AO3: Behaviourist approach

Cards (5)

  • Strength: Well-controlled research
    What? Based on well-controlled research
    Who? Highly controlled lab settings, EVs removed - cause-and-effect shown
    Why? Scientific credibility
  • Counterpoint: Well-controlled research
    What? Oversimplified learning process
    Who? Social Learning Theory and Cognitive approach drawn attention to mental processes; behaviourism does not
    Why? Learning more complex
  • Strength: Real-world application
    What? Practical use
    Who? Token economy systems (prisons, schools, etc.) - rewarding behaviour with tokens which can be exchanged for privileges + classical conditioning helps with treatment of phobias
    Why? Increases value
  • Limitation: Environmental determinism
    What? Sees all behaviour as conditioned by past conditioning experiences
    Who? Skinner - free will is an illusion; ignores it - everything we do is because of our reinforcement history
    Why? Extreme position, ignores conscious decision-making processes
  • Limitation: Ethical issues
    What? Harsh conditions
    Who? Skinner's animals held in harsh conditions
    Why? Cost-benefit analysis; is it worth it?