Evaluate the behaviourist approach.

Question 9 Mark Scheme

Evaluate the behaviourist approach.

In your answer, refer to the scientific investigation of observable behaviour and the limitations of explaining behaviour through conditioning.

[16 marks]

What is expected in the answer?

The command word “evaluate” requires students to make a reasoned judgement about the strengths and limitations of the behaviourist approach. For 16 marks, students need enough AO1 to establish the assumptions of behaviourism, including classical and operant conditioning, but the majority of the response should be evaluative.

The two issues identified in the question must be addressed directly:

• why investigating observable behaviour can make behaviourism scientific;

• why explaining behaviour primarily through conditioning may be limited.

The current specification requires the behaviourist approach, classical conditioning and Pavlov’s research, operant conditioning, types of reinforcement and Skinner’s research.  The course plan specifically identifies scientific investigation of observable behaviour and the limitations of conditioning as the focus of evaluating the behaviourist approach.

Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10

As this is an original 16-mark question without application, an appropriate allocation is AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10.

Level	Marks	Description
4	13–16	Knowledge of the behaviourist approach is accurate and generally well detailed. Evaluation is thorough and effective. The scientific investigation of observable behaviour and limitations of conditioning are explicitly and effectively addressed. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology.
3	9–12	Knowledge of the behaviourist approach is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. Evaluation is mostly effective and both issues identified in the question are considered, although some arguments may lack development.
2	5–8	Limited knowledge of the behaviourist approach is present. The response is mainly descriptive. Evaluation is only partly effective and one of the named issues may be poorly developed.
1	1–4	Knowledge is very limited or muddled. Evaluation is limited, poorly focused or absent. There may be substantial confusion about conditioning or the scientific basis of behaviourism.
0	0	No relevant content.

Indicative content

AO1: Basic assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Credit relevant knowledge such as:

• Behaviourists argue that behaviour is largely learned from experience.

• The environment is therefore central to explaining behaviour.

• Behaviourists focus on observable and measurable behaviour rather than relying on subjective reports of unobservable mental processes.

• Behaviour is investigated using controlled and objective scientific procedures.

• Behaviour can be learned through:

  • classical conditioning

  • operant conditioning.

• Behaviourist principles were developed through experimental research such as:

  • Pavlov’s research into classical conditioning

  • Skinner’s research into operant conditioning.

The specification directly requires both conditioning processes and Pavlov’s and Skinner’s research.

Classical conditioning

Credit relevant knowledge such as:

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