Behaviourist Approach

• 1. Generalisation - If something similar to the original trigger (like a bell that sounds almost the same) is presented, it will still cause the same reaction
• Principles Of Classical Conditioning - Generalisation, Discrimination, Extinction, Spontaneous Recovery, Higher Order Conditioning
• Discrimination - If a stimulus similar to the original one does not cause the same response, this happens when the animal or person can tell the difference between them
• Extinction - If the conditioned stimulus (like the bell) is repeatedly present without the unconditioned stimulus (like food), the conditioned response (salivating) will eventually disappear.
• Spontaneous Recovery - If a conditioned response that had disappeared comes back after the conditioned stimulus is presented again following a rest period. e.g After not hearing the bell for a while, if the bell rings again, the dog might start salivating even though it had stopped before.
• Higher Order Conditioning - A new stimulus can become a conditioned stimulus if it is associated with the original conditioned stimulus. e.g. If a light is turned on just before the bell rings, eventually the light alone can cause the dogs to salivate.
• Reductionism


  The theory that everything can be reduced to simple cause and effects relationships
• Reductionism was a popular idea through the 19th century but has tailed off in the modern era
• Behaviorism


  Also known as learning theory, it began in the USA in the early 20th century
• Theoretical assumptions of behaviorism

  • Nearly all human behavior is learnt
  • Animals and humans learn in basically similar ways
  • The mind isn't relevant, only observable and quantifiable behavior
• Classical conditioning


  A process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that naturally produces a response, resulting in that neutral stimulus also producing the response
• Steps in classical conditioning

  1. Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) --> unconditioned response (UCR)

  2. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) + Neutral Stimulus (NS) --> unconditioned response (UCR)

  3. Conditioned stimulus (CS) --> Conditioned response (CR)
• Principles of classical conditioning

  • Generalization
  • Discrimination
  • Extinction
  • Spontaneous recovery
  • Higher order conditioning
• Operant conditioning


  A learning process where the likelihood of a behavior occurring is influenced by the consequences that follow that behavior
• Processes of operant conditioning

  • Positive reinforcement
  • Negative reinforcement
• Much of the research in behaviorism has used animal studies with dubious ethics
• Some of the studies that have used human participants have also been deeply unethical and flawed
• Social learning theory


  An advancement on behaviorism that examines human social behavior, developed by Bandura in the 1960s
• Conditions for learning through vicarious reinforcement

  • Attention
  • Retention
  • Reproduction
  • Motivation
• Who is the main figure discussed in the video related to behaviorism and classical conditioning?

  Ivan Pavlov
• What is the focus of the video series mentioned in the study material?

  The series explores different approaches in psychology.
• What is the behaviorist approach categorized under?


  Learning theories
• Who is John B. Watson and what is his view on behavior?


  He believed that behavior is shaped by the environment.
• What does Watson mean by "men are built not born"?


  He suggests that behavior can be shaped through environmental influences.
• What does the term "tabula rasa" refer to in behaviorism?


  It refers to the idea that individuals are born as blank slates.
• What is the main goal of behavioristic psychology according to Watson?


  To predict behavior based on stimuli.
• What are the two parts of learning according to behaviorists?

  Classical conditioning and operant conditioning
• What did Ivan Pavlov win the Nobel Prize for?


  His research on the digestive system of dogs.
• What phenomenon did Pavlov observe with dogs during his research?


  Dogs salivated before food was presented.
• What is classical conditioning?


  Learning through association between stimuli.
• What is the neutral stimulus in Pavlov's experiment?


  The bell
• What is the unconditioned stimulus in Pavlov's experiment?


  The food
• What happens when the neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are paired together?


  They become associated, leading to a conditioned response.
• What is a conditioned stimulus after learning has occurred?


  The bell becomes a conditioned stimulus.
• What type of behaviors does classical conditioning apply to?


  Involuntary reflex behaviors.
• What is generalization in classical conditioning?


  When a conditioned response occurs to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.
• What is discrimination in classical conditioning?


  When a subject can distinguish between different stimuli.
• What is extinction in classical conditioning?


  The gradual weakening of a conditioned response.
• How does spontaneous recovery occur in classical conditioning?


  It is the re-emergence of a conditioned response after extinction.
• What are the key concepts of classical conditioning as demonstrated by Pavlov?


  • Neutral stimulus (bell)
  • Unconditioned stimulus (food)
  • Conditioned stimulus (bell after learning)
  • Conditioned response (salivation)
  • Generalization, discrimination, extinction, spontaneous recovery