Behaviourist Approach

• What does the learning approach suggest about behavior?

  All behavior is a result of previous experiences and is learnt.
• What are the two main theories through which behavior can be learnt?

  • Behaviourist approach
  • Social learning theory
• What do behaviourists believe about the study of behaviour?

  Only observable behaviour should be studied as thought processes are subjective.
• What do behaviourists state about the learning process in humans and animals?

  Humans and other animals learn behaviour in the same way.
• What do behaviourists claim about the influence of genetics on behaviour?

  They state that genetics do not influence behaviour.
• What are the two ways behaviour can be learnt according to behaviourists?

  • Classical conditioning
  • Operant conditioning
• What does classical conditioning state about behaviour learning?

  Behaviour is learnt via association between two stimuli.
• What are the two types of stimuli involved in classical conditioning?

  Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and neutral stimulus (NS).
• What happens to the neutral stimulus after conditioning in classical conditioning?

  The neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS).
• What is the conditioned response (CR) in classical conditioning?

  The conditioned response is the same as the unconditioned response (UCR) but is now a learnt response to the NS.
• Who first demonstrated classical conditioning?

  Ivan Pavlov.
• What did Pavlov's research reveal about dogs?

  Dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell when paired with food.
• How did Pavlov demonstrate the concept of classical conditioning?

  By showing that a neutral stimulus can elicit a conditioned response without the unconditioned stimulus present.
• What is operant conditioning?

  • Behaviour is learnt via the consequences of actions.
  • Positive or negative consequences influence the likelihood of behaviour being repeated.
• What is the role of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

  Reinforcement strengthens a particular behaviour, making it more likely to occur.
• What are the two main types of reinforcement?

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

  It increases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated by providing a pleasant consequence.
• What is negative reinforcement?

  It increases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated by removing something unpleasant.
• What did Skinner devise for his research on operant conditioning?

  The Skinner box.
• How does the Skinner box work?

  It records the frequency of lever pressing by an animal to receive food as a reward.
• What happens when a hungry rat presses the lever in the Skinner box?

  The rat receives food, which serves as positive reinforcement.
• What is the effect of unpleasant stimuli in the Skinner box?

  Unpleasant stimuli can be switched off by pressing the lever, leading to negative reinforcement.
• What are the key concepts of reinforcement and punishment?

  • Positive reinforcement: Satisfying consequence increases behaviour.
  • Negative reinforcement: Removal of unpleasant consequence increases behaviour.
  • Positive punishment: Unpleasant consequence decreases behaviour.
  • Negative punishment: Removal of pleasant consequence decreases behaviour.
• What did Watson and Rayner's study demonstrate about phobias?

  Phobias can be learnt through associating an unconditioned stimulus with a neutral stimulus.
• What was the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in Watson and Rayner's study?

  The loud noise.
• What was the neutral stimulus (NS) in Watson and Rayner's study?

  The white rat.
• What is a practical application of classical conditioning?

  Systematic desensitisation is based on classical conditioning principles and involves patients learning to associate a phobic stimulus with relaxation
• What did Gilroy et al (2003) find about systematic desensitization?

  It was successful in treating spider phobia.
• What are the strengths of operant conditioning?

  • Supporting research shows learning via operant conditioning.
  • Practical applications in treatments like token economies.
• What did Levin et al (2010) demonstrate about nicotine and rats?


  Rats preferred licking the nicotine waterspout, indicating positive reinforcement.
• What are token economies used for?

  They are used in the treatment of schizophrenia and involve patients receiving tokens when they have carried out a desirable behaviour and exchanging these for a reward
• What are the limitations of the behaviourist approach?

  • Environmental determinism limits free will.
  • Use of animals in research may not accurately apply to humans.
  • Ignores the role of biology in behaviour.
• What does environmental determinism imply about behaviour?

  It implies that behaviour is solely a result of past learnt behaviour.
• Why is the use of animals in behaviourist research a limitation?

  Because there are differences between humans and animals that affect the applicability of findings.
• What does the behaviourist approach ignore about human behaviour?

  It ignores the role of biology, such as genetics and neurotransmitters.