Approaches: The behaviourist approach (2)

• What is the fundamental assumption of behaviourism regarding human development?


  We are born as a blank slate, shaped by learning from our environment.
• How does behaviourism position itself in the nature-nurture debate?


  It takes the extreme 'nurture' position.
• What does behaviourism argue should be the focus of psychology?


  Observable behaviour that can be objectively measured.
• What method does behaviourism reject in psychological research?


  Introspection.
• What type of experiments does behaviourism consider the best for achieving its goals?


  Lab experiments.
• What are the two main forms of learning in behaviourism?


  • Classical conditioning
  • Operant conditioning
• Who is associated with classical conditioning in behaviourism?


  Pavlov.
• What is the process of learning through association called?

  Classical conditioning.
• What are the stages of classical conditioning?


  1. Before conditioning: NS (Bell), UCS (Food), UCR (Salivation)
  2. During conditioning: Pairing NS and UCS
  3. After conditioning: CS (Bell), CR (Salivation)
• In classical conditioning, what does NS stand for?


  Neutral stimulus.
• In classical conditioning, what does UCS stand for?


  Unconditioned stimulus.
• In classical conditioning, what does UCR stand for?


  Unconditioned response.
• In classical conditioning, what does CS stand for?


  Conditioned stimulus.
• In classical conditioning, what does CR stand for?


  Conditioned response.
• Who is associated with operant conditioning in behaviourism?


  Skinner.
• What is the process of learning through consequences called?

  Operant conditioning.
• What was the setup of Skinner's rat/pigeon experiment?


  • Rat is hungry and explores
  • A pellet of food appears
  • Rat accidentally presses the lever
  • Result: Rat learns to repeat the behaviour
• What is negative reinforcement?


  Increasing the likelihood of behaviour by removing unpleasant consequences.
• What is punishment in behaviourism?


  Decreasing the likelihood of behaviour by using unpleasant consequences.
• What is positive reinforcement?


  Increasing the likelihood of behaviour by using pleasant consequences.
• What is reinforcement in behaviourism?


  Anything that increases the likelihood of behaviour being repeated.
• What are the two types of reinforcement schedules?


  1. Continuous reinforcement: Reinforced every time behaviour occurs.
  2. Partial reinforcement: Reinforced only part of the time.
• How does continuous reinforcement affect behaviour?


  It may result in a stronger response.
• How does partial reinforcement affect behaviour?


  It has a weaker effect on the response.
• What does the behaviourist approach focus on?


  Observable events, specifically stimuli and responses
• Why is the behaviourist approach sometimes referred to as 'learning theory'?


  Because it emphasizes the focus on learning processes
• What is conditioning in the context of the behaviourist approach?


  A basic form of learning involving associations between stimuli and responses
• What are the two influential forms of conditioning discussed in the behaviourist approach?

  • Classical conditioning (Pavlov's research)
  • Operant conditioning (Skinner's research)
• What is classical conditioning?


  A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus
• What are natural reflexes in classical conditioning?


  Reflex actions that occur in response to specific stimuli, like salivation when food is present
• What happens when other stimuli are consistently associated with a natural stimulus?


  They can eventually trigger the same response as the natural stimulus
• Who is credited with discovering classical conditioning?

  Ivan Pavlov
• What did Pavlov notice during his research on dogs?


  Dogs salivated not only at food but also at stimuli associated with food
• What is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in classical conditioning?


  The natural stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response
• What is the unconditioned response (UCR)?


  The natural response to an unconditioned stimulus
• What occurs during the acquisition phase of classical conditioning?


  A neutral stimulus is presented shortly before the unconditioned stimulus
• What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?


  A previously neutral stimulus that now elicits a conditioned response
• What is a conditioned response (CR)?


  The learned response to a conditioned stimulus
• What happens when a bell is rung before presenting food to a hungry animal?

  The bell becomes a conditioned stimulus that induces salivation
• What are the important features of classical conditioning?


  • Timing: NS must predict UCS
  • Generalisation: Responding to similar stimuli
  • Extinction: Loss of CR when CS is presented without UCS
  • Spontaneous recovery: Quick re-establishment of CR after extinction
  • Discriminatory generalisation: Responding to similar stimuli