‘Skinner’s box’ supports this theory, a pigeon was placed in a box and a command appeared. When the pigeon accidently followed the command, a reward (such as food) was given. Every time he did the command to match the word, he got some food and eventually the pigeon did it more often. The positive reinforcement made the command more likely.
Pavlov’s theory is that we learn by association, it’s also called classical conditioning (CC). CC states that we can take an uncontrolled stimulus (UCS), which results in an uncontrolled response (UCR), and by pairing the UCS with a controlled stimulus (CS), the subject learns to associate the CS with the now controlled response (CR).
Two studies supported this theory; one of them was ‘Pavlov’s dogs’. In this study, a dog was conditioned to associate food with the ringing of a bell. The food, an UCS, resulted in the dog salivating, an UCR. The food was then paired with a bell, a CS, which also resulted in the dog salivating, an UCR. Eventually the bell, a CS, resulted in the dog salivating, now a CR. The dog had learnt to associate the bell with salivating.
The second study was done by Watson and Rayner and was called ‘Little Albert’. In the study a small child was conditioned to associate a rat with fear, the rat (CS) was paired with a loud clanging noise (UCS) and resulted in fear (UCR). Eventually the rat (CS) became feared (CR), ‘Albert’ had learnt to associate the rat with fear.
Data found in studies within the behaviourist approach is scientific; it is repeatable and provides strong evidence towards a theory. The data produced is also objective, as it doesn’t study what can’t be measured (thoughts and feelings).
The behaviourist approach theories may be applied in different situations. Operant conditioning, for example, is used in schools to condition behaviour by reinforcing behaviour, or giving punishments such as detention. OC is also used in ‘Super nanny’, which also teaches children correct behaviour using positive reinforcement and negative punishment. CC may be applied in treatment such as phobia therapy and aversion therapy. In aversion therapy the unwanted stimulus, such as smoking, is paired with a negative experience. The aim is for the patient to associate the unwanted stimulus with discomfort so the desire to, for example smoke, is less.
However some of the studies in the behaviourist approach are unethical. The ‘Little Albert’ study was carried out on a small child, whose mother gave permission. The child wasn’t able to express his opinion and he also left with a phobia, which may have negatively affected his life. The animals used in studies such as ‘Skinner’s box’ and ‘the cat in the puzzle box’ were confined in small spaces and maybe distressed. They weren’t protected from harm, which is unethical.
Studies carried out in the behaviourist approach were either on animals or a child. Although the studies provided evidence for the theories, the behaviour of animals may not apply to that of humans, and the results of a study on a child won’t be necessarily be the same as they would be if carried out on adults. We can’t generalise from animals to humans, or children to adults.
The behaviourist approach fails to take into account thoughts and feelings, and therefore ignores cognitive approaches. It also fails to take into account the effect of genetics and instead states that behaviour is learnt from our environment. This doesn’t explain how people can learn from the experiences of others, or explain spontaneous behaviour. The behaviourist approach contrasts with the humanistic approach as it believes that behaviour is determined by our environment, not the humanistic view of free will.
by
jesssykes (student)
