behaviourist approach

classical conditioning is what

when a ns is associated with an ucs through repeated trials and naturally results in a cr

operant conditioning

a learning process where voluntary behaviours frequencies are modified through consequences

positive vs negative reinforcemnt

more likely to repeat a behavior because you’ve retrieved a rewards/ because something negative has been taken away

positive punishment vs negative punishment

positive punishment adds an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., chores), while negative punishment removes a desirable stimulus (e.g., phone)

research for classical conditioning

PAVLOV:

• investigating the production of saliva in dogs

• rang the bell every time before a dog was given food

• before experiment the food was the UCS and the bell was the NS the dogs saliva was UCR

• over course of experiment, dogs associated bell with food

• as a result of CC dogs salivated when heard bell

• the bell became a CS because it created a CR

research for operant conditioning

SKINNER:

• studied rats behaviour

• placed rats in glass box with lever, food dispenser and electric floor

• if rats received food when pressed lever they associated action with reward (PR)

• if pressing lever stopped electric shocks in floor they associated action with stopping plain (NR)

strength of behaviourist approach

• extraneous variables are controlled in lab experiments (high validity and reliability) —> has been replicated

• reliance on empirical evidence means theory is falsifiable.

• learning mechanisms used in psychological treatments. eg treating phobias (replacing negative associations with positive associations)

limitations of behaviourist approach

• overly reductionist - ignores mental processes and biological factors affecting behaviour

• often uses animal research - ethical issues, may generalize to humans