Learning Approaches: Behaviourism

Learning Approaches: Behaviourism

1. 3 assumptions

   • Assumes all beh. is learnt
   • Learnt beh. can be unlearnt.
   • Abnormal beh. is learnt in same way (depression)

2. Sees beh. as learnt through experience and interaction with the environment- only interested in studying beh. that can be observed and measured-tried to maintain more control than in introspection and relied on lab exp.

3. Classical conditioning: learning through association- Pavlov's dogs.

   • UCS=naturally occurring event in the env. -often associated with a reflex action.
   • UCR=involuntary automatic response to UCS.
   • NS=produces no response.
   • CS= name given to NS after being paired continuously with UCS and after association.
   • CR=same behavioural response as the UCR which is now produced due to CS after conditioning.
     • Watson and Rayner: Little Albert-11 month old and white rat-loud noise

4. Operant conditioning: learning through consequence- Skinner.

   • Positive reinforcement: receiving something pleasant=more likely to repeat beh.
   • Negative reinforcement: something unpleasant being removed- increases beh.
   • Positive Punishment: receiving something unpleasant-less likely to repeat.
   • Negative Punishment: something pleasant being taken away-less likely to repeat.
   • Skinner's box=rats and pigeons-when they activated a lever they got food-avoiding unpleasant stimulus of an electric shock.

5. Behaviourism Positive Evaluation: gave psychology scientific credibility (focused on observable beh. within controlled lab settings- they emphasise objectivity and replication-gives better credibility and status) -- laws of learning developed by behaviourists has real life application (token economy systems )

   • Negative Evaluation: has environmental determinism (sees all behaviour as coming from past experiences and conditioning but ignores free will-ignores conscious decision making)-- animal research has ethical and practical issues (stressful and adverse conditions so may have affected how they reacted-reduces validity)