Way of explaining behaviour - what you can observe
Classical Conditioning
Learning by association
Two stimuli repeatedly paired together
Operant Conditioning
Behaviour shaped and maintained by its consequence
Consequences include positive and negative reinforcement and punishment
Reinforcement
Consequence of behaviour that increases likelihood of that behaviour being repeated. Can be positive or negative
How did behaviourists try to maintain more control and objectivity within their research?
Lab studies
How is classical conditioning learned?
Through association
Operant conditioning - What did B.F. Skinner suggest that learning was?
An active process whereby humans and animals operate on their environment
How is behaviour shaped in operant conditioning?
By consequences
What is positive reinforcement?
Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed - like receiving praise from a teacher
What is negative reinforcement?
Occurs when we avoid something unpleasant
Outcome is positive experience - e.g. when student hands in essay so they wont be told off, avoidance of something unpleasant is the negative reinforcement
What is punishment?
Unpleasant consequence of behaviour
What is one strength of the behaviouristapproach?
Based on well controlled research
What is a problem with the behaviourist approach?
Behaviourists may have oversimplified the learning process