Behaviourist approach

Behaviourist approach

1. Classical conditioning

   • PAVLOV'S DOG
     • UCS ( FOOD) ------ UCR (SALIVATION)
       • NS (BELL)-------NO RESPONSE
         • UCS(FOOD) + NS(BELL)-----UCR(SALIVATION)
           • CS(BELL)-----CR(SALIVATION)
   • Association made between previously neutral response & a reflex response.
     • CC = A reflexive response.
   • Stimulus discrimination
     • wont be associated with conditioned response
       • Too different from origonal stimulus
   • CONTIGUITY
     • Occur close together
   • FREQUENCY
     • Repeated many times
   • EXTINCTION
     • If UCS isnt presented with the response.
   • SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY
     • Occurs if CS and UCS are paired together again.
   • GENERALISATION
     • Responds to other similar stimuli.

2. Operant conditioning

   • SKINNERS RATS
     • Push a LEVER and a PELLET comes out every time
       • CONTINOUS reinforcement
     • ELECTRIC FLOOR = a punishment
     • positive reinforcement = rats learn to push lever much faster.
     • Anecdents = what happens prior to a behaviour being performed
     • to analyse behaviour:
       • Anecdents
       • Behaviours
       • Consequences
   • LEARN BY CONSEQUENCE
     • If behaviour is reinforced it will appear more frequently and quickly.
       • POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
         • E.G. POTENTIAL FOR BETTER GRADES
       • NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
         • E.G. AVOIDING DETENTION
       • PUNISHMENT
         • makes NOT doing the action LESS likely.
       • Types of reinforcement
         • Continuous
         • Fixed interval
         • Variable interval
         • Fixed ratio
         • Variable ratio

3. Environmental stimuli & experience = learning

   • CONDITIONING

4. EVALUATION

   • Reasearch on animals generalisable?
   • Doesnt consider cognition?
   • Deterministic - no contro lover our own behaviour.
   • Spontaneous behaviour can't be explained.
   • Lead to SD - effective.