Knowt
Behaviourism Intro
Behaviourism is also known as ‘Learning Theory’:
Behaviourism (‘Learning Theory’) started in America in the early 1900s, mainly through the ideas of John Watson
Watson felt that earlier psychological research wasn’t as scientific as it should be
For example, Wilhelm Wundt tried to study consciousness using introspection. This involves analysing your own experiences. However, There’s no way of finding out whether what a person said is true or not, so introspection can never be properly scientific
Watson came up with assumptions on which to base a scientific approach to psychology
There are three main assumptions of Behaviourism:
Nearly all behaviour is learnt
The only expectations are a few inborn reflexes (e.g. blinking when we get dirt in our eyes) and a few inborn instincts (e.g instinctively running when in some types of danger)
However, evidence now shows that genetics may contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Behaviourism still claims, though, that learning, and not genetics, is the cause of the majority of behaviours, even if some vague genetic causes can be found
Animals and humans learn in the same ways
Humans can do much more complex things than other animals, but the principles by which we learn are the same. So, we learn to drive a car through the same principles as a car learns to use a cat flap. This is based on the idea we can form stimulus-response associations between stimuli and our actions. However, although we may both use conditioning, humans can be said to use other forms of learning as well, such as social learning
The ’mind’ is irrelevant
We can’t directly observe and measure a person’s thinking. So we can only obtain measurable data by studying behaviour
However, although cognitive abilities cannot be directly, scientifically measured, they may give a more complete explanation of behaviour- as shown by social learning theory
Behaviourists use their Assumptions to design research methods:
The research used by behaviourists follow directly from their assumptions, as follows:
Nearly all behaviour is learnt
So, understanding the principles of learning is the main research goal
Animals and humans learn in the same ways
Animals can be used as research subjects because what is true for them should as be true for humans. Using animals as practical advantages, e.g. they are easy to keep, in many circumstances they don’t know they are being studied and so behave ‘naturally’, and procedures can be used with them which would be illegal with humans (e.g administering shocks as punishment to see the effect on learning)
The ‘mind’ is irrelevant
Behaviourists only observe quantifiable behaviour- e.g. how many times a lever is pressed, or how long it takes to solve a puzzle. Typical research therefore involves laboratory experiments on animals, to see how they learn
Conditioning has Strengths and Weaknesses:
There’s a lot of evidence to show that animals and humans can learn by conditioning, but conditioning can’t explain all human behaviour. We also learn by observation, as shown by social learning theory
Most research into conditioning has involved animals. This means generalising to humans is difficult. More research into human conditioning would be useful
Different species have different capacities for learning by conditioning. Some may also learn by simple observation, with no reinforcement involved
Genetics seem to influence and limit what different species can learn by conditioning
Lots of experiments into learning in animals may be seen as unethical. Nowadays, researchers have to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of whether it’s acceptable to use animals, and they must ensure that any animals are well looked after
Behaviourist research has provided great insights into learning:
Along with Pavlov’s research into classical conditioning using dogs, Skinner’s research into operant conditioning using rats, research has been carried out using humans
One experiment which involved humans was Watson and Rayner’s experiment on ‘Little Albert’
Behaviourists are often criticised for focusing research on animals. Plenty of research has been done on humans, which has shown things like:
Our genes influence our behaviour
We can learn in ways other than conditioning
Mental and cognitive processes are relevant to understanding behaviour
Behaviourism Intro
Behaviourism is also known as ‘Learning Theory’:
Behaviourism (‘Learning Theory’) started in America in the early 1900s, mainly through the ideas of John Watson
Watson felt that earlier psychological research wasn’t as scientific as it should be
For example, Wilhelm Wundt tried to study consciousness using introspection. This involves analysing your own experiences. However, There’s no way of finding out whether what a person said is true or not, so introspection can never be properly scientific
Watson came up with assumptions on which to base a scientific approach to psychology
There are three main assumptions of Behaviourism:
Nearly all behaviour is learnt
The only expectations are a few inborn reflexes (e.g. blinking when we get dirt in our eyes) and a few inborn instincts (e.g instinctively running when in some types of danger)
However, evidence now shows that genetics may contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Behaviourism still claims, though, that learning, and not genetics, is the cause of the majority of behaviours, even if some vague genetic causes can be found
Animals and humans learn in the same ways
Humans can do much more complex things than other animals, but the principles by which we learn are the same. So, we learn to drive a car through the same principles as a car learns to use a cat flap. This is based on the idea we can form stimulus-response associations between stimuli and our actions. However, although we may both use conditioning, humans can be said to use other forms of learning as well, such as social learning
The ’mind’ is irrelevant
We can’t directly observe and measure a person’s thinking. So we can only obtain measurable data by studying behaviour
However, although cognitive abilities cannot be directly, scientifically measured, they may give a more complete explanation of behaviour- as shown by social learning theory
Behaviourists use their Assumptions to design research methods:
The research used by behaviourists follow directly from their assumptions, as follows:
Nearly all behaviour is learnt
So, understanding the principles of learning is the main research goal
Animals and humans learn in the same ways
Animals can be used as research subjects because what is true for them should as be true for humans. Using animals as practical advantages, e.g. they are easy to keep, in many circumstances they don’t know they are being studied and so behave ‘naturally’, and procedures can be used with them which would be illegal with humans (e.g administering shocks as punishment to see the effect on learning)
The ‘mind’ is irrelevant
Behaviourists only observe quantifiable behaviour- e.g. how many times a lever is pressed, or how long it takes to solve a puzzle. Typical research therefore involves laboratory experiments on animals, to see how they learn
Conditioning has Strengths and Weaknesses:
There’s a lot of evidence to show that animals and humans can learn by conditioning, but conditioning can’t explain all human behaviour. We also learn by observation, as shown by social learning theory
Most research into conditioning has involved animals. This means generalising to humans is difficult. More research into human conditioning would be useful
Different species have different capacities for learning by conditioning. Some may also learn by simple observation, with no reinforcement involved
Genetics seem to influence and limit what different species can learn by conditioning
Lots of experiments into learning in animals may be seen as unethical. Nowadays, researchers have to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of whether it’s acceptable to use animals, and they must ensure that any animals are well looked after
Behaviourist research has provided great insights into learning:
Along with Pavlov’s research into classical conditioning using dogs, Skinner’s research into operant conditioning using rats, research has been carried out using humans
One experiment which involved humans was Watson and Rayner’s experiment on ‘Little Albert’
Behaviourists are often criticised for focusing research on animals. Plenty of research has been done on humans, which has shown things like:
Our genes influence our behaviour
We can learn in ways other than conditioning
Mental and cognitive processes are relevant to understanding behaviour
