Behaviourism

1. Behaviourism Look at the statement and decide whether it is correct or not.

2. False • The inventor of classical conditioning was Pavlov. • Pavlov first described it, but it always existed as a process

3. True • Behaviourists tend to use a scientific approach. • They look at observable phenomena and this is scientific.

4. False • Learning is what takes place in school • It may or may not take place in school. It certainly takes place in other environments as well. Psychologists are not fully agreed on what it is and how it works.

5. False • Aggression takes place as a result of observing it on television • Not everyone who watches violence on television later goes on to display violent behaviour.

6. True • Systematic desensitisation can be used to treat phobia. • It works through associating calm feelings with the object of fear.

7. True • B F Skinner first trained as as a writer of fiction and journalism • He became a psychologist as a post graduate, but invented the Skinner box whilst still a student.

8. True • Social learning theory suggests that learning takes place through observation • The theory argues that people imitate a model and may act as the model does.

9. False • Social learning theory argues you can learn without being aware. • Bandura insists that attention is a significant part of the learning process.

10. True • Operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviour. • It differs from classical conditioning which involves a reflex action such as salivation.

11. True • Operant conditioning can be more effective if there is not always positive reinforcement • But the subject can sometimes display higher levels of anxiety.