Behaviourial & Social Learning Approach

Behaviourial & Social Learning Approach

1. Definition (Kimble, 1961)

   • Relatively permanent
   • Behavioural Potential
   • Comes from experience

2. Assumptions

   • Blank slate when born
   • Observable behaviours
   • Research should be scientific
   • No free will- behaviour determined by environment & learning

3. Theory 1: CLASSICAL CONDITIONING (Pavlov- dogs)

   • Learn via ASSOCIATIONS
     • 1) Unconditional stimulus: Dog food
       • 2) Unconditional response: salivation
         • 3) Neutral stimulus - changes to Conditioned stimulus: bell
           • 4) Conditioned stimulus: salivation
     • stimuli presented together are linked and cause the same behaviour / emotional response

4. Theory 2: OPERANT CONDITIONING (Skinner - rats)

   • Learn via CONSEQUENCES
     • Increased probability of repetition
       • 1) POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT (gain positive experience)
       • 2) NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT (lose negative experience)
     • Decreased probability of repetition
       • 3) PUNISHMENT (gain negative experience)
     • The way others respond to our behaviour affects the probability of its repetition

5. Theory 3: SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY (Bandura - Bobo doll)

   • Learn via IMITATION OF ROLE MODELS
     • Focuses on mental processes (e.g. attention) as well as behaviour (e.g. imitation) so not a purely behaviourist theory
     • 1) ATTENTION
       • 2) RETENTION
         • 3) REPRODUCTION
           • 4) MOTIVATION
             • 5) IDENTIFICATION

6. STRENGTHS

   • Experimental support
   • Scientific methods used in research
   • Practlcal applications in every day life and for mental disorders
   • Can explain why human behaviour is different in diverse cultures & societies
   • Can explain the effect & importance of media

7. WEAKNESSES

   • Use of animals / children so may not apply to adults
   • SIMPLISTIC: Ignores internal processes, e.g. emotions, memory, morals
   • DETERMINISTIC: Free will is an illusion, behaviour determined by environment
   • SIMPLISTIC: Ignores effect of biological factors