Psychology
1a) Outline two assumptions’ of the behaviourist approach.
Classical conditioning: – learned by association. An environmental stimulus becomes associated with a behavioural response. E.g. Pavlov’s dog
Operant conditioning:-we learn by reinforcement.
๏positive reinforcement: – rewarding someone for their good behaviour so they repeat it again
๏negative reinforcement: – when something unpleasant is avoided
b) Describe the social learning theory
Behaviourist believe that all behaviours can be learnt and unlearnt .people learn through seeing the consequences of other people ‘s behaviour ( vicarious reinforcement) . Also learn via observational learning where people copy and imitate role models.
In bandura’s experiment one group of children observed model being aggressive towards the doll and the others didn’t. When they got the chance to play with the doll the group who observed aggressive behaviour towards the doll were aggressive than the other group who observe aggression. This shows that we learn via observational learning.
In another bandur’s experiment 1st group children observed model being rewarded for being aggressive towards the doll .2nd group of children observed model being punished for being aggressive towards the doll and 3rd group of children observed model with no subsequent consequences for their aggressive behaviour.
The Term Paper on Evolutionary Aggression Aggressive Inevitable Behaviour
DOES EVOLUTIONARY THEORY AND EVIDENCE SUGGEST THAT AGGRESSION IN HUMANS OTHER ANIMALS IS INEVITABLE Aggression, the intentional infliction of some form of harm to others (Baron and Byrne, 2000) has been a topic of concern to many psychologists and especially social psychologists. When combined with evolutionary psychology, the approach to understanding human behaviour that takes the basic premises ...
Bandura found that those who had seen the model rewarded showed high levels of aggressive act .those who saw model being punished showed low level of aggression and those who saw no reward or punishment were somewhere in between the two levels of aggression .this shows that we learn via vicarious learning .
2) How the behaviourist approach has been applied in the aversion therapy.
Behaviourist suggests that all behaviours can be learnt and unlearnt such as addiction behaviour. aversion therapy is linked to classical conditioning .this is where an environmental stimulus is associated with behavioural response. Aim of aversion therapy is to associate the undesirable behaviour with undesirable stimulus.
Indivuals are repeatedly given unpleasant stimulus such as drug or electric shock at the same time they engage with undesirable behaviour. Unconditional stimulus which produces unconditional response such as an avoidance. When the stimulus is repeated paired with undesirable behaviour. The behaviour was neutral stimulus and now a conditioned stimulus leads to the same consequence .smoking associating with pain as a result patient stopping undesirable behaviour.
Miller found that the aversion therapy didn’t have no effect on the patients .on the other hand smith et al found that the alcoholics treated with aversion therapy showed higher abstinence rates after one year
Smith also examined 300 smokers and 52% of those treated with aversion therapy maintained abstinence after one year.
Bancroft reported that the 50 % of the patients dropped out or refused treatment.
3a) evaluate two strengths of the behaviourist approach.
Behaviourist approach is scientific because they focus on observable behaviour which can be objectively measured via scientific methods. Its advantage is that you can compare the results to see if there’s any improvement for example when behaviourist approach is used for treating mental disorders. People want to see evidence if the treatment has been successful. E.g. 52% of those treated with aversion therapy maintained abstinence after one year.
The Term Paper on Understanding the Principles and Practices of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
This essay intends to examine some of the principles and practices of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy an approach to therapy that has become a staple of modern day therapy and reflective professional practice based on ‘actively constructing a collection, selection and interpretation of data’ (Finlay and Gough, 2003, p.5). This examination will begin with a critical evaluation of the key principles and ...
It has application to real life concept and can be used in practical ways. Aversion therapy gives brief description. Aversion therapy is associated with undesirable behaviour, such as smoking.
3b) evaluate two weaknesses of the behaviourist approach.
It ignores nature and any other biological factors. Behaviourist would not the anything into account which is caused genetically. It focuses on entirely on nurture and the environment.
Everything is caused by environmental determinism. It believes that our behaviour is controlled by the environment and wouldn’t believe anything is caused by free and ignores people’s ability to choose their behaviour .so people don’t take responsibility for their own actions.
