Behaviourist approach

Behaviourist approach

• Behaviourism sees behaviour as being learned through experience via interaction with the environment
• It is only interested in studying behaviour that can be measured and observed
• Behaviourists suggest that the basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species

Assumptions

• It assumes that all behaviour is learned
• What has been learned can be unlearned
• Abnormal behaviour is learned in the same way as normal behaviour

Classical conditioning (learning through association)

• When a response produced naturally by a certain stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus that is not normally associated with that particular response
• CC= Pavlov, conditioned dogs to salivate to the sound of a bell
  • Before learning- food(UCS) produces salivation
  • During learning- food(UCS) + a bell(NS) produces salivation (UCR)
  • After learning- a bell(CS) produces salivation (CR)

Operant conditioning (learning through consequence)

• Skinner suggested that learning is an active process and humans and animals operate on their…