Behaviorism - created from Mind Map

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Assumptions

Classical conditioning

Operant conditioning

Application

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

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

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

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

An existing involuntary reflex response is associated with a new stimulus (learning by association)

Pavlov's dogs

Watson and Rayner - Little Albert

new voluntary behaviour is associated with a consequence (learning by consequences)

Skinners box

Positive reinforcement

Negative reinforcement

Punishment

Positive reinforcement - Rat rewarded with food when it pressed the lever

Negative reinforcement - rat was able to turn off electric shock by pressing lever

Receiving a reward based on an action. Increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.

A behavior strengthened by avoiding a negative outcome. Increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.

A consequence that makes a behaviour less likely to occur

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.

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