behaviourist approach

what is the behaviourist approach?

a way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

what are the basic assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

• Behaviour is learned from experience.

• Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically and it is only these behaviours that should be studied. Thought processes are subjective and difficult to test.

• It is valid to study the behaviour of animals as they share the same principles of learning (I.e. classical and operant conditioning)

• According to the behaviourist approach individuals are as a tabula rasa (blank slate), so there is no genetic influence on behaviour.

what is classical conditioning?

• Classical conditioning is learning through association.

• A neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that naturally produces a response.

• Eventually, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) and produces a conditioned response (CR) on its own.

what are some other important features of classical conditioning and what do they mean?

• Timing – conditioning won't occur if there is too much time between presentation of unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus (they need to be presented at the same time – paired).

• Extinction – controlled response is not permanent. It will fade away if not consistently  paired with uncontrolled stimulus.

• Spontaneous recovery – much faster re-pairing following extinction though.

• Stimulus generalisation – once conditioned, will respond to other stimuli similar to conditioned stimulus (Little Albert).

what is an unconditioned stimulus?

something which naturally/automatically causes a response

what is an unconditioned response?

a natural reaction to a stimulus

what is a neutral stimulus?

a stimulus that initially does not cause the target reaction or response

what is a conditioned stimulus?

when the neutral stimulus causes the same response as the unconditioned stimulus on its own as they have become paired

what is operant conditioning

• Operant conditioning is learning through the consequences of behaviour.

• Behaviours that are rewarded are more likely to be repeated, while behaviours that are punished are less likely to be repeated.

• It involves reinforcement (increasing behaviour) and punishment (decreasing behaviour).

• Positive means something is added, while negative means something is removed.

what is positive reinforcement?

rewarding desirable behaviours to increase the likelihood of its reoccurrence

what is negative reinforcement?

increases the likelihood of a desired behaviour by removing or avoiding a stimulus

what is positive punishment?

presenting an unpleasant stimulus to weaken behaviour and prevent the income action occurring again

what is negative punishment?

removal of a desirable stimulus following an undesired behaviour