Behaviourist

• What 3 assumptions are made within the Behaviorist approach?

  1. Psychologists should only record observable behaviours (empirical evidence)
  2. Most behaviour is learned - changes in the environment
  3. You can use animal research to reach conclusions about human behaviours because they have the same learning mechanisms.
• What are the 2 learning mechanisms?

  Classical conditioning and Operant conditioning
• What is classical conditioning?

  When something neutral becomes associated with something that already causes a response.
• What is Operant conditioning?

  When someone learns to associate their own actions with an outcome.
• What is reinforcement?

  When operant conditioning makes someone more likely to repeat a behaviour.
• What are the 3 types of reinforcement?

  Positive, Negative and Punishment
• What is Punishment (reinforcement)

  When a negative outcome makes you less likely to repeat a behaviour
• What is Positive reinforcement?


  Where a person is more likely to do something due to receiving a reward.
• What is Negative reinforcement?

  Where someone is more likely because something negative is taken away.
• What 2 studies are in support of classical and operant conditioning?

  Pavlov 1903 and Skinner 1948
• Describe Pavlov's 1903 study

  The production of saliva in dogs in the presence of different stimuli.

  Before:

  Neutral stimuli (bell) ----> No response

  Unconditioned stimuli (food) ----> Unconditioned response (salivation)

  During:

  Neutral stimuli (bell) + Unconditioned stimuli (food) ---> Unconditioned Responce (salivation)

  After:

  Conditioned stimuli (bell) ----> Conditioned response (salivation)
• Describe Skinner's 1948 experiment

  Rats behaviour is tested when an outcome and action is performed

  He tested reinforcement on rats within a glass box (that held a leaver, a shock floor, and a cheese dispenser)

  
  

  Positive Reinforcement:

  If the rat pushes the leaver it will receive cheese

  
  

  Negative Reinforcement:

  If the rat pushes the leaver constant shocks stop for a period of time.