BEHAVIOURISM FLASCHARDS

What does the Behaviourist approach assume?

• behaviour learned by experience (we are born a blank slate - tabula rasa - so there is no genetic influence on behaviour

• Only observable behaviour can be measured scientifically. Only these should be studied - thought processes subjective, difficult to test

• Must use lab experiments - maintain objectivity

• Basic learning processes same in all species - valid to study behaviour of animals as principles of learning shared (i.e. classical, operant conditioning)

What side of the NATURE / NURTURE debate does this approach sit on and why?

NURTURE - believes we are born a blank slate. No genetic influence on behaviour

What is CLASSICAL CONDITIONING? Hint - Pavlov

• learning by association

• Association made between previously neutral stimulus and reflex response - reflex response positive/negative.

• If stimulus association positive - positive response arises whenever person comes in contact with specific stimulus

• If stimulus association negative - negative response arises whenever person comes in contact with specific stimulus

How does conditioning usually happen?

• Phobia - an association is made between an object/situation and fear

Explain Pavlov’s observations

• dogs automatically salivate when given food (reflex)

• Food = unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

• Pavlov conditioned dogs to salivate to bell sound - learnt from environment

• Post experiment =

If NS (bell - no response alone) repeatedly paired with UCS (food), two become associated

Because of this NS becomes CS, able to cause previously instinctive (now CR) of salivation.

How did Pavlov test his theory?

• repeatedly presented food to dogs whilst ringing bell.

• Eventually, they began to salivate solely to the sound of bell, even without food.

What is OPERANT conditioning? Hint - Skinner

• learning by consequence

• Works on principle of reinforcement.

What is reinforcement?

• something in environment that strengthens behaviour, makes it more likely to occur.

Example = if you want your dog to sit on command, you give it a treat (reinforcement) each time it sits for you. Dog will eventually realise sitting when told results in treat.

What are the different types of reinforcement?

1. POSITIVE - recieving reward when certain behaviour is performed. Behaviour more likely to reoccur if rewarded by positive consequence

2. NEGATIVE - rewarded by avoiding something unpleasant. Behaviour more likely to reoccur if rewarded by avoidance of negative consequences.

3. PUNISHMENT - unpleasant consequence of a behaviour. Less likely to reoccur if it results in negative consequences

Explain Skinner’s method

POSITIVE:

Hungry rat in Skinner box. Lever on side and rat would accidentally knock lever. This would produce food pellet which acted as positive reinforcement. Rats quickly learned to go straight to lever after being put in box a few times

NEGATIVE:

Rat in box given electric current, caused discomfort. Moved around the box and accidentally knock lever, this would switch off current and after a few times of being put in rats learned to do that straight away

PUNISHMENT:

Once rat had been taught to press lever, Skinner trained it to stop pressing lever by electrifying floor each time the lever was pressed