Biological Approach Vs. Behaviourist Approach
1: Both state that there is no free will, but for different reasons:
Biological:
- There is no free will as behaviour is determined by genetics.
Behaviourist:
- We are born ‘blank slates’ (tabula rasa) and there is no genetic influence to
behaviour, but it states that humans (and animals) can be conditioned to act in a
certain way.
2: Biological uses nomothetic methods, whereas behaviourism is both
nomothetic and idiographic, as it establishes universal principles of
behaviour but also uses case studies to establish a more holistic element.
3: Differences in their theories/how behaviour is explained:
Biological: behaviour is affected by genetics, biological structures and
neurochemistry:
- Phenotype + genotype = environment
- Monozygotic (100% identical) and dizygotic (50% identical) twins
concordance rate measures agreement between twins
- Evolution
- CNS (controls physiology)
- PNS (autonomic and somatic)
- Endocrine system pituitary gland
- Body chemistry hormones; neurotransmitters via cerebral fluid; low level of
serotonin = OCD; high levels of dopamine = schizophrenia.
Behaviourist: states that behaviour is learnt from the environment, that only
observable behaviour is measurable scientifically, and that it is valid to study the
behaviour of animals as they share the same principles of learning with humans:
- Classical conditioning (association between a CS and UCR):
Neutral no response
UCS UCR
UCS + CS UCR
CS CR
- Watson & Rayner (1920): Little Albert
- Stimulus generalisation; stimulus discrimination; time contiguity.
- Operant conditioning (learning by consequences):
- Positive reinforcement; negative reinforcement; punishment.
- Thorndike; Skinner.
- Skinner’s ABC model (antecedents; behaviour; consequences).
- Types of reinforcement: continuous; fixed interval; variable interval; fixed ratio;
variable ratio.
4: Both can result in practical applications, but while those of the
biological approach are treatment-based, those of behaviourism are based
within society:
Biological:
1: Both state that there is no free will, but for different reasons:
Biological:
- There is no free will as behaviour is determined by genetics.
Behaviourist:
- We are born ‘blank slates’ (tabula rasa) and there is no genetic influence to
behaviour, but it states that humans (and animals) can be conditioned to act in a
certain way.
2: Biological uses nomothetic methods, whereas behaviourism is both
nomothetic and idiographic, as it establishes universal principles of
behaviour but also uses case studies to establish a more holistic element.
3: Differences in their theories/how behaviour is explained:
Biological: behaviour is affected by genetics, biological structures and
neurochemistry:
- Phenotype + genotype = environment
- Monozygotic (100% identical) and dizygotic (50% identical) twins
concordance rate measures agreement between twins
- Evolution
- CNS (controls physiology)
- PNS (autonomic and somatic)
- Endocrine system pituitary gland
- Body chemistry hormones; neurotransmitters via cerebral fluid; low level of
serotonin = OCD; high levels of dopamine = schizophrenia.
Behaviourist: states that behaviour is learnt from the environment, that only
observable behaviour is measurable scientifically, and that it is valid to study the
behaviour of animals as they share the same principles of learning with humans:
- Classical conditioning (association between a CS and UCR):
Neutral no response
UCS UCR
UCS + CS UCR
CS CR
- Watson & Rayner (1920): Little Albert
- Stimulus generalisation; stimulus discrimination; time contiguity.
- Operant conditioning (learning by consequences):
- Positive reinforcement; negative reinforcement; punishment.
- Thorndike; Skinner.
- Skinner’s ABC model (antecedents; behaviour; consequences).
- Types of reinforcement: continuous; fixed interval; variable interval; fixed ratio;
variable ratio.
4: Both can result in practical applications, but while those of the
biological approach are treatment-based, those of behaviourism are based
within society:
Biological:
