The Behavioural Approach to Psychopathology

OUTLINE OF APPROACH

• Only Behaviour is Important
• Behavioural model concentrates on behaviours 
• Behaviours can be internal or external. External events are focused on by behaviourists.
• Abnormal Behaviours are learned through Conditioning or Social Learning
• Behaviours are all learned by external events; abnormal and normal behaviour do not differ in the way they are learned. 
• Learning theory explains disorders where the major characteristics are behaviour.
• Arachnophobia involves avoidance and feelings of anxiety when in the presence of a spider.
• Learning Environment
• Learning environments can reinforce problematic behaviours; avoidant behaviour lowers anxiety, depressive behaviour may elicit help from others. 
• Children create a model in which they judge behaviour by; e.g. drug taking by judging that they will be rewarded by peers. 

METHODS OF INVESTIGATING THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH

• Experiments
• experiments are the most effective way because…