The behaviourist approach

• What is the behaviourist approach?

  A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
• What is classical conditioning?

  Learning by association. Occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together - an unconditioned stimulus and a new 'neutral' stimulus. The neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the unconditioned stimulus alone.
• Pavlov's research

  Pavlov revealed that dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time as they were given food. Gradually, Pavlov's dogs learned to associate the sound of the bell with the food and would produce the salivation response every time they heard the sound.
• What is operant conditioning?

  A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment.
• What is positive reinforcement?

  Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed.
• What is negative reinforcement?

  Occurs when an animal or human avoids something unpleasant.
• What is a punishment?

  An unpleasant consequence of behaviour.
• Skinner's research


  Skinner conducted experiments with rats in specially designed cages called 'Skinner Boxes'. Every time the rat activated a lever within the box it was rewarded with a food pellet. From then on the animal would continue to perform the behaviour.
• AO3 - Scientific credibility:

  By emphasising the importance of scientific processes such as objectivity and replication, behaviourism was influential in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline, giving it greater credibility and status.
• AO3 - Real-life application:


  Operant conditioning is the basis of token economy systems that have been used successfully in institutions. These work by rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens that can then be exchanged for privileges.
• AO3 - Environmental determinism:

  The behaviourist approach sees all behaviour as determined by past experiences that have been conditioned. This ignores any possible influence that free will may have on behaviour. There are other important determinants on behaviour, including biological factors that the behaviourist approach fails to properly address.
• AO3 - Ethical and practical issues in animal experiments:

  The animals involved in the 'Skinner Box' were exposed to stressful and aversive conditions, which may also have affected how they reacted to the experimental situation.