The behaviourist approach

• What do behaviourists study?

  Behaviourists study behaviour that can be observed and measured.
• Why did John Watson reject introspection?

  He rejected introspection because it involved too many vague concepts that were difficult to measure.
• How do behaviourists maintain control and objectivity in their studies?

  They rely on lab experiments.
• What are the key components of a lab experiment in behaviourism?

  • Independent Variable (IV) can be changed/manipulated
  • Dependent Variable (DV) can be measured and linked to the IV
  • Ability to control variables to provide a clear link between IV and DV
  • Extraneous variables can be removed
• What is the significance of high internal validity in lab experiments?

  High internal validity allows for a clear link between the independent and dependent variables.
• What is a drawback of lab experiments in behaviourism?

  They lack ecological validity.
• Why do lab experiments lack ecological validity?

  Because they do not reflect everyday life events that humans respond to.
• What are demand characteristics in lab experiments?


  Demand characteristics occur when participants try to respond in the way they believe the researcher wants them to.
• What theory did behaviourists follow regarding behaviour?

  Behaviourists followed Darwin's theory that behaviour is learnt no matter what species.
• How did the behaviourist approach affect the use of animals in experiments?

  It meant they could replace humans with animals in experiments.
• What is classical conditioning?

  • Learning through association
  • Involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response
• Who was the first behaviourist to demonstrate classical conditioning?

  Pavlov was the first behaviourist to demonstrate classical conditioning in dogs.
• What are the stages of classical conditioning as demonstrated by Pavlov?

  Before conditioning:

  • Food (UCS) → Salivation (UCR)
  • Bell → no response

  
  

  During conditioning:

  • Bell (NS) → Salivation (UCR)
  • Food (UCS)

  
  

  After conditioning:

  • Bell (CS) → Salivation (CR)
• Who proposed the concept of operant conditioning?


  BF Skinner
• What does BF Skinner suggest about the nature of learning?


  Learning is an active process where organisms operate on their environment
• What are the three types of consequences of behavior in operant conditioning?


  • Positive reinforcement
  • Negative reinforcement
  • Punishment
• What is positive reinforcement?


  Receiving a reward for performing a certain behavior
• Can you give an example of positive reinforcement?


  Praise from a teacher for answering a question correctly
• What is negative reinforcement?


  Avoiding something unpleasant as a result of a behavior
• How does a student experience negative reinforcement?


  By handing in an essay to avoid being told off
• How might a rat learn through negative reinforcement?


  By pressing a lever to avoid an electric shock
• What is punishment in the context of operant conditioning?


  An unpleasant consequence of behavior
• Can you provide an example of punishment?


  Being shouted at by a teacher for talking during a lesson
• How do positive and negative reinforcement affect behavior?

  • Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of behavior being repeated
  • Negative reinforcement also increases the likelihood of behavior being repeated
  • Punishment decreases the likelihood of behavior being repeated
• What is the Skinner Box used for in operant conditioning experiments?


  • Conduct experiments with rats
  • Allow animals to press levers
  • Provide rewards for specific behaviors