Behavioural Approach:
Assumptions:
1) Observable behaviour only:
- According to behaviourists, experimental psychology should be based on empirical evidence
from observable behaviour.
- This includes participants reaction times and heart rates -> empirical -> stay objective and
scientific
2) Most behaviour is learnt:
- Behaviours are learned through experiences as we interact with our environment –
behaviour is due to our environment
- Changes in the environment cause changes in behaviour
3) Use of animal research
- John Watson was interested in observable behaviour and believed humans and animals
behaved in similar ways
Animals and humans use the same learning mechanisms
Meaning behaviourist believe it does not matter whether we use humans or animals in
research
Research can use animals to reach conclusions about human behaviour
Learning mechanisms:
1)Classical conditioning
Classical conditioning is when something neutral becomes associated with something that already
makes you feel a certain way. (CC = neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus through
repeated association with an unconditioned response)
Neutral stimulus = NS – does not make us feel any way
Unconditioned stimulus = when a stimulus already does make us feel or respond in a certain way =
UCS
Unconditioned response = the response we can get from an unconditioned stimulus = UCR
-> due to classical conditioning our feelings towards a neutral stimulus can change
Conditioned stimulus – CS
Conditioned response – CR
Before CC there is a neutral stimulus which causes no response and unconditioned stimulus which
causes an unconditioned response.
Neutral stimulus = no response
Unconditioned stimulus = unconditioned response
During classical conditioning the neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned
stimulus.
NS + UCS
Assumptions:
1) Observable behaviour only:
- According to behaviourists, experimental psychology should be based on empirical evidence
from observable behaviour.
- This includes participants reaction times and heart rates -> empirical -> stay objective and
scientific
2) Most behaviour is learnt:
- Behaviours are learned through experiences as we interact with our environment –
behaviour is due to our environment
- Changes in the environment cause changes in behaviour
3) Use of animal research
- John Watson was interested in observable behaviour and believed humans and animals
behaved in similar ways
Animals and humans use the same learning mechanisms
Meaning behaviourist believe it does not matter whether we use humans or animals in
research
Research can use animals to reach conclusions about human behaviour
Learning mechanisms:
1)Classical conditioning
Classical conditioning is when something neutral becomes associated with something that already
makes you feel a certain way. (CC = neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus through
repeated association with an unconditioned response)
Neutral stimulus = NS – does not make us feel any way
Unconditioned stimulus = when a stimulus already does make us feel or respond in a certain way =
UCS
Unconditioned response = the response we can get from an unconditioned stimulus = UCR
-> due to classical conditioning our feelings towards a neutral stimulus can change
Conditioned stimulus – CS
Conditioned response – CR
Before CC there is a neutral stimulus which causes no response and unconditioned stimulus which
causes an unconditioned response.
Neutral stimulus = no response
Unconditioned stimulus = unconditioned response
During classical conditioning the neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned
stimulus.
NS + UCS
