Behaviorist Perspective in Psychology
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the behaviourist perspective on the nature-nurture debate?

  • Nature and nurture interact dynamically, with each influencing the other in complex ways.
  • Behaviour is primarily determined by innate biological factors, with minimal environmental influence.
  • Behaviour is predominantly shaped by social and environmental factors, overshadowing innate or biological predispositions. (correct)
  • Both nature and nurture contribute equally and independently to behaviour, without any interaction.

According to the behaviourist perspective, how do humans develop behaviours?

  • Through innate cognitive structures and pre-programmed emotional responses.
  • Through passive learning via interactions with their environment, leading to conditioned responses. (correct)
  • Through observation and imitation of role models, acquiring social norms and expectations.
  • Through active exploration and hypothesis testing, shaping their understanding of the world.

What is the significance of the 'blank slate' assumption within the behaviourist approach?

  • Acknowledging the innate, pre-existing cognitive structures that shape how we interact with the world.
  • Highlighting the equal contribution of both genetic predispositions and environmental factors to behaviour.
  • Emphasizing the importance of studying internal mental processes to fully understand behaviour.
  • Suggesting that individuals are born without pre-programmed behaviours or knowledge, acquiring them through experience. (correct)

A child is consistently praised for cleaning their room. From a behaviorist perspective, what process is at play?

<p>Operant conditioning, reinforcing the behavior of cleaning with praise. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects environmental determinism, as understood within the behaviourist framework?

<p>Behaviour is entirely determined by environmental factors, leaving no room for individual agency or choice. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was John B. Watson's primary argument regarding the study of psychology?

<p>Psychology must focus on observable behaviour to maintain scientific rigor. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did behaviourism become a dominant approach in psychology during the first half of the 20th century?

<p>Its principles were readily applicable to various settings, such as education and corrections. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the behaviourist approach view internal mental states such as thoughts and emotions?

<p>As irrelevant and unmeasurable factors that should be excluded from scientific study. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company is deciding whether to invest in a new project. Which factor would most likely decrease the net present value (NPV) of the project?

<p>Increasing the initial investment required for the project. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the payback period and discounted payback period methods?

<p>The discounted payback period considers the time value of money, while the payback period does not. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A project has an initial cost of $100,000 and generates annual cash inflows of $30,000 for 5 years. What is the payback period for this project?

<p>3.33 years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and the Net Present Value (NPV) of a project?

<p>IRR is the discount rate that makes the NPV equal to zero. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of using the IRR method for project evaluation compared to the NPV method?

<p>IRR may provide multiple rates of return for non-conventional cash flows. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A project has an initial investment of $200,000 and is expected to generate the following cash flows: Year 1: $50,000, Year 2: $70,000, Year 3: $90,000, and Year 4: $60,000. Using a discount rate of 10%, calculate the approximate Net Present Value (NPV) of the project.

<p>$15,756 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company is evaluating two mutually exclusive projects. Project A has an NPV of $50,000 and an IRR of 15%, while Project B has an NPV of $60,000 and an IRR of 12%. If the company can only choose one project, which should they select?

<p>Project B, because it has a higher NPV. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for discounting future cash flows when evaluating investment projects?

<p>To account for the time value of money. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea behind environmental determinism, as it relates to the Behaviorist Approach?

<p>Behaviors are primarily shaped by learning and experiences within an individual's environment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does systematic desensitization (SD) exemplify the usefulness of the Behaviorist Approach?

<p>SD applies classical conditioning principles to help individuals overcome phobias through gradual exposure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of the Behaviorist Approach's focus on nurture?

<p>It overlooks the potential influence of genetic factors and biological predispositions on behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way is the Behaviorist Approach considered reductionist?

<p>It breaks down complex behaviors into simple stimulus-response mechanisms, potentially oversimplifying human behavior. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the nomothetic nature of the Behaviorist Approach pose a potential problem?

<p>It seeks to establish generalized principles of behavior that apply universally, potentially overlooking individual differences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of McGrath's (1990) survey regarding systematic desensitization?

<p>It showed that the majority of people with specific phobias experienced improvement with systematic desensitization. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the Behaviorist Approach, how might aggressive behavior be learned, as demonstrated by the Bobo doll experiment?

<p>Through direct or indirect positive reinforcement of aggressive actions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of overlooking interacting factors and complexities of human behavior, according to the Behaviorist Approach?

<p>The risk of losing genuine insights into human behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a behaviorist explain the development of a phobia through classical conditioning?

<p>As a learned association between a neutral stimulus and a fear-inducing event. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it a strength if we know what pre-determined a person’s phobia?

<p>Because, if we know what factors have pre-determined a person’s phobia it means we can aim to alter these factors in an attempt to change the behaviour. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Bandura's Bobo doll experiment, what is the primary mechanism through which children learn aggressive behavior?

<p>Observational learning by imitating rewarded aggressive behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the behaviourist approach, what is the primary factor shaping relationship formation?

<p>The surrounding environment (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what is the role of a neutral stimulus (NS) in acquiring a conditioned response?

<p>It becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) after being repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following principles of operant conditioning is most applicable to pet-owner relationships?

<p>Rewarding desired pet behaviors, which reinforces the owner's positive experience (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?

<p>Studying diligently to avoid failing an exam. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does classical conditioning explain the positive association between pets and their owners?

<p>The association of being in the company of a pet with feelings, such as happiness and relaxation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does punishment differ from negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?

<p>Punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus, while negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the behaviorist approach, what is a key similarity in how humans and animals learn?

<p>The underlying principles of conditioning, such as classical and operant conditioning, apply to both. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of classical conditioning and pet-owner relationships, what would be considered the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in creating a positive association?

<p>A positive feeling (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of reinforcement applied in token economy systems?

<p>Rewarding desirable behavior with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A therapist using systematic desensitization would likely agree with which of the following statements about phobias?

<p>Phobias are learned maladaptive responses to specific stimuli. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the application of classical conditioning principles?

<p>A student feels anxious before a test after repeatedly failing previous tests. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of systematic desensitization?

<p>A gradual exposure therapy that pairs relaxation techniques with increasing exposure to feared stimuli. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one key ethical consideration when using systematic desensitization to treat a phobia?

<p>Ensuring the client fully understands and consents to the exposure process. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of systematic desensitization as a behaviorist therapy?

<p>To replace fear with a new, incompatible response like relaxation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of positive reinforcement?

<p>Giving a dog a treat for successfully performing a trick. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A child develops a fear of dogs after being bitten. Which type of conditioning best explains this phobia?

<p>Classical conditioning (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of systematic desensitization, according to the behaviourist approach?

<p>To change maladaptive responses to stimuli through learning. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A student studies hard to avoid the disappointment of failing. What type of operant conditioning is this an example of?

<p>Negative Reinforcement (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Pavlov's experiments with dogs demonstrate classical conditioning?

<p>By associating the sound of a bell with the presentation of food, leading to salivation at the sound of the bell alone. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT typically included in the process of systematic desensitization?

<p>Dream analysis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of operant conditioning?

<p>Learning through the consequences of behavior. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A person is afraid of balloons. In systematic desensitization, which step would come first after relaxation training?

<p>Thinking about balloons. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the crucial element that distinguishes operant conditioning from classical conditioning?

<p>The role of consequences in shaping voluntary behaviors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A therapist is using systematic desensitization to help a client overcome a fear of heights. Which of the following scenarios BEST exemplifies in vivo exposure?

<p>The client actually stands on a low balcony while practicing relaxation techniques. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does Bandura's experiment challenge the strict 'blank slate' assumption of behaviorism?

<p>It demonstrates that cognitive processes play a role in learning through observation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST illustrates how operant conditioning can unintentionally maintain a phobia?

<p>A person avoids spiders, which reduces anxiety, reinforcing the avoidance behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might behaviorist principles explain the formation of a romantic relationship?

<p>Through positive reinforcement, where each partner provides rewards and avoids punishments in the relationship. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying assumption of systematic desensitization regarding the relationship between anxiety and relaxation?

<p>Anxiety and relaxation are mutually exclusive and cannot occur simultaneously. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A client undergoing systematic desensitization for a fear of flying reports feeling overwhelmed and wants to stop the therapy session. What is the MOST ETHICAL course of action for the therapist?

<p>To acknowledge the client's distress and immediately end the exposure, focusing on relaxation techniques. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the reappearance of symptoms in a different form after systematic desensitization (SD)?

<p>Symptom substitution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is systematic desensitization sometimes considered less effective for phobias like agoraphobia?

<p>Agoraphobia is a more general and complex phobia. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Seligman, why are humans more likely to fear snakes than cars, despite cars posing a greater modern threat?

<p>Fear of snakes is genetically programmed due to evolutionary threats. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key benefit of systematic desensitization regarding patient involvement?

<p>Involves minimal patient effort outside of sessions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the step-by-step approach of systematic desensitization considered more ethical than flooding?

<p>It prioritizes the client's comfort and relaxation at each stage. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is informed consent particularly relevant in systematic desensitization?

<p>Patients are typically of sound mind and can fully understand the therapy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential ethical concern regarding systematic desensitization, despite its generally positive ethical profile?

<p>It unavoidably exposes the client to a situation causing fear and anxiety. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn about the overall effectiveness and applicability of systematic desensitization?

<p>Its effectiveness is limited due to restricted application and failure to address the root cause. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the scientific nature of the behaviorist approach, as exemplified by Skinner's experiments, contribute to its strengths?

<p>Its use of the scientific method allows for objective measurement and replication. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the behaviorist approach, what does the concept of determinism imply about human behavior?

<p>Behavior is determined by factors outside of conscious control. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the behaviourist approach?

<p>Limited attention to social and cultural influences. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is evidence-based practice integrated into systematic desensitization?

<p>Therapists update their methods using current data and clinical trials. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does ongoing assessment play throughout systematic desensitization treatment?

<p>It helps in modifying the treatment to changing patient needs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of cultural differences on the application of systematic desensitization?

<p>Cultural beliefs can change how people react to exposure. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When evaluating systematic desensitization, what is the importance of considering long-term outcomes?

<p>Relapse rates and overall life adjustment should also be assessed. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In systematic desensitisation, what role does operant conditioning play in helping a client overcome their phobia?

<p>It reinforces the relaxed state achieved at each level of the hierarchy, making progress rewarding. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A client undergoing systematic desensitisation for a spider phobia initially struggles to relax while imagining a spider in the same room. Which of the following steps should the therapist take NEXT, according to the principles of the therapy?

<p>Move back to a less anxiety-provoking scenario on the hierarchy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best captures the concept of 'counterconditioning' in systematic desensitisation?

<p>It replaces the original fear response with a new, more relaxed response to the phobic stimulus. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Wolpe's theory, what is the mechanism by which relaxation inhibits anxiety during systematic desensitisation, and what term did he use to describe it?

<p>Reciprocal inhibition; a new stimulus-response link (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is evaluating the long-term effectiveness of systematic desensitisation for social anxiety. Which outcome would provide the STRONGEST evidence of its success?

<p>Clients maintain reduced anxiety levels and improved social functioning several months after completing therapy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies how classical conditioning principles are applied to countercondition a fear response to dogs using systematic desensitisation?

<p>Pairing the image of a dog (NS) with relaxation techniques (UCS) to elicit a calm response (UCR), eventually leading to the dog image (CS) eliciting a calm response (CR). (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between in vivo and in vitro desensitisation techniques in systematic desensitisation?

<p><em>In vivo</em> involves real-life exposure, while <em>in vitro</em> uses imagined scenarios. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A therapist incorporates modelling into systematic desensitisation. How does this modification likely influence the client's learning process?

<p>It allows the client to observe a coping model successfully interacting with the feared stimulus, promoting vicarious learning. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When is systematic desensitisation considered 'complete'?

<p>When the client reaches the top of their anxiety hierarchy and associates the stimulus with a calm response. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential criticism of behaviourist therapies like systematic desensitisation, regarding the treatment of psychological disorders?

<p>They may only address the symptoms of the disorder without resolving the underlying cause. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a client is unable to create a hierarchy of fears, what part of systematic desensitization will be most affected?

<p>The client will not be able to gradually approach the feared stimulus. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does systematic desensitisation highlight the reciprocal relationship between emotional and physiological responses to phobias?

<p>By demonstrating that relaxation techniques can reduce both subjective feelings of fear and physiological signs of anxiety. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Capafons et al. (1998) found that systematic desensitisation reduced fear of flying. How could researchers determine if these positive effects were due to the specific techniques of SD, rather than a placebo effect?

<p>By comparing the SD group to a control group receiving a different treatment or no treatment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ethical consideration is MOST relevant when applying systematic desensitisation to treat a client's phobia?

<p>Obtaining informed consent from the client, ensuring they understand the procedures and can withdraw at any time. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A client reports feeling overwhelmed and more anxious after a systematic desensitisation session. Assuming the therapist followed protocol, what is the MOST likely explanation, and what adjustment should be made?

<p>The client was advanced through the hierarchy too quickly; return to a previous, less anxiety-provoking step. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Blank Slate Assumption

The idea that the mind is a 'tabula rasa' at birth, meaning behavior is shaped by environmental experiences, not innate factors.

Behavior is Learned

The belief that behaviors are acquired through interactions with the environment, emphasizing learning and conditioning processes.

Cross-Species Learning

Assuming principles of learning (like conditioning) are universal across species, allowing animal studies to inform human behavior.

Observable Behavior

Observable actions are the only appropriate subject matter for scientific study in psychology.

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Environmental Determinism

The view that environmental factors overwhelmingly determine behavior, minimizing the role of free will or internal choice.

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Nurture definition

Social and environmental factors that have a dominant effect over our behaviour over ruling any innate or biological factors such as genes, hormones, evolution.

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Nurture side of nature-nurture

Emphasizes the role of environmental influences on behavior rather than innate or biological factors.

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John Watson's Key Idea

John Watson proposed that the only way to measure human behaviour scientifically is to study behaviour which is observable.

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Observational Learning

Learning by observing a model being rewarded or punished for their behavior, leading to imitation or avoidance.

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Classical Conditioning

Learning through associations between stimuli and responses.

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Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response.

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Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The natural, unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus.

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Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the UCS, triggers a conditioned response.

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Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus.

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Operant Conditioning

Learning through the consequences of behavior (reinforcement and punishment).

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Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

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Positive Reinforcement

Providing a reward to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

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Negative Reinforcement

Removing something unpleasant to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

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Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

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Token Economy System

Rewarding desired behaviors with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges.

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Systematic Desensitisation

A type of therapy that associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli; commonly used to treat phobias.

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Blank Slate

The assumption that behaviour is learnt through interactions with the environment.

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Humans and animals learn similarly

Animals learn by conditioning, principles are the same for humans and animals.

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Altering Factors to Change Behavior

Changing environmental factors to alter behavior.

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Usefulness of Behaviorist Approach

Successfully applied in therapy, like systematic desensitization.

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Nurture Focus (Weakness)

Focuses solely on the role of nurture, ignoring nature.

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Reductionist Approach

Reduces complex human behavior to simple stimulus-response.

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Nomothetic Approach

Studies groups to generalize behaviors, ignoring individual differences.

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Aversion therapy

Therapy using classical conditioning to treat addictions.

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Role of Genes in Aggression

Genes play role in aggression & brain function e.g pre-frontal cortex.

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Generalization of Animal Studies

General conclusions from groups or animals applied to wider population

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Behaviorist Assumption on Relationships

Behavior is shaped by the environment; our surroundings are the most important factor in relationship formation.

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Operant Conditioning in Pet-Owner Relationships

Rewarding good behavior in a pet reinforces positive experiences for the owner, strengthening the pet-owner bond.

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Classical Conditioning in Pet-Owner Relationships

Owning a pet can bring happy feelings like joy and relaxation that become associated with the pet.

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UCS

Unconditioned Stimulus

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UCR

Unconditioned Response

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NS

Neutral Stimulus

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CS

Conditioned Stimulus

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CR

Conditioned Response

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Globophobia

Fear of balloons

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Mysophobia

Fear of germs

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Nyctophobia

Fear of the dark

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Ophidiophobia

Fear of snakes

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Associative Learning

Learning through associations, as seen in classical conditioning.

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Behavioral Cause of Abnormality

Faulty learning is the root cause of abnormal behavior.

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Phobia Development

Phobias are learned through classical conditioning and maintained through reinforcement like avoidance.

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Systematic Desensitization (SD)

Re-learn a functional response to a stimulus.

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Counterconditioning

Replacing a negative association with a positive one.

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Desensitization Hierarchy

A list of anxiety-provoking situations from least to most feared.

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In Vitro Desensitization

Client relaxes while imagining increasingly fearful scenarios.

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In Vivo Desensitization

Client directly confronts the feared object/situation

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Modelling (in therapy)

Watching someone cope well with a feared stimulus.

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Reciprocal Inhibition

Process where relaxation prevents anxiety.

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Counterconditioning Outcome

Associating a calm and relaxed response with a previously feared stimulus.

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SD Effectiveness

SD is effective at reducing fear and anxiety.

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SD Side Effects

Non-invasive therapy with no severe physical side effects.

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Cause vs. Symptom (SD)

Behavioral therapies may only address the symptoms, not the underlying cause.

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Symptom Substitution

Symptoms reappear in a different form after treatment.

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Agoraphobia

Fear of open or crowded spaces.

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Ancient Fears

Phobias potentially rooted in evolutionary threats (e.g., snakes, heights).

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Low Patient Involvement (SD)

Systematic Desensitization requires limited patient commitment outside sessions.

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Informed Consent (in SD)

Client gives full consent for participation; free to withdraw at any time.

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Anxiety Controlled (in SD)

The gradual exposure in SD minimizes anxiety/harm.

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Flooding

A method involves exposing the client rapidly to their feared object

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Overall SD Evaluation

SD is effective, ethically sound, but limited in application.

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Scientific Approach (Behaviorism)

Objective measurement of observable behaviours.

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Operationalised (In Science)

Breaking down of behaviour into measurable components for study

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Quantitative Data

Data that is numerical, can be statistically analysed.

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Independent Variable (IV)

Manipulated variable

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Dependent Variable (DV)

Measured variable.

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Confounding Variables (CV)

Extra variable

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Determinism (Behaviorism)

Behaviour is determined by external environmental factors, not free will.

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What is a Neutral Stimulus?

A previously neutral stimulus that becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

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What is Extinction (in conditioning)?

The process of gradually diminishing a conditioned response by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus.

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What is Spontaneous Recovery?

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction.

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What is Stimulus Generalization?

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

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What is Stimulus Discrimination?

Learning to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.

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What is Higher-Order Conditioning?

Process of using a conditioned stimulus to condition a neutral stimulus.

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What is positive punishment?

Adding something to decrease behavior.

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What is negative reinforcement?

Removing something to increase the likelihood of behavior.

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Study Notes

  • In the early 20th century, John B. Watson advocated for measuring observable behavior to maintain psychology's scientific status.
  • Behaviorism became the dominant psychological approach for the first half of the 20th century, with principles still relevant in society today.

Assumptions of the Behaviorist Approach

  • Humans are born as a blank slate, without innate thoughts or emotions influencing behavior.
  • Behavior is learned through interactions with the environment, making responses passive.
  • Environmental determinism suggests behavior is determined by the environment.
  • Children can learn and imitate aggressive behavior by observing a rewarded role model, highlighting that aggression is not innate but learned through experience.

Classical Conditioning

  • Classical conditioning involves learning new behaviors through associations.
  • Pavlov's research demonstrated classical conditioning with dogs, who learned to associate the sound of a bell with food.
  • UCS (Unconditioned Stimulus) leads to UCR (Unconditioned Response).
  • UCS + NS (Neutral Stimulus) leads to UCR.
  • CS (Conditioned Stimulus) leads to CR (Conditioned Response).
  • Salivating at the sound of a bell is an acquired behavior through classical conditioning, and not naturally occurring in dogs.

Operant Conditioning

  • Operant conditioning involves learning through reinforcement and punishment.
  • Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again, can be positive or negative.
  • Positive reinforcement rewards good behavior to increase the likelihood of it being repeated.
  • Negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior by avoiding something unpleasant.
  • Punishment weakens behavior and decreases the chance of it happening again, opposite of reinforcement.
  • Skinner demonstrated that animals can learn a behavior if positively rewarded with food, and lever-pressing is not a natural behavior in rats but is acquired through operant conditioning.
  • Humans and animals learn in similar ways, and principles from animal learning can be applied to human therapies and behavior modification.
  • Pavlov's work with dogs established classical conditioning, which forms the basis for therapies like systematic desensitization for phobias.
  • Patients learn to associate a calm response with a phobic object through systematic desensitization.
  • Operant conditioning, developed from animal research, is applied in token economy systems in schools and prisons to reinforce desirable behavior with tokens.
  • Principles of learning established from animals can be applied in therapeutic/modification systems for humans

Application to Relationship Formation

  • The behaviorist approach explains relationship formation through environmental factors and conditioning.
  • All behavior is shaped by the environment.

Operant Conditioning in Pet-Owner Relationships

  • Rewarding an animal for good behavior during training enhances the positive experience for the pet-owner.
  • Positive reinforcement for the owner increases the desire to spend more time with the pet and continue training.

Classical Conditioning in Pet-Owner Relationships

  • Owning a pet can bring happy feelings.
  • Being in the company of a pet can be associated with feeling happy, relaxed, and content.
  • Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression and have lower blood pressure than non-pet owners.
  • Classical conditioning involves associating a pet with relaxation and positive feelings.

Therapy: Systematic Desensitization

  • Aims to apply the assumptions to therapy.
  • The therapy includes main components.
  • Involves evaluation of the therapy in terms of effectiveness.
  • Also includes evaluation of the therapy in terms of ethical considerations.

Application of Assumptions in Systematic Desensitization:

Normal Behavior

  • Is rooted in learning through associations (classical conditioning) or reinforcement (operant conditioning).

Abnormal Behavior

  • Happens as a result of faulty learning.
  • A person associates fear with a stimulus, reinforced by avoiding the trigger.

Therapy Aim

  • To help the person relearn a more functional response to the stimulus.

Therapy Procedure

  • Gradually breaks down the faulty association, replacing fear with relaxation (counter conditioning).
  • The client progress through a hierarchy of least to most feared scenario, creating a reward feeling (operant conditioning).
  • Eventually they associate relaxation with the phobic object.

Main Components of Systematic Desensitization

  • Begins with teaching the client relaxation techniques.
  • Aims to establish a new stimulus-response link, changing the association with the stimulus from fear to relaxation.
  • Over time, the client responds with relaxation instead of fear in the presence of the feared object.
  • Known as counterconditioning because it teaches the dient a new association which runs in place of the original negative association.
  • The client constructs a desensitization hierarchy, from least to most feared scenarios which is slightly more anxiety provoking than the one previously.
  • In vivo desensitization involves confronting the feared object/situation directly, while in vitro desensitization involves imagining it.
  • Modelling is also incorporated, where the client watches someone else who is coping well with the feared stimulus.
  • Systematic desensitization is complete when the principles of classical conditioning have been successfully applied.
  • The client no longer associates fear with the stimulus.
  • The client has been counter-conditioned to associate a calm and relaxed response.

Evaluation of Systematic Desensitization

Effectiveness

  • Capafons et al. (1998) showed participants with a fear of flying had fewer physiological signs of fear and reported lower fear levels in a flight simulator after treatment.

Side Effects

  • Systematic desensitization is non-invasive with none of the physical side effects from drugs/psychosurgery.

Cause or Symptom

  • Behavioral therapies may remove symptoms without treating the root cause, potentially leading to symptom substitution.

Appropriateness

  • It has been noted that SD works better for some phobias than others.
  • SD works is less effective when their are more general phobias such as agoraphobia.
  • SD is not effective with phobias classed as ‘ancient fears such as snakes and heights, instead of modern day objects such as cars.

Patient Involvement

  • It is noted that SD requires low patient involvement as patients work with the therapist during the sessions and does not require homework like other therapies

Ethical issues

  • Anxiety is controlled due the step-by-step nature of SD making it considered much more ethical than other methods.
  • Informed consent - SD is used to treat phobias where people are of a healthy mind and able to take part.
  • Clients take part due to their own free will and therefore clients have the right to wihdraw.
  • The therapy however exposes the client to a situation which causes them fear and anxiety.

Evaluation of the Behaviorist Approach

Scientific

  • Studies behavior which is observable and measurable.
  • Scientific methods such as experiments allow behavior to be operationalised.
  • This produces quantitative data which can be analysed and compared.
  • Skinner found when rats where provided with food this would result in more lever pressing
  • It is an objective way to measure conditioned responses with controlled conditions which can be replicated.
  • Cause-effect relationships can be isolated meaning we can draw clear conclusions about positive reinforcement on behavior

Determinism

  • Human behaviour is determined and shaped by factors from out environment.
  • People do not consciously choose to have a phobia, phobias occur as a result of learning in their environment where they have been exposed to a sitatuion/object at the same time as something else that naturally lads to fear (unconditioned response).
  • If we know what factors have pre-determined a persons phobias, then we can aim to alter these factors in attempt to change behavior

Usefulness

  • Has been successfully implied in the real wordd.
  • Its principles have formed the basis for systematic desensitisation which has successfully treated phobias and aversion therapy to treat addictions such as alcohol.
  • McGrath (1990) found 75% of people with specific phobias improved with SD.
  • Provides people with the opportunity to tackle their phobias/abnormal behaviour using methods they can transfer to everyday life

Weaknesses of the Behaviorist Approach

Focus on Nurture

  • It only focuses on Nurture side of the debate and assumes that all behaviour is learned.
  • Children who witness the role model being rewarded for the aggressive behaviour were more likely to imitate the behavior.
  • It ignores the nature side of that, genes can be attributed to aggression and shape the functioning of different areas of the bran.

Reductionist

  • Behaviorist Approach is reducing complex human behaviour.
  • By ignoring the interacting factors and the complexities of human behaviour we are at risk of losing a real understanding of human behaviour.
  • There is evidence to suggest that phobias could symbolise unconscious anxieties, it ignores the real issue, reducting the effectiveness of treatment.

Nomothetic

  • It studies groups of people/animals in order to find patterns of behaviours which can then be generalised to people more widely.
  • Studies on rats have shown that they will increase liver pressing behaviour when positively reinforced by food pellets.
  • This ignores individual differences and assumes that everyone responds in the same way.

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Explore the behaviorist perspective, focusing on its stance in the nature-nurture debate and how behaviors are developed through environmental interactions. Understand the significance of the 'blank slate' assumption and the role of environmental determinism. Discover Watson's arguments and the historical dominance of behaviorism.

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