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The Behaviourist Approach - explains behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
The Behaviourist Approach - explains behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
Evaluation
Real-life application - operant conditioning is basis of token-economy systems used in institutions like prisons (rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges). Classical conditioning has implications in the treatment of phobias (systematic desensitisation).
Mechanistic view of behaviour - implies humans and animals are passive and machine-like responders with little or no conscious insight into their behaviour. This is because the approach does not pay any attention to mental processes involved in learning (compare to Cognitive and SLT)
Scientific Credibility - focuses on measurement of observable behaviour within highly controlled lab settings. Emphasises importance of objectivity and replication, so is influential in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline.
Environmental determinism - sees all behaviour as determined by past experiences: Skinner suggests our behaviour is the sum total of our reinforcement history. Takes away any element of free-will, implying all the choices we make were already determined by our past conditioning history.
Ethical and practical issues of animal studies - animals involved in Skinner's research were exposed to stressful and aversive conditions and this may have affected how they reacted to the experimental situation.
Assumptions
Only concerned with studying behaviour that can be observed and measured. Not concerned with mental processes of the mind. Introspection was therefore rejected by behaviourists as its concepts were vague and difficult to measure.
Tried to maintain more control and objectivity within research and relied on lab studies to achieve this.
Suggests processes that govern learning are the same in all species, so animals can replace humans as experimental subjects.
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