behaviourist perspective

• principles

  1. study of human behaviour should be focussed on what is directly observable
  2. behaviour is the product of environmental factors
  3. behaviour is a learned process
• classical conditioning - learning through association of two stimuli, e.g. pavlovs dogs.

  • an unconditioned stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned response
• using classical conditioning in humans - Watson and Rayner

  • attempted to create a fear of white rats using a loud noise when Albert went near a rat
  • created a fear of all white animals
• operant conditioning - behaviours are learned by consequences either positive (reinforcement) or negative (punishment)

  • reinforcement can be positive - introduction of something pleasant, or negative - removal of an unpleasant stimulus
  • punishment can be positive - addition of unpleasant stimulus, or negative - removal of pleasant stimulus
• core studies that illustrate the area

  • bandura - social learning theory
  • Chaney - uses positive reinforcement
• applications

  • aversion therapy - based upon principles of classical conditioning, designed to cause a person to associate the undesirable behaviour with the unpleasant stimulus
  • token economies - based off operant conditioning, the patent can be given coins to exchange for something they want
• strengths of the area

  • scientific
  • useful applications
• weaknesss of the area

  • reductionist reduces the accuracy of conclusions
  • ethical issues associated with experimenting on children