APPROACHES

BEHAVIOURIST APPROACH

  • learning theory
  • an idea to make research more scientific

Assumptions of behaviourism

Behaviour is learned

  • except innate reflexes and instincts
  • however, evidence shows gentics effect features eg schizophrenia

Animals and humans learn the same way

  • through stimulus-response associations
  • however, while we both use conditioning, humans can also use eg, social learning

We cannot study the mind, only observe behaviour

  • obtain measurable data through observing
  • however, while we cannot measure cognitive abilities directly and scientifically, we can use the social learning theory

Conditioning

Classical conditioning

  • applied to human development, with comfort as an attachment
  • eg association of the mothers voice with comfort eg changing a nappy, eating etc

  • generalisation, similar stimuli to original CS cause CR, eg a different pitched bell
  • discrimination, when a stimuli similar to CS doesn't produce CR, happens when UCS eg food is withdrawn in presence of similar stimulus
  • extinction, when CR eg saliva isnt produced from CS, occurs when CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS
  • spontaneous recovery, when an extinct CR is produce from CS, happens is CS is presented after a period of time without using it

- higher order conditioning, when a new CS produces CR bc animal associated it with old CS, happens if new CS is presented repeatedly before old CS

Operant conditioning

  • low generalisability and reliability- use of animals and small sample

Strengths and Limitations to Conditioning

  • conditioning cant explain all behaviour, eg social learning theory
  • different animals of diff learning capacities eg just observation, genetic influence
  • unethical due to animal research

Little Albert

Watson and Rayner- 1920

  • 11 month boy, no fear of fluffy white objects
  • researchers wanted to create a conditioned response
  • they presented him with a white rabbit and simultaneously struck a metal bar behind his head, twice, then 5 times a week later

Results

  • Little Albert then cried at the sight of a rat, unlike before, and other white objects eg Santa beard

Concl

  • fear response conditioned to white fluffy objects- shows that abnormal behaviour can be learned

Evaluation

  • unethical
  • cannot be generalised to everyone as not everyone produces a phobia after a negative situ
  • lab study, lacks ecological validity
  • support pavlovs CC

Evaluation of Behaviourist Approach

  • criticised for ignoring influence of genetics
  • ignoring other ways of learning except conditioning
  • ignoring relevance of mental, cognitive processes to understanding behaviour