3 main assumptions

• 1. Nearly all behaviour is learnt
  2. Animals and humans learn in the same ways
  3. The mind is irrelevant
• Nearly all behaviour is learnt

  • Only exceptions are few inborn reflexes and few inborn instincts
  • Genetics can influence psychological features development of schizophrenia
  • Learning not genetics is the cause of most behaviours
• Animals and humans learn in the same ways

  • Humans can do more complex things than other animals
  • Principles in the way we learn are the same
  • Idea we can form stimulus-response associations
  • Humans use other forms of learning such as social learning
• Mind is irrelevant

  • We can't directly observe and measure a person's thinking
  • Can only obtain measurable data
  • Cognitive abilities cannot be directly measured
• Assumptions to design research methods:

  Nearly all behaviour is learnt

  Understanding principles of learning is the main research goal
• Assumptions to design research methods:

  Animals and humans learn in the same ways

  • Animals used as research subjective as what is true for them should be true for humans
  • Practical advantages
• Assumptions to design research methods

  Mind is irrelevant

  Behaviourists only observe quantifiable behaviour

  Most research in labs