Behaviourist Approach

• Assumption: Behaviour can be learnt from the environment.
• Classical Conditioning: Learning through association/ Supported by Pavlov's research/ Before conditioning- an unconditioned stimulus (food) produces an unconditioned response (salivation)/ During conditioning- a neutral stimulus (bell) is paired with the unconditioned stimulus (food)/ After conditioning- a conditioned stimulus (bell) produces a conditioned response (salivation) without the presence of the unconditioned stimulus (food).
• Operant Conditioning: Learning through reinforcement and punishment/ Supported by Skinner's research into lever pressing in rats/ Positive reinforcement- rat presses a level which results in food which causes rat to continue behaviour/ Negative reinforcement- rat presses a lever that results in electric shocks stopping so rat continues behaviour/ Punishment- rat presses a lever and recieves an electric shocks so stops pressing.
• Evaluation

  Scientific research support (Pavlov and Skinner) is highly controlled - scientific credibility.

  The approach has real world application -- useful.

  The approach has environmental determinism -- does not consider the role of biology or free will -- limited approach.

  Approach suffers from environment reductionism -- reduces complex behaviour to stimulus-response links -- limited account of human behaviour.