The behaviourist approach

• What is the Behaviourist approach?


  The behaviourist appraoch suggests behaviour is learned from direct experience

  • This means we should only study observable events which can be measured.
• More A01 for behaviourist apporach

  Its argues humans are born as "blank slates" so there is no genetic influence on our behaviour, and humans learn in the same way as animals, so it is valid to study behaviour.

  It explains behaviour in terms of basic learning known as conditioning - the formation of learned associations between stimuli in the environment and an organism's responses.
• What are the two types of behaviourist approaches?

  Classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
• What is Classical conditioning?

  A neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditional stimulus so that it eventually takes on the properties of this stimulus and is able to produce the conditioned response (i.e., Pavlov's dogs).
• Food (NS) -> Salivation (UCR)

  Bell (UCS) + Food (NS) -> Salvation (UCR)

  Bell (CS) -> Salvation (CR)
• What are the 4 important features of classical conditioning?

  • Timing
  • Extinction
  • Spontaneous recovery
  • Stimuli generalization
• Why is Timing an important feature of classical conditioning?

  If the NS cannot be used to predict the UCS (e.g. if it occurs after the UCS or the time interval between the two is too great), then conditioning cannot take place.
• Why is Extinction an feature important of classical conditioning?

  Pavlov discovered that unlike the UCR, the CR does not become permanently established as a response.
• Why is Spontaneous recovery an important feature of classical conditioning?

  Following extinction, if the CS and UCS are then paired together once again, the link between them is made much more quicky.
• Why is Stimuli generalization an important feature of classical conditioning?

  Pavlov discovered that once an animal has conditioned, they will also respond to other similar stimuli that are similar to the CS.
• What is Operant conditioning?

  Behaviour learnt through reinforcement or punishment.
• What is reinforcement?

  If a behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence, then that behaviour is more likely to occur again in the future.
• What are the 2 types of reinforcement?

  • Positive reinforcement
  • Negative reinforcement
• What is Positive reinforcement?

  This occurs when behaviour produces a consequence that is satisfying or pleasant for the organism.

  • (e.g., food to a hungry animal, or praise to a child after they do something well).
• What is Negative reinforcement?

  This is a removal of something aversive (unpleasant).

  • (e.g., the act of hitting the 'off' button on an alarm clock allows a person to escape from the unpleasant ringing and restores the restful pre-alarm state).
• What is Punishment?


  If a behaviour is followed by the application of an unpleasant consequence, the behaviour is less likely to occur again in the future.
• What are the 2 types of Punishment?

  • Positive punishment
  • Negative punishment
• What is Positive punishment?

  Adding something unpleasant as a consequence.

  • (e.g., slapping a naughty child).
• What is Negative punishment?

  Removing something pleasant.

  • (e.g., 'grounding' a naughty teenager).
• *Key difference between reinforcement and punishment is that one increases the likelihood of a behaviour (reinforcement) and the other decreases the likelihood (punishment).*
• What is a strength of the behaviourist approach?

  Scientific method

  • This is evident in Skinner’s research, which used the experimental method. By controlling variables, he could suggest a relationship between reinforcement and behaviour; he could manipulate the IV to show different reinforcement ratios; and he was observing something ‘measurable’ unlike methods used in introspection.
  • Therefore, behaviourism helped to develop techniques in psychology beyond the more subjective practices in introspection and psychoanalysis. Some argued this helped moved Psychology into the sciences.
• What is another strength of behaviourist approach?

  Practical application

  • because it used to explain behaviours it can help us develop solutions and treatments that do not require drugs.
  • Such as, flooding, or systematic desensitisation are used to remove the anxiety associated with phobias. It is based on classical conditioning, working to elimited the learn anxious response around a particular feared object and replaced it with another (relaxation).
• Continued info about practical application being a strength of the behaviourist approach:

  • These therapies might be easier for the patient because they require less thinking and talking. Likewise, Skinner’s principles, such as variable reinforcement ratios might explain problems like gambling addiction. Such knowledge can then be used to develop treatments.
• What is a limitation of the behaviourist approach?

  Reductionist

  • Studies like Skinner and Pavlov fail to see humans holistically.
  • This is a result of its experimental reductionism reducing concepts like learning do very basic components which do not reflect cognitive factors, emotional states or motivations. For example, Harlow’s monkeys showed that food is not always associated with happiness, instead the monkeys were keener to seek contact comfort.
• Continued info about reductionist being a limitation of the behaviourist approach:

  • Therefore, classical conditioning does not seem to give a good explanation of human behaviours which involve emotions. Despite this, the studies do have some strength in explaining relatively simple behaviours like phobias.
• What is another limitation of the behaviourist approach?

  Animal studies

  • Pavlov’s dogs and Skinner’s pigeons and rats.
  • This means such findings cannot necessarily be generalised to humans because our behaviours differ significantly from animals (i.e., humans have larger memory spans). As well, unlike non-human animals, humans have free will, and so their behaviour cannot be explained in terms of positive and negative reinforcement. Although Skinner argues that free will is illusionary and although we may believe we decide our behaviours, it’s a result of external factors.
• Continued info about animal studies being a limitation of the behaviourist approach:

  • Thus, if you agree with Skinner’s argument his findings can be used to develop our understanding of human behaviour.
  • It is important to note that if we believe our behaviour is determined by the environment it becomes harder to accept a justice system based on free will.