learning approaches: the behaviourist approach

learning occurs through 2 processes

classical conditioning

operant conditioning

behaviourist approach view on introspection

The behaviourist approach rejected vagueness of introspection and argued that Psychologists need to focus on observable events as opposed to internal events like thinking and emotion. This is because observable (i.e. external) behaviour can be objectively and scientifically measured. The approach focuses on learning - sometimes called learning theory rather than behaviourism

classical conditioning

This is learning by association

Pavlov (1927) discovered classical conditioning. He was researching the salivary reflex in dogs and noticed they didn't only salivate when food was placed in their mouths, they also salivated in reaction to stimuli that was present at the same time as food e.g. the food bowl or the person that fed them. He went on to explore the conditions needed for this learnt behaviour to occur:

before cc, before cc, during cc, after cc

the dogs before classical conditioning

First Pavlov established that meat caused the dog to salivate. Unconditioned Stimulus (FOOD) > Unconditioned Response (SALIVA)

the dogs on the second stage before classical conditioning

Then Pavlov established that a tone did not cause the dog to salivate Tone = neutral stimulus

the dogs during classical conditioning

He then presented the tone with the food Causes salivation but the dog is still salivating in response to the food here not the tone Unconditioned Stimulus (FOOD) + Neutral Stimulus (TONE) > Unconditioned Response (SALIVA)

the dogs after classical conditioning

After several pairings of the tone and food, Pavlov found that the dog would salivate to the tone when it was presented alone. The tone is now called the conditioned stimulus and the saliva the conditioned response because they are learned/conditioned associations. Conditioned Stimulus (TONE) > Conditioned Response (SALIVA)

operant conditioning

This is learning by the consequences of behaviour. Skinner (1938) argued that behaviours produce consequences which can be positive (desirable) or negative (undesirable). Whether we repeat the behaviour is dependent on the consequence - is the behaviour reinforced?

positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement occurs when behaviour produces a consequence that is pleasurable for the animal/human and therefore it increases the likelihood of a response occurring because it involves a reward for the behaviour. E.g. receiving a sticker for hard work at primary school.

negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a response occurring because it involves the removal of. or escaping from, unpleasant consequences. Or to put it simply: doing something to stop a bad thing from happening! E.g. hitting off button on an alarm clock allows a person to escape the unpleasant ringing

Skinner 1938

developed a special box known as the Skinner box to investigate operant conditioning in rats. The rat moves around and when it accidentally presses a lever it receives a food pellet which is rewarding. This reward increases likelihood that the behaviour (lever pressing) will be repeated because the reward reinforces behaviour. This is an example of positive reinforcement. In another version of the experiment Skinner ran an electric shock through the floor of the box, the rat learnt to press the lever in order to stop the shock; this is an example of negative reinforcement.

behaviourist approaches evaluation summary

• real life application

• OC has real life application

• increased scientific credibility

• most research can’t be generalised to humans

• reductionist

• deterministic

behaviourist approaches evaluation - real life application

A strength of the behaviourist approach is that these concepts have real life application. For example, CC has led to the development of treatments for various phobias. Through systematic desensitisation a new association is taught to replace the once learned response (fear) with a new CR /relaxation). It has been found to be effective for a range of phobias e.g. 75% effectiveness for simple phobias. Therefore, this shows that the approach has positive implications.

behaviourist approaches evaluation - OC has real lie application

OC has real life applications: token economy systems have been successfully used in many institutions e.g. prisons. They work by rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges. Therefore, this shows that the approach has positive implications.

behaviourist approaches evaluation - increased the scientific credibility of psychology

Behaviourism was influential in increasing the scientific credibility of psychology by using lab experiments and focusing on observable behaviour within highly controlled settings. This allows us to show causal relationships and predict future behaviour. Therefore the theories within behaviourism are falsifiable and based on empirical data.

behaviourist approaches evaluation - most research can’t be generalised to humans

However most of the research is carried out on animals so may not generalise to humans. This is because humans have much higher cognitive functioning and are therefore much more active in their learning. However, animal studies can be a useful pointer in understanding human behaviour, but we should always seek to replicate research in humans.

behaviourist approaches evaluation - reductionist

A weakness of the Behaviourist theory is that it is reductionist. This is because it reduces complex human behaviour down to only learning through rewards and associations. There are other approaches that can explain behaviour such as the cognitive approach which would that there are actually complicated thought processes behind our learning. Therefore the approach oversimplifies behaviour.

behaviourist approaches evaluation - deterministic

The theory is deterministic as Skinner argues our past conditioning experiences will produce behaviour. This does not allow for any free will we may have over our behaviour. For example, an individual may be rewarded for their behaviour but have the freewill not to repeat it.