Behaviourist Approach

• Assumptions


  • Behaviour can be observed and measured
  • Rejects introspection because of vague and immeasurable concepts
  • All behaviour is learned
  • Animals learn the same way so can replace humans in research
• Classical Conditioning : Research

  = learning through association

  Pavlov conducted research using dogs, who learnt to associate a bell (NS) with food (CS)
• Operant Conditioning : Research

  = learning through consequence

  • Positive reinforcement = receive reward
  • Negative reinforcement = avoid unpleasant
  • Punishment = consequence

  Reinforcement increases likelihood of repeat behaviour

  Punishment decreases likelihood of repeat behaviour

  • Skinner - conditioned a rat to receive food (reward) when they pushed a lever, to which the rat would then repeat on it's own accord
• Eval : Strength


  Behaviourists focus on measuring behaviour in controlled lab settings, where by breaking behaviour down extraneous variables were removed allowing for a cause-and-effect relationship. This shows the behaviourist approach has scientific credibility.
• Eval : Weakness


  The behaviourist approach is environmentally deterministic, as it ignores any influence that free will may have. It is an extreme position and ignores all other possible influences, determining behaviour down to learning.
• Eval : Weakness


  The use of animal studies a mean that some argue they are not generalisable to human behaviour, and can be considered unethical as there is less protection from harm. Therefore the approach may be oversimplified and has a limited perspective.