2. Introduction to Perspectives in Psychology

Focus

Behaviour is a product of our experiences and our environment

Key Concepts

Focus on observable behaviour.

Baby is a 'Blank Slate'.

Experiences shape behaviour.

Behaviour is predictable. 

Control behaviour by controlling environment.

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) - was a Russian physiologist who was trying to study the effects of salivation on digestion in dogs.  He inadvertently discovered something else – that the dogs would salivate even without food present – just the sight of the experimenter would cause the dog to salivate!  Pavlov began to study this phenomenon and called it “classical conditioning”.

John Watson (1878-1958) -used conditioning to teach a baby fear. 

Another important behaviourist was B.F. Skinner.  He built on the ideas of early behaviourists, and conducted experiments on rats in an attempt to understand how ones behaviour can be modified.  By offering rewards such as food to rats, he showed he could condition, or change their behaviour. His ideas of behaviour modification and conditioning are used by parents and in education today.