Behavioural Approach
Behavioural psychology was hugely influential and was considered the main approach to
psychology in the mid 1900’s. This approach was the driving force in helping psychology
become recognised as a science, as it was developed during a period of time where science and
technology was advancing rapidly. Behaviourism explains why we behave the way we do, and
how we can adjust that behaviour if needed. It focuses on the observable behaviours of the
subject, not the non-visible aspects such as feelings and processes. Behaviourists believe that
all behaviour is learnt from the environment, as well as through associative learning.
Behaviourism consists of two forms of associative learning, classical conditioning and operant
conditioning.
Classical conditioning involves making an association between two stimuli to create a new
learned response. The first phase of classical conditioning requires an unconditioned stimulus
that will automatically evoke a natural response. The unconditioned stimulus is paired with a
neutral stimulus repeatedly, forming an association. As a result of this association, the now
conditioned stimulus is able to evoke a response without the unconditioned stimulus present,
resulting in a conditioned response. The theory of classical conditioning was discovered by
Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov in 1905. Pavlov decided to investigate the theory of classical
conditioning by undertaking a famous experiment which we now know as Pavlov’s dogs. His
experiment began with the premise that when a dog is presented with food (unconditioned
stimulus) it drools as a naturally occurring reflex (unconditioned response). He then took a bell
and rung it (neutral stimulus), he discovered that the bell alone produces no response. Pavlov
began ringing the bell each time the dogs were presented with food to form an association. The
dogs soon associated the bell with food (conditioned stimulus) and began to salivate as a
response to the bell, even without being presented with food (conditioned response).
Operant conditioning is based on making associations between a response and its
consequences. The principles state that if a behaviour is followed by a positive reinforcement
it is likely to be repeated, whereas a behaviour followed by a punishment will likely be stopped.
Therefore, behaviour can be encouraged or discouraged by providing a reward or punishment.
Behaviourist B.F Skinner invented a mechanism known as the Skinner Box. Skinner explained
how positive reinforcement worked by fitting a box with a lever in which when pressed, a pellet
of food was released. He placed lab rats inside the box and they quickly learned that in order
, to receive food they must press the lever. Skinner added variations to the box by adding a floor
that produced electrical currents to explain negative reinforcement. When the rats were
introduced to the box, they were met with an electrical shock which caused them distress. After
several shocks the rats very quickly learnt that in order not to get shocked, they had to press
the lever. The rewards of receiving food and escaping the electrical currents, ensured that they
repeated the action of pressing the lever over and over again.
How the behavioural approach explains addiction
Behaviourists see addictive behaviour in the form of operant conditioning and they believe that
an action or substance can only become an addictive trait if it is rewarded. This is due to the
principles of operant conditioning which state that if a behaviour is followed by a reward it is
more likely to be repeated. When an individual carries out an addictive behaviour, it is typically
followed by a reward which can be a positive or negative reinforcement e.g. a high, pleasure,
or stress relief. This encourages the repetition of the specific behaviour, eventually leading to
addiction. In relation to drug and alcohol addiction, they tend to feel an urge to take these
substances to experience a reward. These substances release endorphins and give the feeling
of euphoria, which is the positive reinforcement most addicts look for. In many cases, drugs
and alcohol provide a form of stress relief and pain reduction which classifies as negative
reinforcement. An addictive cycle forms when the body begins to build a tolerance and
diminish the rewards of the drugs and alcohol. This causes the individual to suffer withdrawal
symptoms such as agitation and anxiety, since they are no longer receiving the rewards they
want. This is when they increase their intake in order to get the same rewards (e.g. euphoria
and stress relief) and become more dependent on their addiction. Behaviourists would see Amy
Winehouse’s addiction as an attempted relief from her busy life schedule. Being a famous
musician, Amy had to manage large amounts of stress and anxiety, and therefore may have
turned to drugs and alcohol as a form of stress-relief (negative reinforcement). Amy would
soon form an association between the substances and the negative reinforcement, encouraging
her to repeat that behaviour. Eventually, the rewards Amy was feeling would begin to diminish
as her body builds a tolerance. She would begin to feel withdrawal symptoms and would
therefore increase her intake and become reliant on her addiction to achieve the stress-relief
she wanted.
Behavioural psychology was hugely influential and was considered the main approach to
psychology in the mid 1900’s. This approach was the driving force in helping psychology
become recognised as a science, as it was developed during a period of time where science and
technology was advancing rapidly. Behaviourism explains why we behave the way we do, and
how we can adjust that behaviour if needed. It focuses on the observable behaviours of the
subject, not the non-visible aspects such as feelings and processes. Behaviourists believe that
all behaviour is learnt from the environment, as well as through associative learning.
Behaviourism consists of two forms of associative learning, classical conditioning and operant
conditioning.
Classical conditioning involves making an association between two stimuli to create a new
learned response. The first phase of classical conditioning requires an unconditioned stimulus
that will automatically evoke a natural response. The unconditioned stimulus is paired with a
neutral stimulus repeatedly, forming an association. As a result of this association, the now
conditioned stimulus is able to evoke a response without the unconditioned stimulus present,
resulting in a conditioned response. The theory of classical conditioning was discovered by
Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov in 1905. Pavlov decided to investigate the theory of classical
conditioning by undertaking a famous experiment which we now know as Pavlov’s dogs. His
experiment began with the premise that when a dog is presented with food (unconditioned
stimulus) it drools as a naturally occurring reflex (unconditioned response). He then took a bell
and rung it (neutral stimulus), he discovered that the bell alone produces no response. Pavlov
began ringing the bell each time the dogs were presented with food to form an association. The
dogs soon associated the bell with food (conditioned stimulus) and began to salivate as a
response to the bell, even without being presented with food (conditioned response).
Operant conditioning is based on making associations between a response and its
consequences. The principles state that if a behaviour is followed by a positive reinforcement
it is likely to be repeated, whereas a behaviour followed by a punishment will likely be stopped.
Therefore, behaviour can be encouraged or discouraged by providing a reward or punishment.
Behaviourist B.F Skinner invented a mechanism known as the Skinner Box. Skinner explained
how positive reinforcement worked by fitting a box with a lever in which when pressed, a pellet
of food was released. He placed lab rats inside the box and they quickly learned that in order
, to receive food they must press the lever. Skinner added variations to the box by adding a floor
that produced electrical currents to explain negative reinforcement. When the rats were
introduced to the box, they were met with an electrical shock which caused them distress. After
several shocks the rats very quickly learnt that in order not to get shocked, they had to press
the lever. The rewards of receiving food and escaping the electrical currents, ensured that they
repeated the action of pressing the lever over and over again.
How the behavioural approach explains addiction
Behaviourists see addictive behaviour in the form of operant conditioning and they believe that
an action or substance can only become an addictive trait if it is rewarded. This is due to the
principles of operant conditioning which state that if a behaviour is followed by a reward it is
more likely to be repeated. When an individual carries out an addictive behaviour, it is typically
followed by a reward which can be a positive or negative reinforcement e.g. a high, pleasure,
or stress relief. This encourages the repetition of the specific behaviour, eventually leading to
addiction. In relation to drug and alcohol addiction, they tend to feel an urge to take these
substances to experience a reward. These substances release endorphins and give the feeling
of euphoria, which is the positive reinforcement most addicts look for. In many cases, drugs
and alcohol provide a form of stress relief and pain reduction which classifies as negative
reinforcement. An addictive cycle forms when the body begins to build a tolerance and
diminish the rewards of the drugs and alcohol. This causes the individual to suffer withdrawal
symptoms such as agitation and anxiety, since they are no longer receiving the rewards they
want. This is when they increase their intake in order to get the same rewards (e.g. euphoria
and stress relief) and become more dependent on their addiction. Behaviourists would see Amy
Winehouse’s addiction as an attempted relief from her busy life schedule. Being a famous
musician, Amy had to manage large amounts of stress and anxiety, and therefore may have
turned to drugs and alcohol as a form of stress-relief (negative reinforcement). Amy would
soon form an association between the substances and the negative reinforcement, encouraging
her to repeat that behaviour. Eventually, the rewards Amy was feeling would begin to diminish
as her body builds a tolerance. She would begin to feel withdrawal symptoms and would
therefore increase her intake and become reliant on her addiction to achieve the stress-relief
she wanted.
