behavioural approach - operant

• The behaviourist approach is a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

  Assumptions:

  • We are born as a blank slate and everything we become is due to learning from our environment through conditioning
  • We should focus on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured (scientific)
  • It is valid to study the behaviour of animals as they share the same principles of learning
• Operant conditioning says we learn through consequences of our behaviour (through reinforcement and punishment)

  Types of consequences:

  • Positive reinforcement
  • Negative reinforcement
  • Punishment
• Positive reinforcement – a behaviour is more likely to reoccur because of positive consequences (adding something positive)

  e.g.

  The worker gets a bonus for working hard

  The dog gets a treat for returning when called

  A child gets dessert for eating vegetables
• Negative reinforcement – a behaviour is more likely to reoccur to avoid negative consequences (taking away something negative)

  e.g.

  The car buzzer turns off when you put your seatbelt on

  Tidying your desk before revising

  Giving a baby a dummy to stop it crying
• Punishment – a behaviour is less likely to reoccur because of negative consequences

  e.g.

  A driver getting a ticket and fine for speeding

  A child’s hand being burned when touching a hot stove
• weakness -

  Although behaviours such as skinners box and little Albert led to advancements in psychology, the ethics are questionable e.g. animals were kept in poor conditions, little albert developed severe phobias etc.

  This calls into question whether what we learn from these studies justifies the animals and participants treatments.
• strength -

  Behaviourism has made significant contributions to psychology e.g. insights into language, moral development and treating mental health disorders e.g. phobias.

  There are valuable real-world applications of this approach which has led to advances within our understanding of behaviour.
• weakness -

  The behaviourist approach emphasises the role of learning in behaviour and doesn’t acknowledge other explanations e.g. biological factors.

  Behaviourism only provides a partial account of human behaviour and is reductionist, potentially preventing research into other important factors.