Behaviourist Approach
❖ Assumptions (Blank slate,Conditioning, Humans and animals)
❖ Therapy (Link to Assumptions, main components, effectiveness evaluation, ethical
evaluation)
❖ Classic research (Methodology, procedure, findings, evaluation, social and ethical
implications)
❖ Debate (Conditioning in the home, school, amongst peers, for vulnerable groups,
ethical social and economic implications, overall conclusions)
❖ Evaluation of the Behaviourist Approach (Strengths and weaknesses)
Assumptions
Assumption: Humans are born like a ‘Tabula Rasa’
Using an example from psychology, describe the humans are born as blank state
‘Tabula Rasa’ assumption of the behaviourist approach [4]
→ One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that humans are born as a blank
state. We aren’t born equipped with the ability to think, and emotions have no
influence over our behaviour. What we learn through our interactions with the
environment determines our behaviour.
→ This approach is on the nurture side of the debate as it’s determined by external
factors to the individual.
One example from psychology is Bandura. He demonstrated how children learn aggression
through external factors. He exposed children to aggressive/non-aggressive role models who
either acted aggressive or kind to the bobo dolls. The children who observed the adult playing
nicely with the dolls tended to do the same thing. However, the children that observed the adult
being aggressive with the doll, they repeated.
Explain how a psychologist could apply the assumption of humans are born as
blank slate ‘tabula rasa assumption to understanding human behaviour. [5]
The assumption of a blank state can be applied to criminal behaviour.
→ Sutherland proposed the Differential Association Theory, suggesting that offending
behaviour is explained in terms of social learning. We observe behaviour from our role models
and imitate the behaviour. If it’s positively reinforced, we are likely to engage in criminal
behaviour in the future. If people mix with others who have favourable attitudes towards crime,
they will be influenced and have a positive attitude about crime. If people mix with others who
don’t, this will affect what they come to believe.
Assumption: Behaviour is learned through conditioning
, Using examples from psychology, describe the behaviourist assumption that
behaviour is learned through conditioning. [4]
One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that behaviour is learnt through conditioning.
There are 2 types, classical and operant conditioning.
→ Classical conditioning is learnt through association. Pavlov identified the process of
learning through his work observing salivation in dogs. He suggested that classical conditioning
occurred in 3 steps:
➔ Before conditioning, he presented his dogs with food (UCS) which led to the dog
salivating (UCR)
➔ During conditioning, he introduced a bell (NS) at the same time giving the food (UC)
➔ Over time, the bell and food became associated in the dog’s mind until Pavlov rang the
bell (CS). It led to the dog salivating (CR)
Explain how a psychologist could apply the behaviourist assumption that
behaviour is learnt through conditioning to understanding human behaviour. [5]
One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that behaviour is learnt through conditioning.
There are 2 types, classical and operant conditioning.
One example is phobias and Watson & Rayner on Little Albert. They exposed little Albert to
a white rat and other furry objects. Later on in the study, Watson would make a loud noise when
Albert would play with the white rat.
The UCS is the loud noise, which led to the UCR to be fear. The NS and CS is the fluffy white
objects, which leads to the CR to be fear. Therefore, Watson & Rayner successfully induced a
phobia in Albert.
Assumption: Humans and animals learn in similar ways
Using examples from psychology, describe the humans and animals learn in
similar ways assumption of the behaviourist approach. [4]
One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that humans and animals learn in similar ways.
Behaviourists believe that the only difference between animals and humans is quantitative and
regards structure, like brain size. As a result, findings from animal studies can be applied to
predict human behaviour.
For example, Pavlov established the concept of classical conditioning through his work with
dogs.
One example from psychology is Skinner’s research with rats and pigeons. He displayed a
token economy system, where desirable behaviour is reinforced with tokens. It can also be used
in school to manage students' behaviour by using gold stars.
Explain how a psychologist could apply the behaviourist assumption that humans
and animals learn in similar ways to understanding human behaviour. [5]
One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that humans and animals learn in similar ways.
Behaviourists believe that the only difference between animals and humans is quantitative and
regards structure, like brain size. As a result, findings from animal studies can be applied to
predict human behaviour.
❖ Assumptions (Blank slate,Conditioning, Humans and animals)
❖ Therapy (Link to Assumptions, main components, effectiveness evaluation, ethical
evaluation)
❖ Classic research (Methodology, procedure, findings, evaluation, social and ethical
implications)
❖ Debate (Conditioning in the home, school, amongst peers, for vulnerable groups,
ethical social and economic implications, overall conclusions)
❖ Evaluation of the Behaviourist Approach (Strengths and weaknesses)
Assumptions
Assumption: Humans are born like a ‘Tabula Rasa’
Using an example from psychology, describe the humans are born as blank state
‘Tabula Rasa’ assumption of the behaviourist approach [4]
→ One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that humans are born as a blank
state. We aren’t born equipped with the ability to think, and emotions have no
influence over our behaviour. What we learn through our interactions with the
environment determines our behaviour.
→ This approach is on the nurture side of the debate as it’s determined by external
factors to the individual.
One example from psychology is Bandura. He demonstrated how children learn aggression
through external factors. He exposed children to aggressive/non-aggressive role models who
either acted aggressive or kind to the bobo dolls. The children who observed the adult playing
nicely with the dolls tended to do the same thing. However, the children that observed the adult
being aggressive with the doll, they repeated.
Explain how a psychologist could apply the assumption of humans are born as
blank slate ‘tabula rasa assumption to understanding human behaviour. [5]
The assumption of a blank state can be applied to criminal behaviour.
→ Sutherland proposed the Differential Association Theory, suggesting that offending
behaviour is explained in terms of social learning. We observe behaviour from our role models
and imitate the behaviour. If it’s positively reinforced, we are likely to engage in criminal
behaviour in the future. If people mix with others who have favourable attitudes towards crime,
they will be influenced and have a positive attitude about crime. If people mix with others who
don’t, this will affect what they come to believe.
Assumption: Behaviour is learned through conditioning
, Using examples from psychology, describe the behaviourist assumption that
behaviour is learned through conditioning. [4]
One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that behaviour is learnt through conditioning.
There are 2 types, classical and operant conditioning.
→ Classical conditioning is learnt through association. Pavlov identified the process of
learning through his work observing salivation in dogs. He suggested that classical conditioning
occurred in 3 steps:
➔ Before conditioning, he presented his dogs with food (UCS) which led to the dog
salivating (UCR)
➔ During conditioning, he introduced a bell (NS) at the same time giving the food (UC)
➔ Over time, the bell and food became associated in the dog’s mind until Pavlov rang the
bell (CS). It led to the dog salivating (CR)
Explain how a psychologist could apply the behaviourist assumption that
behaviour is learnt through conditioning to understanding human behaviour. [5]
One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that behaviour is learnt through conditioning.
There are 2 types, classical and operant conditioning.
One example is phobias and Watson & Rayner on Little Albert. They exposed little Albert to
a white rat and other furry objects. Later on in the study, Watson would make a loud noise when
Albert would play with the white rat.
The UCS is the loud noise, which led to the UCR to be fear. The NS and CS is the fluffy white
objects, which leads to the CR to be fear. Therefore, Watson & Rayner successfully induced a
phobia in Albert.
Assumption: Humans and animals learn in similar ways
Using examples from psychology, describe the humans and animals learn in
similar ways assumption of the behaviourist approach. [4]
One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that humans and animals learn in similar ways.
Behaviourists believe that the only difference between animals and humans is quantitative and
regards structure, like brain size. As a result, findings from animal studies can be applied to
predict human behaviour.
For example, Pavlov established the concept of classical conditioning through his work with
dogs.
One example from psychology is Skinner’s research with rats and pigeons. He displayed a
token economy system, where desirable behaviour is reinforced with tokens. It can also be used
in school to manage students' behaviour by using gold stars.
Explain how a psychologist could apply the behaviourist assumption that humans
and animals learn in similar ways to understanding human behaviour. [5]
One assumption of the behaviourist approach is that humans and animals learn in similar ways.
Behaviourists believe that the only difference between animals and humans is quantitative and
regards structure, like brain size. As a result, findings from animal studies can be applied to
predict human behaviour.
