LEARNING APPROACH – BEHAVIOURISM:
AO1: AO3:
Assumptions – Scientific Credibility -
Only interested in behaviour that can be observed & measured. Able to establish psychology as a credible science & its methods.
John B. Watson (1913) rejected introspection > too many concepts , subjective & Lab experiments = control extraneous variables, replicable & data
too vague. obtained was objective.
Used lab experiments > highly controlled, objective & replicable. Research support = Pavlov & Skinner > increases reliability as psyc
Animals can replace humans as experimental subjects > Darwin – basic processes being a science.
that govern learning are the same in all species.
We’re all born a blank slate (tabula rasa) > behaviour constructed by environment Useful Real Life Applications –
not genetics. Token economy systems (classical conditioning) = in prisons / insti
> positive behaviour = tokens = exchanged for privileges.
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov’s dogs) – Work bonuses (operant conditioning) = work hard to get rewarded
Learning through association. pay.
Dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell. Treatment of phobias (classical conditioning) = e.g. flooding , mini
Before conditioning = Food (UCS) > Salivation (UCR). effort required > suitable for those who lack insight.
= Bell (NS) > No Response.
During conditioning = Food (UCS) + Bell (NS) > Salivation (UCR). Mechanistic View Of Behaviour –
After conditioning = Bell (CS) > Salivation (CR) It’s an over-simplification of complex human behaviours > stimulus & re
Watson & Rayner = Little Albert > originally not scared of animals > loud Human behaviour perhaps is a product of nurture (experiences in our
bang > fear animals. environment) and nature (our own biology, e.g. genes).
Cognitive approach = takes into account our internal processes.
Operant Conditioning (BF Skinner 1953) –
Learning through consequences. Lab Experiments –
Kept rats in a box , ¼ underweight , always hungry. Lack ecological validity = results obtained cannot be generalised.
Positive reinforcement = rat presses leaver > gets food. Animals (different physiological & mental statuses) = passive & ma
Negative reinforcement = rat presses leaver > avoid electric shock. like responders to their environment WHEREAS humans are much
Punishment = rat presses leaver > electric shock. complex, aware & conscious of their environment.
Positive & negative reinforcement increases the likelihood that the Rats (ethical issues – protection from harm) = kept in box & under
behaviour will be repeated. Little Albert (ethical issues – protection from harm) = may have ob
Punishment decreases the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated. psychological damage & a permanent phobia.
AO1: AO3:
Assumptions – Scientific Credibility -
Only interested in behaviour that can be observed & measured. Able to establish psychology as a credible science & its methods.
John B. Watson (1913) rejected introspection > too many concepts , subjective & Lab experiments = control extraneous variables, replicable & data
too vague. obtained was objective.
Used lab experiments > highly controlled, objective & replicable. Research support = Pavlov & Skinner > increases reliability as psyc
Animals can replace humans as experimental subjects > Darwin – basic processes being a science.
that govern learning are the same in all species.
We’re all born a blank slate (tabula rasa) > behaviour constructed by environment Useful Real Life Applications –
not genetics. Token economy systems (classical conditioning) = in prisons / insti
> positive behaviour = tokens = exchanged for privileges.
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov’s dogs) – Work bonuses (operant conditioning) = work hard to get rewarded
Learning through association. pay.
Dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell. Treatment of phobias (classical conditioning) = e.g. flooding , mini
Before conditioning = Food (UCS) > Salivation (UCR). effort required > suitable for those who lack insight.
= Bell (NS) > No Response.
During conditioning = Food (UCS) + Bell (NS) > Salivation (UCR). Mechanistic View Of Behaviour –
After conditioning = Bell (CS) > Salivation (CR) It’s an over-simplification of complex human behaviours > stimulus & re
Watson & Rayner = Little Albert > originally not scared of animals > loud Human behaviour perhaps is a product of nurture (experiences in our
bang > fear animals. environment) and nature (our own biology, e.g. genes).
Cognitive approach = takes into account our internal processes.
Operant Conditioning (BF Skinner 1953) –
Learning through consequences. Lab Experiments –
Kept rats in a box , ¼ underweight , always hungry. Lack ecological validity = results obtained cannot be generalised.
Positive reinforcement = rat presses leaver > gets food. Animals (different physiological & mental statuses) = passive & ma
Negative reinforcement = rat presses leaver > avoid electric shock. like responders to their environment WHEREAS humans are much
Punishment = rat presses leaver > electric shock. complex, aware & conscious of their environment.
Positive & negative reinforcement increases the likelihood that the Rats (ethical issues – protection from harm) = kept in box & under
behaviour will be repeated. Little Albert (ethical issues – protection from harm) = may have ob
Punishment decreases the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated. psychological damage & a permanent phobia.
