Behaviorism

Behaviorism

1. Assumptions

   • Observable behavior
   • Animals and humans learn in the same ways so behaviorists carry out experiments on animals and generalise results to humans.
   • Lab experiment based

2. Classical conditioning

   • An existing involuntary reflex response is associated with a new stimulus (learning by association)
   • Pavlov's dogs
   • Watson and Rayner - Little Albert

3. Operant conditioning

   • new voluntary behaviour is associated with a consequence (learning by consequences)
   • Skinners box
     • Positive reinforcement - Rat rewarded with food when it pressed the lever
     • Negative reinforcement - rat was able to turn off electric shock by pressing lever
   • Positive reinforcement
     • Receiving a reward based on an action. Increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.
   • Negative reinforcement
     • A behavior strengthened by avoiding a negative outcome. Increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.
   • Punishment
     • A consequence that makes a behaviour less likely to occur

4. Application

   • Behaviorism has increased our understanding of the causes of phobias and attachment.
   • Given rise to therapies such as systematic desensitisation and token economy e.g. in prisons.

5. Scientific (lab experiments) - Control of extraneous and independent variables. This allows a cause and effect relationship to be established.

6. Strong nurture side - Better decisions with regard to education and child-rearing.

7. Deterministic - Ignores the role of free will e.g. Little Albert's fear response was created through conditioning.

   • Lacks ecological validity which means that results may not be a true reflection of real life behaviour.

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