Psychology, Y1 sec B Qs behaviorist

Beh- applications

behaviorist modification, we can change behavior through reinforcement or modelling behaviors

Beh- principals

• psychology should study observable behavior

• we are products of our environment

• we acquire our behavior through learning

Beh- strengths

• scientific approach, only observable behavior should be studied, use of well controlled experiments

• area assumes behaviors are learnt so there are many practical applications e.g operant conditioning

Beh- weaknesses

• the beh perspective can be reductionist as it ignores mental processes and just focuses on the stimuli and response

• the beh perspectives use of controlled investigations can often lack ecological validity