Behaviourism

• Introduction and Assumptions

  • Behaviourist Approach: This approach explains behaviour as acquired and maintained through classical and operant conditioning. It focuses on observable and measurable behaviours, rejecting the subjective methods of introspection used by Wundt.
• Founders: John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner emphasised objective measurement and control, which allowed for the development of general laws of behaviour.
• Generalisation: Basic learning principles apply to both humans and non-human animals, making animal research a substitute for human research in behaviourism.
• • Classical Conditioning: Learning through associations between an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and a neutral stimulus (NS).

  Process:

  Before Conditioning: UCS (food) → UCR (salivation).

  During Conditioning: NS (bell) + UCS (food) → UCR (salivation).

  After Conditioning: CS (bell) → CR (salivation).
• • Pavlov’s Experiment:

  Dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell through repeated pairings of the bell (NS) with food (UCS).

  Extinction: When the CS is no longer paired with the UCS, the CR fades.

  Spontaneous Recovery: Reappearance of the CR after a period of extinction.

  Generalisation: Similar stimuli to the CS (different bell pitches) produce the same CR.
• Operant Conditioning: Learning where behaviour is shaped by its consequences.
• Reinforcement: Increases the likelihood of behaviour.
• Positive Reinforcement: Behaviour followed by a rewarding stimulus (e.g., praise for homework).

  Negative Reinforcement: Behaviour followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., avoiding detention by doing homework).
• Punishment: Decreases the likelihood of behaviour.

  Positive Punishment: Adding an unpleasant consequence (e.g., scolding).

  Negative Punishment: Removing a pleasant stimulus (e.g., taking away a toy).
• Skinner’s Box:

  Positive Reinforcement: Rats learned to press a lever to receive food.

  Negative Reinforcement: Rats learned to press a lever to stop an electric shock.
• A02 Potential Application Questions

  Little Albert Experiment (Watson and Rayner, 1920):

  Classical conditioning can explain the acquisition and maintenance of phobias.

  Little Albert developed a phobia of white rats through association with a loud noise.

  Extinction: The phobia could diminish if the loud noise (UCS) is no longer paired with the white rat (CS).

  Generalisation: Albert's fear extended to other white, fluffy objects.
• Differentiation Between Classical and Operant Conditioning:

  Classical conditioning involves learning through association between stimuli.

  Operant conditioning involves learning through consequences of behaviour.
• Point: The behaviourist approach is scientifically rigorous.

  Evidence: Uses controlled laboratory experiments to ensure reliability and validity.

  Explain: This allows for objective measurement and replication, enhancing scientific credibility.

  Link: Therefore, behaviourism has strengthened psychology’s status as a scientific discipline.
• Point: Real-life applications demonstrate the utility of behaviourist principles.

  Evidence: Token economies have successfully modified behaviour in institutional settings.

  Explain: This shows the practical value of behaviourism in addressing real-world issues.

  Link: Thus, behaviourism has positively impacted many individuals' lives through applied interventions.
• Point: Behaviorism is criticised for environmental determinism.

  Evidence: Ignores internal cognitive processes and free will.

  Explain: This limitation means behaviourism may not fully explain complex human behaviour.

  Link: Therefore, behaviourism might provide an incomplete understanding of behaviour compared to more holistic approaches.
• Point: Ethical concerns limit the acceptance of behaviourist research.

  Evidence: Studies like Skinner’s Box and the Little Albert experiment caused harm.

  Explain: These ethical issues question the morality of behaviourist methods.

  Link: Hence, ethical considerations must be balanced with scientific benefits in evaluating behaviourism