STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

• Strength- Supporting evidence for classical conditioning:

  • Little Albert experiment (conducted by WATSON & RAYNOR)
  • Boy conditioned to have a phobia of white rats- researchers hammered steel bar behind his back (Albert conditioned to develop a phobia of other furry objects)
  • Increases the validity- demonstrates concept of classical conditioning in a real-world context 
• Weakness- Opposing theory for classical and operant conditioning:

  • Core beliefs- behaviour is learnt through classical or operant conditioning
  • Biological Approach- argues that genes play an important role in determining behaviour
  • Decreases the validity of the approach- near exclusion of innate / inherited factors that influence behaviour
• Strength- High Testability:

  • Lab experiments used in classical and operant conditioning (testing)
  • High control over extraneous variables
  • Data obtained- objective and measurable
  • High scientific credibility