Behaviourist Perspective

What are the 3 main assumptions of the behaviourist approach? (3+1)

Behaviour is learned from the environment rather than being explained by innate biological factors

Learning occurs through classical conditioning

Behaviour is changed through operant conditioning

A behaviour can become weaker and extinct when the reinforcement maintaining it is removed

What did Pavlov discover?

Classical conditioning through his research on canine digestive systems and salivation responses

What is the unconditioned stimulus?

The natural, not learned stimulus

What is the unconditioned response? (2)

The natural, not learned response

It is automatic

What is classical conditioning? (3)

Learning by association

Occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired togther (UCS-NS)

Eventually, the NS produces the same response as the UCS - creates a conditioned response

How is new behaviour formed? (4)

UCS - UCR

(UCS + NS) - UCR

Repeated several times, until NS is conditioned

CS-CR

What is the behaviourist approach?

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

What did BF Skinner discover?

Learning is an active process whereby humans and animals operate on their environment

What is Operant conditioning? (2)

A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences

Possible consequences of behaviour include positive/negative reinforcement and positive/negative punishment

What is reinforcement? (2)

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated

Can be positive or negative

Positive

Something is recieved

Negative

Something is removed / avoided

Positive reinforcement

When the likelihood of a behaviour increases because there is a reward

Negative reinforcement

When the likelihood of a behaviour increases because it avoids something negative

Positive punishment

Whne the likelihood of a behaviour decreases because something bad is recieved as a result

Negative punishment

When the likelihood of a behaviour decreases because something is taken away

Conditioning

Learning through experience

Behaviourism

Belief that behaviour is caused by learning through experience

Pavlov: Classical Conditioning process (5)

1. He noticed that dogs would salivate when there was food - the food is the unconditioned stimuli and the saliva is the unconditioned response

2. He rang a bell infront of the dog, and the dog didn’t react - the bell is the neutral stimuli and there is no conditioned response for it

3. During conditioning, he rang a bell and then gave the dog food - this combined the UCS with an NS

4. After repeating this conditioning practice, he rang the bell and didn’t give the dog food - the dog began to salivate anyways

5.The bell has become the conditioned stimuli and the conditioned response is salivating

Skinner: Operant Condtioning Process (5)

1. Skinner placed rats in a box - everytime they activated a lever, they would recieve a food pellet

2. This was positive reinforcement and the rats would repeatedly activate the level

3. He then changed the conditions eg. the rats activated the lever and recieved a shock - they stopped pressing the lever - Positive punishment

4. He also did one where if the rats pressed the lever, the electric shock would stop - negative reinforcement

5. Finally, he did one where if the rats pressed the lever too many times, the pellets would be delayed - reduced the times they pushed the lever - negative punishment