behaviourist approach

• What is the main focus of behaviorism in psychology?

  Observable behavior and environmental responses
• How do behaviorists believe we learn to respond to stimuli?

  Through experience and environmental interactions
• What are the two key theories in behaviorism?

  Classical conditioning and operant conditioning
• Who developed classical conditioning?

  Ivan Pavlov
• What does classical conditioning involve?

  Learning via association between stimuli
• What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

  A stimulus that naturally triggers a response
• What is a neutral stimulus (NS) in classical conditioning?

  A stimulus that initially elicits no response
• What happens during the conditioning phase?

  The UCS is paired with the NS
• What is the conditioned stimulus (CS) after conditioning?

  The NS that now triggers a conditioned response
• What is the conditioned response (CR)?

  The learned response to the conditioned stimulus
• What are the stages of classical conditioning?

  1. Before conditioning: UCS → UCR, NS → no response
  2. During conditioning: UCS + NS → UCR
  3. After conditioning: CS → CR
• What is one trial learning in classical conditioning?

  Learning can occur in a single pairing
• What is extinction in classical conditioning?

  Gradual decline of the conditioned response
• What is spontaneous recovery?

  The reappearance of the conditioned response after extinction
• What is generalization in classical conditioning?

  Similar stimuli trigger the conditioned response
• Who demonstrated classical conditioning with dogs?

  Pavlov
• What was the procedure in Pavlov's experiment?

  Bell rung with food to condition salivation
• What is operant conditioning?

  Learning based on consequences of actions
• Who developed operant conditioning?

  B.F. Skinner
• What are reinforcers in operant conditioning?

  Responses that increase the likelihood of behavior
• What is positive reinforcement?

  Behavior followed by a pleasant consequence
• What is negative reinforcement?

  Behavior that stops something unpleasant
• What is punishment in operant conditioning?

  Unpleasant consequence that decreases behavior frequency
• What are the types of reinforcement and punishment?

  • Positive reinforcement: Increases behavior with pleasant outcomes
  • Negative reinforcement: Increases behavior by stopping unpleasant outcomes
  • Punishment: Decreases behavior with unpleasant outcomes
• What is behavior shaping in operant conditioning?

  Reinforcing successive approximations to a desired behavior
• What is a continuous reinforcement schedule?

  Reinforcing behavior every time it occurs
• What is a partial reinforcement schedule?

  Reinforcing behavior at intervals or ratios
• What is the Skinner box used for?

  To study operant conditioning in animals
• What does positive reinforcement explain in the Skinner box?

  The rat learns to press the lever for food
• What does negative reinforcement explain in the Skinner box?

  The rat avoids electric shock by pressing the lever
• What does punishment explain in the Skinner box?

  The rat receives a shock for pressing the lever
• What is a strength of Skinner's research?

  Conducted under tightly controlled conditions
• What is a limitation of Skinner's research regarding generalizability?

  Findings may not apply to humans
• What is a limitation of Skinner's research regarding ethics?

  Use of electric shocks on passive animals
• What are the strengths of the behaviorist approach?

  • Evidence supporting classical and operant conditioning
  • Practical applications in therapy for phobias and addictions
  • Credibility as a science with rigorous testing
• What are the limitations of the behaviorist approach?

  • Limited view on origins of behavior
  • Ignores biological influences and mental processes
  • Considered an incomplete explanation of behavior
• How does Skinner view free will?

  He considers it an illusion influenced by conditioning
• What does the free will/determinism debate involve?

  The role of choice in human experiences