Psychodynamic Theories And Discusses Key Elements Of Classical And Operant Conditioning Essay

847 Words4 Pages
Behaviourist Theories

This essay examines behaviourist theories and discusses key elements of classical and operant conditioning. It considers a variety of psychological theorists and profoundly explores their research.
Behaviourism refers to a psychological approach which explains human development in terms of how they learn from experience rather than a result of inborn tendencies or higher order thinking. Learning from experience moulds and shapes behaviour and personality. (A2Healthandsocialcarepg84) The behaviourist movement began in 1913 when John Watson wrote the article 'Psychology as the behaviourist views it. ' Other psychologists such as, Pavlov, Thorndike and Skinner also worked to develop behavioural theories of learning. (A2Healthandsocialcarepg84) They focused their explanations solely on behaviour, concerning what people do rather than what may or may not be going on in their minds. Behaviourists suggest that all behaviour is learned either through classical or operant conditioning. (PsychologyASpg.50)
Thorndike’s research offered valuable insights into conditioning. He studied the way animals learn by observing their responses in controlled conditions. He noticed that animals would often learn by trial and error. For example, a hungry cat would experiment with ways of escaping from a cage to receive a reward of food. When the cat discovered actions that helped it escape, it would remember them. Thorndike believed any action that produced a good effect

More about Psychodynamic Theories And Discusses Key Elements Of Classical And Operant Conditioning Essay

Get Access