Behaviourism Intro

Behaviourism

Also known as 'Learning Theory', it is a psychological approach that emphasises observable behaviors as the focus of study.

John Watson

An American psychologist who played a significant role in the development of Behaviorism in the early 1900s.

Assumptions of Behaviourism

Three main assumptions include that nearly all behavior is learned, animals and humans learn in the same ways, and the 'mind' is irrelevant in studying behavior.

Stimulus-Response Associations

The idea that behaviors are learned through forming associations between stimuli and responses.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus to evoke a response.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning where behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on the consequences that follow them.

Social Learning Theory

A theory that emphasises learning through observing others' behaviours and the consequences of those behaviours.

Little Albert Experiment

An experiment conducted by Watson and Rayner involving the conditioning of fear responses in a young child named Little Albert.

Genetics and Behavior

The influence of genetic factors on behavior, which behaviorism claims is not the primary cause of behaviors, although some genetic contributions may exist.

Ethical Considerations in Research

Researchers must conduct a cost-benefit analysis when using animals in experiments, ensuring their well-being and considering the ethical implications of the research.