behaviourist approach

Tabula Rasa

The assumption that humans are born as a "blank slate" and all behaviour is learned from the environment.

Environmental Determinism

The belief that behaviour is caused by external factors (stimuli/consequences) rather than free will.

Nurture over Nature

The stance that upbringing and experiences are more important than genetics in shaping behaviour.

Scientific Methodology

The reliance on observable, measurable behaviour and controlled laboratory experiments.

Nomothetic Approach

The goal of establishing general laws of behaviour that apply to everyone.

Classical Conditioning

Learning through association, where a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

Learning through consequences, such as reinforcement (strengthens behaviour) or punishment (weakens behaviour).

Positive Reinforcement

Receiving a reward (e.g., food or praise) following a behaviour, making it more likely to be repeated.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., stopping an electric shock) to strengthen a behaviour.

Punishment

An unpleasant consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour recurring.

Pavlov (1927)

Key study demonstrating classical conditioning in dogs by pairing a bell (NS) with food (UCS) to produce salivation (CR).

Skinner (1938)

Key study using "Skinner Boxes" to demonstrate operant conditioning in rats through lever-pressing for food rewards.

Watson and Rayner (1920)

The "Little Albert" study which showed that phobias (fear of white rats) can be classically conditioned in humans.

Stimulus Generalisation

When an individual responds to stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus (e.g., fearing all white fluffy objects).

Extinction

When a conditioned response disappears because the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Systematic Desensitisation

A therapy for phobias based on classical conditioning, using a "fear hierarchy" and relaxation techniques.

​Reciprocal Inhibition

The principle that you cannot feel two opposing emotions (fear and relaxation) at the same time.

Functional Analysis

The first stage of a behaviourist therapy where the therapist identifies the triggers and consequences of a maladaptive behaviour.

Aversion Therapy

A therapy used for addictions (e.g., alcoholism) where an unpleasant stimulus (emetic drug) is paired with the addictive substance.

Token Economy

A behaviour modification system based on operant conditioning, using secondary reinforcers (tokens) to reward desired behaviours.

Evaluation: Scientific Credibility

A strength: The approach uses objective, replicable methods which moved psychology away from subjective introspection.

Evaluation: Use of Animal Research

A weakness: Critics argue that human behaviour is more complex than animal behaviour and results may not generalize.

Evaluation: Reductionism

A weakness: The approach breaks complex human behaviour down into simple stimulus-response units, ignoring cognitive and biological factors