Behaviourist Approach: Classical And Operant Conditioning

Words: 511
Pages: 3
Open Document
Behaviourist approach emphasised the role of environmental stimuli to determine the way people act; focusing on learning, changes in behaviour that occur as the result of experience. Behaviourism considerably added to our understanding of learning through the study of what they called classical and operant conditioning (Glassman & Hadad, 2009).

In classical conditioning, behaviourists believed that, learning refers to involuntary responses that result from experiences that occur before a response; for example, a person who is afraid of heights may climb to the top of a building, and look down (environmental stimulus) may start to feel nausea and dizziness (response). Another example is Watson and Rayner’s study of little Albert, where a white fluffy rat has been associated loud noise, that made little Albert developed fear every time he saw a white rat. Eventually, little Albert associated fear to anything that is white and fluffy (McGinley et al, 2008). Whereas in operant conditioning, requires a reward or unpleasant consequence during the learning process to …show more content…
In real work, particularly in the treatment of mental disorder, behaviourist approach has had many successful applications. Davey (2010) metioned that, the work of Ivan Pavlov supported this theory in classical conditioning that it has been applied to aversion therapy in order to help those with addictions; for example, an alcoholic might be made to drink. It has also contributed to another therapy that was developed by Joseph Wolpe, which is systematic desensitisation; in order to help people who suffer from phobias. These theories developed by this approach have been used throughout the society for education purposes (programmed learning) such as shaping behaviour for autism and the use of token economy for intstitutionalised patients (Davey,
Show More

Related Documents: Behaviourist Approach: Classical And Operant Conditioning

Essay on Psycological perspectives

Firstly, I will be looking at the Behaviourist approach. I will focus on Classical and Operant Conditioning. This will show how it is suggested that we are shaped by our environment and that different kinds of reinforcement can influence how we behave. Secondly, I will be looking at the Biological approach. This approach suggests that our behaviour is a product of our genes and behaviour is often inherited. Finally, I will be explaining the Cognitive Approach. This approach stems from belief that before…

Words 1412 - Pages 6

Essay on Btec Unit 8,P1 Health and Social

behaviorist perspectives in health and social care. Behaviourist approach In Psychology learning is seen as a change in behaviour caused by an experience. Behaviorism, is seen as a learning theory; an attempt to explain how people or animals learn by studying their behaviour. The Behaviourists Approach has two theories to help explain how we learn, Classical conditioning and operant conditioning. In this task I will attempt to describe and evaluate this approach. Ivan Pavlov was a Russian Physiologist.…

Words 1248 - Pages 5

Behaviourist And Cognitive Development

Week 5: Growth and development across the lifespan 3 Behaviourist and Cognitive development models Objectives To examine key concepts and principles of normal growth and development, and the application to nursing practice in care of the person. To explain the principles associated with behaviourist principles To describe theories of cognitive development. Lifespan development Today, the focus is on understanding behaviourist and cognitive theories of development across the lifespan…

Words 904 - Pages 4

‘Behaviourists Explain Maladaptive Behaviour in Terms of the Learning Principles That Sustain and Maintain It. Discuss This Statement and Show How a Behaviourist’s Approach to Therapy Is in Stark Contrast to a Psychoanalytic.’ Essay examples

‘Behaviourists explain maladaptive behaviour in terms of the learning principles that sustain and maintain it. Discuss this statement and show how a behaviourist’s approach to therapy is in stark contrast to a psychoanalytic.’ Introduction In this essay I intend to compare and contrast the behaviourist perspective with a psychoanalytical approach to therapy, in relation to the above statement and will explore their fundamental principles and differences. Throughout the centuries…

Words 2491 - Pages 10

Synopsis: The Learning Theory Approach Essays

Stella Gilder A synopsis of The Learning Theory Approach Throughout history, Psychology as a science has evolved from the early teachings of Plato and Socrates who firmly believed that the mind and body were indeed separate entities. Founders of modern Psychology or Empiricists such as Francis Bacon (1561-1626), John Locke (1632-1704) and David Hume (1711-1776) defined the view that all knowledge comes via our sense and experiences and that infants are born in a blank states known as ‘Tabula…

Words 607 - Pages 3

Outline The Key Features Of Two Approaches To Psychology

features of two different approaches to Psychology and comment on their strengths and weaknesses. You may choose any two approaches from: Biological; Behaviourist; Cognitive; Psychodynamic; Humanistic. There are a number of different approaches to psychology, two of them being the behaviourist approach and the humanistic approach. Behaviourist approach was the primary paradigm in psychology between 1920s to 1950s. It was mainly concerned with the way we act due to our environmental circumstances. At…

Words 1649 - Pages 7

Essay about Developmental Psychology and Young People

gradually developed his own influential theory. Piaget suggested that children ‘constructed’ or ‘built’ their thoughts according to their experiences of the world around them, which is why his theory of learning is referred to as a “constructivist approach”. Piaget used the word ’schema’ to show the meaning of a child’s conclusions or thoughts and he felt that learning was an on-going process, where children need to adapt their original ideas if a new piece of information contradicted their conclusions…

Words 1987 - Pages 8

Behaviourist Approach to criminal behaviour Essay

The Behaviourist Approach to criminal behaviour Criminal Psychology is the application of psychological principles on criminal activity. Behaviourists believe that criminals act upon behavioural antics they have learnt over time, thus criticising Freud’s analysis. Their theories tend to follow a deterministic perspective meaning we lack control of our actions. They argue that the reasons behind criminal activity are the consequences of the behaviour being favourable and pleasurable. Classical conditioning’s…

Words 615 - Pages 3

Schools Of Thought

seminal lecture and the publication of his critical paper ‘Psychology as the Behaviourist Views It’. This was a purely objective experimental branch of natural sciences. John Watson was born in 1878 and grew up in the state of South Carolina, America. Watson believed that psychology should be the science of observable behaviour, with no regards to internal mental states. The basic principle of the behaviourist approach is that all behaviours are learnt through interaction with the environment around…

Words 4572 - Pages 19

Essay about Behaviorism and Stimulus Frederic Skinner

Behaviourist primarily concern with observable behaviour opposed to internal such as emotions and thoughts. They believe that people have no free will and that an individual’s environment can determines their behaviour. Behaviourists also believe in when born our mind is in a blank state (tabulsa rasa). Ivan Pavlo, Classical conditioning: Pavlo’s theory began when he noticed his dogs salivating whenever he entered the room, even when he was not bringing them food. He started to come up with the…

Words 633 - Pages 3