Behaviourist Explanation
The behavioural model argues that all behaviour is learnt through experience. All behaviour is learnt through the
processes of Classical and/or Operant Conditioning, or through modelling and the Social Learning Theory
1. Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)= Association
Based on his research on dogs, Pavlov argued that through the power of association all behaviour, including abnormal behaviour, is learnt. This theory is
supported by research by Watson and Rayner (1920). They found that on their research on ‘Little Albert’ that he associated a rat with a loud clanging noise
and as a result became scared of rats and anything physically similar to rats such as cotton wool. They referred to this as classical conditioning.
2. Operant Conditioning (Skinner)= Reinforcement/Punishment
Skinner, not satisfied with Pavlov’s theory of association, argued that future behaviour can be learnt via the outcome of our behaviour- whether we get are
rewarded or punished for our behaviour. He argued if we are rewarded for our behaviour, this increases the likelihood of us repeating our behaviour,
whereas if we are punished for our behaviour this reduces the chances of us as human beings repeating such behaviour/s. He based his theory on his
Laboratory experiment on rats and found that rats would continue to press a lever if they were rewarded for food.
3. Social Learning Theory (Bandura) = Modelling (Vicarious Reinforcement)
Bandura argued that not all behaviour is directly learnt. Some behaviour can be learnt indirectly (thorough observation). He suggested we observed human
behaviour, and if their behaviour was reinforced we modelled/copied it. Unlike the two theories above he argued that as intelligent human beings cognitive
factors also influence our learning. He suggested that we observe, then we interpret behaviour, and then if we feel their behaviour is rewarded and feel
there is a likelihood we too may be rewarded, we copy/model such behaviour/s. He based his theory on his famous Bobo Doll experiment by Bandura, Ross
and Ross (1961) in which children watched an adult hitting a bobo doll aggressively with a hammer. The children were then allowed in the same room with
a Bobo doll and a hammer- those children who viewed the adults hitting the bobo doll aggressively were rated more aggressive compared to the children
who saw the adult behaving non-aggressively to the bobo doll.
Psychodynamic Explanation
The Psychodynamic model argues that all behaviour, including our personality, is understood through internal/mental
processes which are often unconscious (part of our mind we are not aware of). These mental processes, so he argues, are
shaped by our early childhood experiences and instincts we are born with. Freud (1909) based his research on his case
study of ‘Little Hans’.
1. Internal Processes
Freud (1856-1938)
Behaviour is a result of a compromise of the three parts of our personality.
The ID is selfish and is made of our biological drives (the drive for sex, aggression, food
and water).
The Superego is our morals and uses guilty and anxiety to prevent us from giving in to
the ID.
The Ego Between them tries to create a balance between the two. It uses certain
methods to do this which are called ‘Defence Mechanisms’ (defending us as if balance is
not restored this is where abnormal behaviours occur i.e phobias, depression). For
example, with Repression we repress/push upsetting thoughts into our unconscious
where we are no long aware of them. Or, with Displacement we redirect our original
impulse into something more acceptable (i.e annoyed with your mother so you hit a
wall).
2. Childhood experiences
The exact
way inapproach
which our
dealshuman
with the
Id and Superego is determined during
(Good and bad things about an approach that make
it a useful
toEgo
explain
behaviour)
childhood as the child goes through Psychosexual Stages of Development. Problems at
any stage of the development can result in the child becoming Fixated (stuck at that
stage) which as a result will effect their adult personality. You can see the stages at Pg
23 of your books.
Cognitive Explanation
Dissatisfaction of the behaviourist approaches led to this theory in the late 1950’s. They argued behaviour was explained
by our mind. The Cognitive model looks at cognitive factors such as thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs on behaviour.
There is no single theory in this approach but the common factor is on mental processes. The mind is compared to a
computer.
INPUT
Attribution Theory
OUTPUT
PERCIEVE, INTERPRET,
CREATE MENTAL
REPRESENTATIONS.
Atrribution’s are ways in which we explain our own and other peoples behaviour (i.e reasons for behaviours). We usually explain behaviour by saying it was
something inside ourselves (internal attribution) or something beyond our control (external attribution). For example, doing well in a test/doing badly...
Covariation Theory (Kelley, 1967)
Behaviour due to internal/dispositional causes (some aspect of the individual causing behaviour), external/situational causes (some aspect of the physical
environment) or a combination of the two. It is a rational process where we look at three types of information Consensus (do the people around us share
the same reaction to the same stimulis), Consistency (is our reaction consistent on other occasions to the same stimulus) and Distinctiveness (the person
reacts the same way to other stimuli). Example on p.g 7 of workbook.
Self Serving Bias (Miller and Ross 1975)
Miller and Ross argue in fact that people attribute success to internal/dispositional factors and failure to external/situational factors. Two explanations to
explain this bias. Greenberg et al (1982) argued it protects our self esteem (i.e self serving). Another explanation for the self serving bias is in
cognitive/information processing terms- people expect to succeed in task, which we attribute internally. Whereas with unexpected outcomes we attribute
externally.