Transcript To what extent are explanations of dysfunctional behaviour

DYSFUNCTIONAL
BEHAVIOUR
a.
b.
c.
G543
Diagnosis, Definition, Bias
Explanations
Treatments
HEALTH & CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
2. Explanations of Dysfunctional Behaviour
a.
b.
c.
Biological: Gottesman
Behavioural: Watson & Rayner
Cognitive: Beck
EXAM STYLE QUESTIONS (ESQ)
Explanations
BIOLOGICAL
January 2011
a. Outline a biological explanation of dysfunctional behaviour [10]
b. To what extent are explanations of dysfunctional behaviour reductionist? [15]
BEHAVIOURAL
a. Outline a behavioural explanation of dysfunctional behaviour [10]
b. Discuss strengths and limitations of different explanations of dysfunctional behaviour [15]
COGNTIVE
June 2011
How might cognitive psychologists explain dysfunctional behaviour? [10]
Assess the appropriateness of different explanations of dysfunctional behaviour [15]
January 2013
Outline a cognitive explanation of dysfunctional behaviour [10]
Compare explanations of dysfunctional behaviour [15]
Recapping Watson and Rayner
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We’ve already covered Watson and Rayner for
Disorders, so we are just going to recap the study
now.
Quiz – write your answers and then we’ll swap.
RECAP: QUIZ
1
The study was conducted in which year?
2
The neutral stimulus was...?
3
The conditioned response was..?
4
The unconditioned stimulus was..?
5
In the pre conditioning trails Albert showed a fear response to:
6
After the study Albert was afraid of (give 2 examples)
7
In the post conditioning tests, after which trial did Albert seem ‘suspicious of the
rat’?
8
The process of a fear being transferred to other similar objects is called…
9
Watson & Rayner concluded that it is possible to produce a fear response
(phobia) in a human using the process of…
10
Which side of which debate does this support?
2b. Summary Information: BEHAVIOURAL
WATSON & RAYNER, 1920
Aim
To see if a conditioned fear response could be
created in a previously normal child by using classical
conditioning. Would the fear transfer to other objects
and what would happen over time? Could the fear
later be removed?
Background
Watson & Rayner wanted to find out how simple
emotional responses in childhood such as fear, rage,
and love became the more complete adult range of
behaviours and believed that classical conditioning
had role to play.
Sample
A nine-month-old child, Albert, who has was the son of
a wet-nurse employed at the hospital where Watson
worked. He was described as ‘stolid’ which means
calm and unemotional.
2b. Summary Information: BEHAVIOURAL
WATSON & RAYNER, 1920
Method
A controlled experiment conducted as a case study.
Procedure
First fear response was discovered in Albert which was the
sound of a mental bar being struck close to the child. Then
this feared sound was paired with the presentation of a
white rate which the child had previously played happily
with. This process was repeated over approximately six
weeks with variations.
Results &
Conclusion
Within the first week, Albert showed fear towards the rate
and this got worse over seven session so that just the rat with
no noise produced a strong response. The fear then
transferred to a rabbit, a dog, a seal-fur coat, some cotton
wool, Watson’s hair and a Santa Claus mask to varying
degrees. Building blocks were used as a neutral stimulus and
they had the effect of calming Albert between the stressful
presentations. He was removed from the hospital before
they could test whether they could remove the fear.
RECAPPING ASUMMPTIONS
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How do you think the behaviourists would explain
dysfunctional behaviour?
In pairs, summarise how, in general, behaviourists
would explain dysfunctional behaviour.
Behaviourist
explanation
of
dysfunctional
behaviour:
Activity
Group A: how might classical
conditioning explain dysfunction?
Group B: how might operant
conditioning explain dysfunction?
Activity:
Comprehension and Consolidation
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Complete the comprehension Qs to consolidate your
knowledge.
Extension: Which approach do you find the most
convincing and why?
3b. Evaluation Questions: BEHAVIOURAL
Identify strengths and weakness of the behavioural explanation
for Dysfunctional Behaviour
Is the little Albert study by Watson & Rayner ethical? Explain your
answer
Based on the behavioural approach can we explain behaviour as
dependent on the situation or the individual?
How can understanding the cause of dysfunctional behaviour be
useful?
Is there any other support for this approach?
Is there an alternative way to explain dysfunctional behaviour?
3b. Debate Questions: BEHAVIOURAL
Does this research show the influence of nature
or nurture?
Is phobia related to individual factors or
situational factors?
Could systematic desensitization offer a cure
for phobias?
Activity:
EVALUATION OF THE BEHAVIOURAL
EXPLANATION OF DYSFUNCTION
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In pairs, I’d like you to write a letter, newspaper article or a
speech.
You will need to read this out in the class so make it sensible!
You should write to the Behaviourist Association (?!) to voice
some concerns you have with the approach to dysfunction.
You should try to be diplomatic and balanced, so put in some
positives too.
PLENARY
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READ YOUR SPEECH OUT PLEASE
Homework:
RESEARCH THE COGNITIVE EXPLANATION
FOR DYSFUNCTION, INCLUDING BECK’S
THEORY AND STUDY (1961).
 As usual, please put into your own words and
bring to the lesson.
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