1.3.1 Behaviourist explanation for relationship formation

Question 1

As behaviourists believe that all behaviour is learned from the environment what factors would they think are most influential in relationship formation

Answer 1

External factors

Question 2

What drives our behaviour according to opoerant conditioning

Answer 2

Reinforcments and punishments

Question 3

Give an example of positive reinforcment in relationship formation

Answer 3

• Attention someone gives us
• Compliments
• Having company of someone we like
• All are rewarding
• For these reasons we are more likely to repeat the bahviour and spend more time with that person

Question 4

Give an example of negative reinforcment in relationship formation

Answer 4

• Being with someone els may help us avoid feelings of lonliness and rejection
• Successfully avoiding these feelings is negative reinforcment

Question 5

Give an example of how punishment can influence relationship formation

Answer 5

• Being excluded from an event because it is couples only
• Decreases the liklihood we want to be alone and increase liklihood we will want to form a relationship

Question 6

Give an example of how classical conditioning can influence relationship formation

Answer 6

• If we meet someone when we are feeling happy we are much more inclined to like them than if we meet them when we are feeling unhappy.
• Previously neutral stimulus has becomes either positively or negatively valued as they are associated with a positive or negative event
• Making a relationship formation more or less likely

Question 7

How are is owning a pet related to classical conditioning

Answer 7

• Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets
• People with pets have lower lower blood pressure in stressfull situations than those without pets
• Presence of a pet is generally associated with positive feelings such as companionship and loyalty (CLASSICAL CONDITIOING)