Behaviourist Approach

• Behaviour is learnt through the environment via stimulus-response links
• All behaviour must be observable and should be studied in an objective way (no emotions)
• Animals can be used to study psychological principles such as classical and operant conditioning e.g. Pavlov's dogs and Skinner's rats. These results can be generalised through the theory of evolution
• Behaviours can be shaped through operant conditioning through consequences (positive and negative reinforcement and punishment) and classical conditioning (association)

Skinner - Skinner's Box

• Rats were placed into the Skinner box that released a food pellet after a lever was pressed by the rat (positive reinforcement)
• The rats learned to press the lever showing operant conditioning
• The box was an adapted and an electrical current was passed through a grid below the rat which could only be stopped by pressing the lever (negative reinforcement).
• The rat learned to press the lever showing operant conditioning.