doesnt explain how they are acquired in the first place