Behaviourist

• What is the behaviourist approach?

  The behaviorist approach is a psychological perspective that focuses on observable behavior and the environmental factors that influence it, while disregarding internal mental processes.
• What is classical conditioning?


  Classical conditioning is a type of learning in which an organism learns to associate a neutral stimulus with a meaningful stimulus, resulting in a conditioned response.
• What is the classical conditioning formula?


  UCS (Unconditioned Stimulus) + NS (Neutral Stimulus) = UCR (Unconditioned Response)
• What is operant conditioning?


  Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by the consequences that follow it.
• What is the formula for operant conditioning?


  Behavior + Consequences
• What is reinforcement?


  • A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated.
  • Can be positive or negative
• What are the main assumptions of the behaviourist approach?


  • Believe that all behaviour is learnt
  • A baby's mind is a blank slate
  • Relied on lab studies
• Describe Pavlov's research.


  • Pavlov's research on classical conditioning with dogs.
  • dogs would salivate not just when food was presented, but also in response to stimuli associated with food
  • conducted experiments where he paired a neutral stimulus (a bell) with the presentation of food. Initially, the bell elicited no response from the dogs. However, after several pairings of the bell with food, the dogs began to salivate merely in response to the sound of the bell, even when food was not presented.
• Describe Skinner's research


  In his experiments, Skinner placed rats inside the box, which contained a lever and a food dispenser. When a rat pressed the lever, a food pellet would be released as a reward. This reinforcement increased the likelihood that the rat would press the lever again, demonstrating operant conditioning—a process where behavior is modified by its consequences.
• What is positive reinforcement


  Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is formed
• What is negative reinforcement?

  Negative reinforcement is the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior.
• What is punishment?


  An unpleasant consequence of behaviour.
• A03 how is the behaviourist approach well controlled?


  • Focused on observable behaviour in a high controlled lab
  • Extraneous variables limited which enabled cause and effect relationships to be established
  • Suggests scientific credibility
• AO3 How did behaviourists over simplify the learning process?


  • Reduce dbehaviour to simple components and ignored cognitive functions
  • Learning more complex then observable behaviour
• A03 How has the behaviourist approach been applied to real life scenarios?


  • Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and behavior modification techniques have been used in therapy, education, animal training, and advertising.
  • Token economy systems
  • Widespread application therefore increases the value
• AO3 How does the behaviourist approach have environmental determinism?


  • Ignores free will
  • Bases all behaviour on reinforcement history
  • ignores influence of conscious decision-making behaviour