Behavioral approach

• Assumptions of behaviourist


  Change in behaviour is result of environment, observable and measurable, born blank moulded by life, objective science
• Classical conditioning: what


  Pavlovs dogs. Salivate at sound of bell if food is presented with it. Learning by association.
• Classical conditioning process


  UCS > UCR

  NS > NR

  NS + UCS >>>> UCR

  CS > CR
• Operant conditioning what


  Learning by consequence. Skinners rats. If consequence is positive behaviour is repeated, if negative behaviour not repeated
• Types of operant reinforcement

  Positive= receiving reward for behaviour, outcome positive so behaviour repeated

  negative= avoid unpleasant thing, outcome positive so behaviour repeated

  punishment = unpleasant consequence, outcome negative so behaviour not repeated
• Strength of behaviourist

  Highly controled research. Tested in lab. Extraneous variables controlled. Scientific credibility.
• Weakness of behaviourist

  Oversimplified learning process. Other influences (human thought) ignored. More complex than just observation
• Another strength of behaviourist

  Real world application. Operant conditioning is how schools work (good behaviour rewarded to be repeated). classical conditioning used to treat phobias. Valuable