Assumptions
§ We are born as a blank slate (tabula rasa), behaviour is acquired from experience.
§ Only behaviour which can be observed is measurable scientifically.
§ It is valid to study animals as they employ similar learning principals to humans (classical and operant
conditioning).
Classical Conditioning
o Classical Conditioning (CC) and Pavlov's Research: CC is learning by association.The association is created
between a formerly neutral stimulus and a reflex response. This stimulus-response association can be positive or
negative. Essentially, a stimulus (e.g. a specific song) causes a physiological response (e.g. happiness) – if this
association is reiterated several times, the response will automatically occur every time the stimulus is presented
(e.g. you'll be happy whenever that song plays).
o Key Research: Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1927) – devised the concept of CC while studying dogs in a different
experiment. He realised they salivated at the sound of the door (from where the assistants usually came in with
food for them). He studied this more. Dogs naturally salivate at food – this link was explained as the unconditioned
stimulus (UCS – Food) producing an unconditioned response (UCR – salivation). He then repeatedly paired the
UCS (food) with a neutral stimulus (NS - ringing a bell) right before showing the food. He found that the dogs
ultimately began to salivate at just the sound of the bell (with or without the food present). Therefore, the previously
NS (the bell) had now become a conditioned stimulus (CS), causing a conditioned response (CR) of salivation.
Operant Conditioning
o Operant Conditioning and Skinner's Research: Operant conditioning (OC) centres on the principle that learning
is a result of the consequences of our actions. If behaviours result in positive outcomes, then the behaviour is
likely to be repeated. If the consequences are unpleasant, then the behaviour wouldn't continue. Three
consequences outlined: Positive reinforcement: is receiving a reward, e.g. a good grade; Negative reinforcement:
occurs when performing an action stops something unpleasant happening. E.g. in one of Skinner's experiments a
rat had to press a lever to stop receiving an electric shock; Punishment: this is an unpleasant consequence. E.g.
being grounded for not doing your homework.
o Key Research: B.F Skinner (1953) – Rats were placed in boxes alone, including a lever which once they
activated, a food pellet was released (positive reinforcement). The rat swiftly learnt to go straight to the lever after
a few times of being put in the box – indicates positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behaviour being
repeated. In a variation, the rat was placed in a cage where it was given an electric shock – the lever would switch
off the electric shock (negative reinforcement) the rats quickly learnt to press the lever to stop the shocks –
indicated negative reinforcement leads to increasing likelihood of behaviour which avoids the negative
consequence. Punishing them in a different condition (where the lever caused electric currents) caused them to
stop pressing the lever.
, Outline and Evaluate the Behaviourist approach (16 marks)
Outline
The behaviourist approach assumes that human behaviour can be explained through conditioning and is shaped and learnt
through the environment. Conditioning includes making a learned association between stimuli and response. Behaviourists also
believe our minds are blank when we are born and there is no genetic influence on our behaviour. Behaviourists are only concerned
with behaviour that can be measured and observed. There are two types of conditioning that explain human behaviour, which is
classical and operant conditioning.
Classical conditioning originated through the work of Pavlov and occurs through learning by association. Pavlov was able to show
how the association works in his study on dogs. In his experiment whenever he brought food (UCS) for the dogs they would start
salivating (UCR). Pavlov wondered if he could associate the dog to salivate to another stimulus. In this case a bell, a bell was a
neutral stimulus and by Pavlov’s association it became a conditioned stimulus and the dog would salivate whenever he heard it
(CR).
Another type of conditioning is operant conditioning. The principle of operant conditioning is learning through reinforcement. There
are three main ways behaviour is learnt; positive and negative reinforcement and punishment. Positive reinforcement is being
rewarded whenever a certain behaviour is performed whereas negative reinforcement is avoiding something unpleasant. Skinner
created and explained operant conditioning through his work on rats. He placed a hungry rat inside the “Skinner box, including a
lever which once they activated, a food pellet was released (positive reinforcement). The rat swiftly learnt to go straight to the lever
after a few times of being put in the box. This indicates positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behaviour being
repeated. In a variation, the rat was placed in a cage where it was given an electric shock, the lever would switch off the electric
shock (negative reinforcement). The rats quickly learnt to press the lever to stop the shocks. This indicates that negative
reinforcement leads to an increased likelihood of behaviours that avoid a negative consequence. Punishing them in a different
condition where the lever caused electric currents conditioned the rats to stop pressing the lever.
Evaluation
One strength of the behaviourist approach is that it has real-life application.
For example, classical and operant conditioning is often used in prisons and educational settings through the use of token
economy to try and reward good behaviour.
This is important because it shows that the theory has high ecological validity. After all, we can use this in real-life settings.
Therefore, this allows us to predict and control peoples behaviour in everyday settings and situations.
One limitation of the behaviourist approach is that it is deterministic.
For example, the behaviourist approach believes that behaviour is a result of learning through association or learning through
consequences.
This is a limitation as it doesn’t consider other causes of behaviour including our biology, our own free will and the influence from
our role models.
Therefore, the behaviourist approach is a limited explanation of behaviour as it only focuses on one aspect.
One strength of the behaviourist approach is that it has scientific credibility.
For example, the methodology is used to observe behaviours in highly controlled environments like a laboratory where
everything can be precisely measured and controlled. This is evident in Skinner's experiment where he controlled the rats in his
box.
This is important because it allows other psychologists to replicate the study, which increases its reliability.
Therefore, the behaviourist approach meets some of the aims in science.
One limitation of the behaviourist approach is that it has largely come from animal studies.
For example, Skinner’s experiment with rats showed that we can condition them with the behaviourist approach. This is also
evident in Pavlov’s dog's experiment.
This is important because the findings may not be replicated in humans due to issues with extrapolation.
Therefore, we cannot generalise the findings from animals to humans.
§ We are born as a blank slate (tabula rasa), behaviour is acquired from experience.
§ Only behaviour which can be observed is measurable scientifically.
§ It is valid to study animals as they employ similar learning principals to humans (classical and operant
conditioning).
Classical Conditioning
o Classical Conditioning (CC) and Pavlov's Research: CC is learning by association.The association is created
between a formerly neutral stimulus and a reflex response. This stimulus-response association can be positive or
negative. Essentially, a stimulus (e.g. a specific song) causes a physiological response (e.g. happiness) – if this
association is reiterated several times, the response will automatically occur every time the stimulus is presented
(e.g. you'll be happy whenever that song plays).
o Key Research: Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1927) – devised the concept of CC while studying dogs in a different
experiment. He realised they salivated at the sound of the door (from where the assistants usually came in with
food for them). He studied this more. Dogs naturally salivate at food – this link was explained as the unconditioned
stimulus (UCS – Food) producing an unconditioned response (UCR – salivation). He then repeatedly paired the
UCS (food) with a neutral stimulus (NS - ringing a bell) right before showing the food. He found that the dogs
ultimately began to salivate at just the sound of the bell (with or without the food present). Therefore, the previously
NS (the bell) had now become a conditioned stimulus (CS), causing a conditioned response (CR) of salivation.
Operant Conditioning
o Operant Conditioning and Skinner's Research: Operant conditioning (OC) centres on the principle that learning
is a result of the consequences of our actions. If behaviours result in positive outcomes, then the behaviour is
likely to be repeated. If the consequences are unpleasant, then the behaviour wouldn't continue. Three
consequences outlined: Positive reinforcement: is receiving a reward, e.g. a good grade; Negative reinforcement:
occurs when performing an action stops something unpleasant happening. E.g. in one of Skinner's experiments a
rat had to press a lever to stop receiving an electric shock; Punishment: this is an unpleasant consequence. E.g.
being grounded for not doing your homework.
o Key Research: B.F Skinner (1953) – Rats were placed in boxes alone, including a lever which once they
activated, a food pellet was released (positive reinforcement). The rat swiftly learnt to go straight to the lever after
a few times of being put in the box – indicates positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behaviour being
repeated. In a variation, the rat was placed in a cage where it was given an electric shock – the lever would switch
off the electric shock (negative reinforcement) the rats quickly learnt to press the lever to stop the shocks –
indicated negative reinforcement leads to increasing likelihood of behaviour which avoids the negative
consequence. Punishing them in a different condition (where the lever caused electric currents) caused them to
stop pressing the lever.
, Outline and Evaluate the Behaviourist approach (16 marks)
Outline
The behaviourist approach assumes that human behaviour can be explained through conditioning and is shaped and learnt
through the environment. Conditioning includes making a learned association between stimuli and response. Behaviourists also
believe our minds are blank when we are born and there is no genetic influence on our behaviour. Behaviourists are only concerned
with behaviour that can be measured and observed. There are two types of conditioning that explain human behaviour, which is
classical and operant conditioning.
Classical conditioning originated through the work of Pavlov and occurs through learning by association. Pavlov was able to show
how the association works in his study on dogs. In his experiment whenever he brought food (UCS) for the dogs they would start
salivating (UCR). Pavlov wondered if he could associate the dog to salivate to another stimulus. In this case a bell, a bell was a
neutral stimulus and by Pavlov’s association it became a conditioned stimulus and the dog would salivate whenever he heard it
(CR).
Another type of conditioning is operant conditioning. The principle of operant conditioning is learning through reinforcement. There
are three main ways behaviour is learnt; positive and negative reinforcement and punishment. Positive reinforcement is being
rewarded whenever a certain behaviour is performed whereas negative reinforcement is avoiding something unpleasant. Skinner
created and explained operant conditioning through his work on rats. He placed a hungry rat inside the “Skinner box, including a
lever which once they activated, a food pellet was released (positive reinforcement). The rat swiftly learnt to go straight to the lever
after a few times of being put in the box. This indicates positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behaviour being
repeated. In a variation, the rat was placed in a cage where it was given an electric shock, the lever would switch off the electric
shock (negative reinforcement). The rats quickly learnt to press the lever to stop the shocks. This indicates that negative
reinforcement leads to an increased likelihood of behaviours that avoid a negative consequence. Punishing them in a different
condition where the lever caused electric currents conditioned the rats to stop pressing the lever.
Evaluation
One strength of the behaviourist approach is that it has real-life application.
For example, classical and operant conditioning is often used in prisons and educational settings through the use of token
economy to try and reward good behaviour.
This is important because it shows that the theory has high ecological validity. After all, we can use this in real-life settings.
Therefore, this allows us to predict and control peoples behaviour in everyday settings and situations.
One limitation of the behaviourist approach is that it is deterministic.
For example, the behaviourist approach believes that behaviour is a result of learning through association or learning through
consequences.
This is a limitation as it doesn’t consider other causes of behaviour including our biology, our own free will and the influence from
our role models.
Therefore, the behaviourist approach is a limited explanation of behaviour as it only focuses on one aspect.
One strength of the behaviourist approach is that it has scientific credibility.
For example, the methodology is used to observe behaviours in highly controlled environments like a laboratory where
everything can be precisely measured and controlled. This is evident in Skinner's experiment where he controlled the rats in his
box.
This is important because it allows other psychologists to replicate the study, which increases its reliability.
Therefore, the behaviourist approach meets some of the aims in science.
One limitation of the behaviourist approach is that it has largely come from animal studies.
For example, Skinner’s experiment with rats showed that we can condition them with the behaviourist approach. This is also
evident in Pavlov’s dog's experiment.
This is important because the findings may not be replicated in humans due to issues with extrapolation.
Therefore, we cannot generalise the findings from animals to humans.
