AO3: Behaviourist approach

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    Created by
    Liam

    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?