behaviourist approach

• What are the key assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

  -They believe we are born a 'blank slate' - a 'tabula rasa' - and not influenced by biology and nature

  -They believe much of our behaviour is learned through experiences in the environment

  -They focus on observable events only and rejecting using introspection and studying mental processes
• Who is seen as the main psychologist of the behaviourist approach?

  John Watson
• Describe classical conditioning

  Learning through association

  A response is automatically produced when exposed to a stimulus
• Explain Pavlov's research

  Pavlov (1927)

  • Noted dogs salivate in the presence of food but also in the presence of the person feeding them

  Before:

  • Bell (NS) -> No response (NR)
  • Food (UCS) -> Salivation (UCR)

  During:

  • Bell (NS) + Food (UCS) -> Salivation (UCR)

  After:

  • Bell (CS) -> Salivation (CR)
• Define generalisation

  Tendency for a stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit the same response
• Define discrimination

  Response to some stimuli but not others
• Define extinction

  When the conditioned stimulus no longer elicits the conditioned response
• Define spontaneous recovery

  The sudden reappearance of the conditioned response after a period of apparent extinction
• Explain operant conditioning

  Learning through past consequences

  Consequences determine whether behaviour is repeated or not

  • Positive reinforcement = providing something pleasant so behaviour is strengthened
  • Negative reinforcement = taking away something unpleasant so behaviour is strengthened
  • Positive punishment = providing something unpleasant so behaviour is weakened
  • Negative punishment = taking away something pleasant so behaviour is weakened
• Describe research into operant conditioning

  B.F. Skinner

  Designed a cage = Skinner Box

  • When the rat accidentally pressed the lever, food was delivered (positive reinforcement)
  • Results in the rat repeating the behaviour
  • In another experiment, when the rat placed the lever the unpleasant stimulus of the electric current is stopped (negative reinforcement)
  • Results in the rat repeating the behaviour