Evaluating the Behaviorist Approach

Flashcards covering the strengths and limitations of the behaviorist approach, including its scientific nature, practical applications, and deterministic perspective.

Scientific Strength

A characteristic of the behaviorist approach where extraneous variables are well controlled in laboratory experiments, leading to high validity and reliability.

Falsifiability

The property of behaviorist theories being testable and capable of being proven false due to their reliance on empirical evidence.

Replication

The ability for findings from behaviorist research to be consistently reproduced by others.

Psychological Treatments

A practical application of the behaviorist approach where learning mechanisms, like classical conditioning, are used to treat anxieties and phobias.

Classical Conditioning (in Treatment)

A technique used to treat anxieties and phobias by replacing a negative association with a positive association.

Overly Reductive

A limitation of the behaviorist approach because it ignores the roles of mental processes and biological factors in affecting behavior.

Animal Research Limitations

A critique of the behaviorist approach suggesting that results from animals may not generalize to humans and that the research might be considered unethical.

Environmental Determinism

The idea that behavior is determined by environmental factors rather than free will.