The behaviourist approach

define behaviourist approach

way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning-usually done in controlled environment like lab

describe classical conditioning

learning by association

-when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together (unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus)

-neutral stimulus eventually produces same response as unconditioned stimulus alone so NS becomes conditioned stimulus (Pavlovs experiment)

describe operant conditioning

a form of learning in which behaviour is shaped by consequences

-positive reinforcement

-negative reinforcement

-punishment

describe positive reinforcement

receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed

describe negative reinforcement

when a human avoids something unpleasant-the outcome is rewarding

describe punishment

an unpleasant consequence of behaviour-(in skinners box an electric shock)

describe well controlled research

-focus on observable behaviour in highly controlled labs to reduce any extraneous variables allowing cause and effect relationship to be established -scientific credibility

describe real world application

-operant conditioning is basis of systems such as institutions and psychiatric hospitals

-reward tokens at appropriate behaviour which can be exchanged for privileges

-widespread application

describe negative of real world application

-use of operant conditioning is successful in institutions but fails in different environments such as homes when patients leave -destroying any built up progress sue to change in setting

-reduced validity

describe environmental determinism

-sees all behaviour as past conditioning experiences

-skinner says past conditioning determines outcomes not free will

-skinners point ignores the influence of conscious decision making process on behaviour (cognitive)

describe oversimplistic

-behaviour approach is overly simplistic and ignores influence over human thought over observation of behaviour