Behaviourists rejected the vagueness of introspection, focusing instead on observable events i.e. stimuli and responses, and conditions under which learning would be most likely to occur. Because of this focus on learning this approach is sometimes referred to as "learning theory". Behaviourists believe that much of human behaviour could be explained in terms of a basic form of learning known as conditioning. Concentrating here on Pavlov's research on classical conditioning and Skinners operant conditioning.
Classical Conditioning, Pavlov (1927)
Investigated the salivary reflex in dogs when he noticed that other stimuli created the saliva not just the food. The natural stimulus in any reflex is referred to as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and the natural reaction to this is the unconditioned response (UCR). A neutral stimulus (NS) which doesn't get the UCR is shown before the UCS.
After many pairings of the NS and UCS this changes and the NS is now able to produce the same response in the absence of the UCS. The NS now becomes the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the response it produces is called a conditioned response (CR).
Investigated the salivary reflex in dogs when he noticed that other stimuli created the saliva not just the food. The natural stimulus in any reflex is referred to as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and the natural reaction to this is the unconditioned response (UCR). A neutral stimulus (NS) which doesn't get the UCR is shown before the UCS.
After many pairings of the NS and UCS this changes and the NS is now able to produce the same response in the absence of the UCS. The NS now becomes the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the response it produces is called a conditioned response (CR).
Operant conditioning, Skinner (1938)
The idea was that organisms spontaneously produce different behaviours and these produce consequences for that organism, some of which may be desirable and some undesirable. Whether or not an organism repeats a particular behaviour depends on the nature of the consequences. In the "Skinner Box" the rat moves around the cage when it accidentally presses a lever and a food pellet (the reinforcer ) falls into the cage, in no time the hungry rat begins pressing the lever in order to obtain food. If the food pellet stops, the rat presses the lever a few more times and then abandons it (extinction). |
Types of Reinforcement
Reinforcement is something in the environment that strengthens or reinforces a particular behaviour and so makes it more likely to recur. Positive and negative reinforcers both make it more likely that a behaviour will recur, they do it in different ways. Positive reinforcement, occurs when behaviour produces a consequence that is satisfying or pleasant for the organism. Negative reinforcement, works because they remove something aversive (unpleasant) for example switching off an alarm, this restores the persons restful pre-alarm state. Schedules of reinforcement are effective in maintaining response and avoiding extinction. Punishment- refers to when a behaviour is followed by a consequence that is undesirable or unpleasant for the organism, Punishment decreases the likelihood of that behaviour returning. |
Evaluation
Strengths of classical conditioning, it led to the development of treatment for the reduction of anxiety associated with various phobias.
Limitations of classical conditioning, different species face different challenges to survive, so have different capabilities to learn through the process of classical conditioning. As a result the relationship between CS and UCS tend to be more difficult to establish from one species to another.
Strengths of Operant conditioning, his reliance on experimental method, which uses control conditions in an attempt to determine a possible causal relationship between two or more variables.
Limitations of operant conditioning, critiques Skinners experiment because they involved the study of non-human animals rather than humans. Critics say his studies tell us little about human behaviour. They say humans have free will rather than their behaviour being determined by positive or negative reinforcement. Skinner says we have no free will, external influences guide our behaviour on a daily basis.
Strengths of classical conditioning, it led to the development of treatment for the reduction of anxiety associated with various phobias.
Limitations of classical conditioning, different species face different challenges to survive, so have different capabilities to learn through the process of classical conditioning. As a result the relationship between CS and UCS tend to be more difficult to establish from one species to another.
Strengths of Operant conditioning, his reliance on experimental method, which uses control conditions in an attempt to determine a possible causal relationship between two or more variables.
Limitations of operant conditioning, critiques Skinners experiment because they involved the study of non-human animals rather than humans. Critics say his studies tell us little about human behaviour. They say humans have free will rather than their behaviour being determined by positive or negative reinforcement. Skinner says we have no free will, external influences guide our behaviour on a daily basis.
Key Terms
Behaviourist- People who believe that human behaviour can be explained in terms of conditioning, without the need to consider thoughts or feelings.
Classical conditioning- when a neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus so that it eventually takes on the properties of this stimulus and is able to produce a conditioned response.
Operant conditioning- learning through reinforcement or punishment. If a behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence then that behaviour is more likely to occur again in the future.
Punishment- involves the application of an unpleasant consequence following a behaviour, with the result that the behaviour is less likely to occur again in the future.
Reinforcement- a term used in psychology to refer to anything that strengthens a response and increases the likelihood that it will occur again in the future.
Behaviourist- People who believe that human behaviour can be explained in terms of conditioning, without the need to consider thoughts or feelings.
Classical conditioning- when a neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus so that it eventually takes on the properties of this stimulus and is able to produce a conditioned response.
Operant conditioning- learning through reinforcement or punishment. If a behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence then that behaviour is more likely to occur again in the future.
Punishment- involves the application of an unpleasant consequence following a behaviour, with the result that the behaviour is less likely to occur again in the future.
Reinforcement- a term used in psychology to refer to anything that strengthens a response and increases the likelihood that it will occur again in the future.
Resources and Activities
Explain what is meant by classical and operant conditioning.
Outline the main findings from Pavlov's research.
Outline the findings from Skinners research and introduce a criticism of it.
Outline a strength and a weakness of the behaviourist approach.
Explain what is meant by classical and operant conditioning.
Outline the main findings from Pavlov's research.
Outline the findings from Skinners research and introduce a criticism of it.
Outline a strength and a weakness of the behaviourist approach.