Major Approaches in Psychology - The Behaviourist Approach

Flashcards about the Behaviorist Approach which focuses on how people and animals learn to behave in response to their environment through stimulus-response or reinforcement.

What is the main belief of the Behaviourist approach?

People and animals learn to behave in response to their environment.

How does the Behaviourist approach explain learning?

Learning occurs through stimulus-response or reinforcement.

What is Classical Conditioning?

A type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response (Pavlov's experiment).

What is Operant Conditioning?

A type of learning where behavior is strengthened by reinforcement or diminished by punishment (Skinner's experiment).

Who was Ivan Pavlov?

A Russian Physiologist who studied classical conditioning by experimenting with dogs and their salivation responses.

What is an unconditioned response?

An innate reflex or response that does not require learning (e.g., a dog salivating when it sees food).

What is a conditioned response?

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

What is the definition of extinction in classical conditioning?

The weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of time has elapsed without exposure to the conditioned stimulus.

What is the blocking effect?

Lack of conditioned response to a stimulus because another stimulus already predicts the onset of the response.

What was the aim of the Little Albert experiment?

To test whether a child could be conditioned to fear a neutral stimulus and related stimuli.

What is generalization in classical conditioning?

The tendency to respond in a similar manner to stimuli that share characteristics with the conditioned stimulus.

What is stimulus discrimination?

The ability to differentiate between stimuli, responding only to the conditioned stimulus and not to similar stimuli.

What are phobias from a behaviorist perspective?

Intense, irrational fears that develop when a conditioned stimulus (e.g., social situations) is associated with a painful or aversive stimulus, causing fear.

What is the Law of Reinforcement/Effect?

Operant conditioning is mostly related to the strengthening or weakening of voluntary responses (doing things deliberately) - instrumental conditioning

What is Thorndike's law of effect?

Behaviors that lead to satisfaction are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors that lead to discomfort are less likely to be repeated.

Who is considered the father of behaviorism?

B.F. Skinner

What is the definition of a Primary Reinforcer?

A stimulus related to survival, such as receiving food.

What is the definition of a Secondary Reinforcer?

Stimuli that are rewarding because we have learned to associate them with primary reinforcers, such as receiving a pay rise for doing well at your job.

What is the definition of Fixed Ratio Schedule?

Reinforcement is given only after a certain number of responses.

What is the definition of Variable Ratio Schedule?

Reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses.

What is the definition of Fixed Interval Schedule?

Reinforcement is given only after a certain period of time has passed. Response rates are low in-between fixed intercals.

What is the definition of Variable Interval Schedule?

Reinforcement is given after a variable amount of time has passed.

What is shaping?

The process of teaching a complex behavior by rewarding closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.

What is punishment?

Any consequence that decreases the frequency of a preceding behavior.

What is positive punishment?

It involves adding something unpleasant or aversive to decrease a behavior (e.g., spanking the child).

What is negative punishment?

It involves taking away something pleasant or desired to decrease a behavior (e.g., no TV time).

What is a token economy?

A therapy based on operant conditioning where tokens are given for desirable behaviors, which can then be exchanged for rewards.

What is latent learning?

Learning that occurs in the absence of a reward and when changes in behavior are not immediately obvious.

What is observational learning?

Learning by observing other people’s behavior and learning from their experiences, also known as social cognitive theory or vicarious learning.

What is aversion therapy?

A therapy that works by punishing unwanted behavior by associating it with an aversive stimulus.

What is programmed learning?

A system developed by Skinner whereby the learner uses specially prepared books or equipment to learn without a teacher.