behaviourist approach

• what is the behaviourist approach ?

  a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
• what is classical conditioning?

  learning by association. it occurs when 2 stimuli are repeatedly paired together (an unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus) the neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response as the unconditioned stimulus first produce.
• what is operant conditioning?

  a form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences (positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment)
• what is positive reinforcement?

  receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed. increases the likelihood of that behaviour happening again.
• what is negative reinforcement?

  when an animal or human avoids something unpleasant to get an overall positive experience. increases the likelihood of that behaviour happening again.
• what is punishment?

  an unpleasant consequence of a behaviour. reducing the likelihood of that behaviour happening again.
• what does skinners rat do to show positive reinforcement?

  it presses down a lever to receive the reward of food.
• what does skinners rat do to show negative reinforcement?

  by pressing down on the lever to prevent an unpleasant stimulus of an electric shock.
• how does skinners rat show punishment?

  it is getting an electric shock every time it presses the lever, reducing the behaviour.
• explain pavlovs research

  used classical conditioning to condition a dog to salivate at the ring of a bell.

  1. ucs (food) —> ucr (salivation)
  2. ns (bell) —> nr (no salivation)
  3. ucs (food) + ns (bell) —> ucr (salivation)
  4. repeat step 3 many times
  5. cs (bell) —> cr (salivation)
• strengths of behaviourist approach?

  + well controlled research: observable behaviour, lab setting, suggests scientific credibility.

  + real world application: operant conditioning often used successfully in prisons or psych wards (rewarding behaviour), classical conditioning can be used to treat phobias, widespread application increases value of approach.
• limitations of behaviourist approach?

  • environmental determinism: sees all behaviour as conditioned by past experiences, ignores influence of free will on behaviour.
  • reductionist/oversimplified: reducing behaviour to simple component, ignores influence of human thoughts on behaviour.
• key assumptions of the behaviourist approach

  • only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and measured.
  • use of lab studies.
  • belief that all behaviour is learnt.
  • the basic processes are the same in all species - so use of animal studies.
  • identified classical and operant conditioning.