Behaviourist Approach:Classical and Operant Conditioning

Behaviourist Approach:Classical and Operant Conditioning

1. Operant

   • Skinner developed radical behaviourism
   • 'All behaviour is learned from consequences from our environment, that is operant conditioning'
     • Concerned with the use of consequences in order to modify and shape behaviour
   • Skinner Box experiment
   • Two types of reinforcement
     • Positive
       • Provides a feeling of satisfaction - increases the likelihood of the desired behaviour being repeated in future
     • Negative
       • Removal of an unpleasant experience to increase likelihood of desired behaviour being repeated. Punishment is the presence of a negative stimulus - decreases the likelhood of bahviour being repeated.
   • Used to modify speech in autistic children

2. 'Learning due to the association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned, reflex response'

   • Ivan Pavlov
     • Paired Association - conditioned reflex
   • Used to explain human behaviours such as fears.
   • Rayner and Watson (1920): Little Albert

3. Classical