behaviourist

• classical conditioning

  learning occurs through the pairing of a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus that produces an automatic response due to association

  
• thorndike (1889)


  using cats in puzzle boxes leads to the principles of operant conditioning- learning by consequence
• positive reinforcement 


  behaviour is more likely to occur because of the positive consequences eg rat pulls lever for pellet
• negative reinforcement 


  behaviour is more likely to occur to avoid negative consequences eg rat presses lever to stop floor being electrified
• punishment

  behaviour is less likely to occus because of the negative consequences eg rat doesnt pull lever as it electrifies the floor
• variable ratio schedule

  reinforcing the behaviour at random/unpredictable intervals is most resistant to extinction
• strengths of behaviourist approach

  -scientific methods

  -real world applications
• weakness of behaviourist approach

  -use of animal research may not generalise to humans

  -lack of biology

  -deterministic