LT2 - Behaviourist Approach, CC

LT2 - Behaviourist Approach, CC

1. Assumptions of Behaviourism

   • Observable and Measurable behaviour
   • Maintain control and objectivity
   • Animals share same principles as humans
   • Blank Slate - No Geneticinfluence

2. Classical Conditioning

   • UCS is a natural stimulus that produces an involuntary response
     • UCR is an unlearned response that is naturally occurring
       • NS does not elicit UCR
         • CS is, when paired with UCS, causes CR, previously the NS
           • CR is a learnt response to CS

3. Pavlov's Research

   • Bell = NS
     • Dog salivated at sound of NS, which had beocme CS
       • Salivation = CR
   • Food = UCS
     • Salivation = UCR

4. Other features of CC

   • Extinction
     • Loss of CR to CS
       • CS and UCS not paired for a while
         • Pavlov dogs stopped salivating to the bell
   • Spontaneous Recovery
     • Extinct response suddenly Reappears
       • CS once again ellicits CR
   • Stimulus Generalisation
     • Stimulus has close characteristics to CS
       • Little Albert fear of rat transferred to a dog
   • Stimulus discrimination
     • Stimuli similar to original CS do not produce CR
       • Too different from original CS
   • Temporal Contiguity
     • NS and UCS paired close together in time
       • For Association to be created
         • NS precedes the UCS = Best

5. Weaknesses

   • P: Environmental Determinism
     • E1: Machine-like responders to environment
       • E2: SLT/Cog emphasises mental events
         • E3: Processes mediate between S and R shows people play a more active response
           • L: Complex Human Behaviours
   • P: Incomplete Explanation
     • E1: Limited range of behaviours
       • E2: Simple reflex responses - Salivation and Anxiety
         • E3: Fear Dogs, not maintainence of it
           • L: Partial Explanation

6. Strengths

   • P: Enhanced Scientific Status
     • E1: Brought concepts/methods of natural scienes
       • E2: SOUNDPROOF Chamber for dog, so footsteps could not be heard
         • L: Emphasises objectivity and replication when testing for reliability
   • P: Positive Applications
     • E1: Therapies to phobias/addictions
       • E2: Aversion Therapy/Sys. Des.
         • L: Treat Maladaptive