The behaviourist approach

• Who are often considered the first scientific psychologists?

  Behaviorists
• Why do behaviorists focus on observable actions?

  To maintain objectivity in their research
• What do behaviorists conduct experiments on?

  Stimulus and response mechanisms
• What is a major sacrifice made by behaviorists in their research?

  They ignore internal mental processes
• What is the behaviorist view of the mind?

  The mind is a black box
• What are the three features of the Psych Boost app?

  • Flashcards
  • Multiple choice quizzes
  • Key term tester
• What are the two main types of conditioning discussed?

  Pavlovian classical conditioning and Skinnerian operant conditioning
• What do behaviorists believe about the origin of behavior?

  It originates from interaction with the environment
• How do behaviorists view the study of psychology?

  It should focus on objectively measurable behaviors
• What is a stimulus in behaviorist research?

  An event that elicits a response
• What is the role of the environment in behavior according to behaviorists?

  It determines and predicts behavior
• Who developed the theory of classical conditioning?

  Ivan Pavlov
• What did Pavlov observe in his dogs?

  They salivated before seeing food
• What is classical conditioning also known as?

  Learning by association
• What happens to a neutral stimulus in classical conditioning?

  It becomes a conditioned stimulus
• How can classical conditioning explain phobias?

  By associating a neutral stimulus with fear
• Who is known for operant conditioning?

  BF Skinner
• What is operant conditioning based on?

  Learning from the consequences of actions
• What is positive reinforcement?

  Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behavior
• What is negative reinforcement?

  Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior
• What is punishment in operant conditioning?

  Reduction of behavior through consequences
• What is positive punishment?

  Adding an unpleasant stimulus to reduce behavior
• What is negative punishment?

  Removing a pleasant stimulus to reduce behavior
• How can behavior shaping be achieved?

  By rewarding increasingly complex behaviors
• What is extinction in operant conditioning?

  Stopping behavior when consequences cease
• How do classical and operant conditioning differ?

  Classical is involuntary; operant is voluntary
• How does classical conditioning explain phobias?

  By associating fear with a neutral object
• What are the strengths of the behaviorist approach?

  • Focus on objective observation
  • Ability to demonstrate cause and effect
  • Standardized procedures for replication
• What are the weaknesses of the behaviorist approach?

  • Generalization issues to humans
  • Overly reductionist perspective
  • Ethical concerns in controlling behavior
• What are some real-life applications of behaviorism?

  Counter conditioning, token economies, classroom management
• Why is generalization of animal studies to humans problematic?

  Humans have complex social lives
• What ethical concerns arise from behaviorism?

  It can be seen as manipulative
• How can conditioning techniques be misused?

  To manipulate behavior for profit
• What is a criticism of behaviorism's reductionist approach?

  It oversimplifies complex human behaviors
• What alternative explanations for behavior exist beyond behaviorism?

  Social learning, unconscious mind, biology
• What are the implications of behaviorism in psychology?

  • Raised psychology's scientific status
  • Effective in treatment and management
  • Ethical concerns regarding manipulation