4.1.1-4.1.2 Classical conditioning

Question 1

IV and DV of Pavlovs experiment

Answer 1

IV: stimulus that causes salivation
DV: amount of saliva produced

Question 2

results of Pavlovs experiment

Answer 2

-salivation started after 9 secs, by 45 secs, 11 drops collected
-successfully classically conditioned to salivate to bell
-similar stimulus had same effect

Question 3

conclusions of pavlovs experiment

Answer 3

-theorised all learning (animals or humans) is due to classical conditioning
-sounds as similar to original sound elicited strongest response
-number of applications: therapy techniques, educational strategies, marketing and advertising

Question 4

controls of pavlovs experiment

Answer 4

-controlled lab-windows had thick sheets of glass, steel doors, floor embedded with sand (no temp extremes/vibrations/odours)
-observed via 2 way mirror
-control group to show normal salivation levels
-control hunger of dog, what food they like, hearing of dog mood

Question 5

classical conditioning meaning

Answer 5

Classical conditioning is a learning approach which links an existing involuntary reflex with a new stimulus

Question 6

extinction definition

Answer 6

when the association between a neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus weakens over time

Question 7

spontaneous recovery

Answer 7

when the response is reignited after time, even if the association has weakened

Question 8

generalisation definition

Answer 8

when similar stimuli to the conditioned one can elicit the same response eg bell and buzzer

Question 9

discrimination definition

Answer 9

the limit of generalisation-the tone has changed beyond recognition and no longer produces the conditioned response

Question 10

one trial learning definition

Answer 10

when an association can be made after only one pairing between CS and NS

Question 11

Evaluate Classical conditioning (pavlov)

Answer 11

1-Evidence= Pavlov’s theory, conditioned dogs to salivate to bell (11 drops in 45 secs), suggests Cc is a credible explanation
2. How good? = Pavlov, research used dogs which are relatively similar however have different cerebral cortexs, therefore findings cannot be generalised to humans

Question 12

Evaluate Classical conditioning (W&R)

Answer 12

1 Evidence= Watson and Rayner, used CC on 9 month old to create phobia of white fluffy things, therefore suggests phobias can be conditioned and generalised
2=How good? W&R, 9 month old emotionally stable baby used, can’t be generalised to adults

Question 13

Evaluate Classical conditioning (application + credibility)

Answer 13

1. Application= can be applied to treating phobias, use of SD/flooding by exposing individual to phobic stimulus, therefore as things can be conditioned, they can be unconditioned
2. Credibility= reductionist view, other biological factors eg. hormones genetics, oversimplifies behaviour and ignores other explanations so is incomplete explanation

Question 14

Evaluate Pavlov’s experiment (strengths)

Answer 14

-high internal validity, extraneous variables were controlled eg steel door and sand floor=stable environment, therefore cause and effect relationship
-high validity, objective data eg 11 drops after 45 secs, therefore research is unbiased and credible

Question 15

Evaluate Pavlov’s Experiment (weaknesses)

Answer 15

-low ecological validity, controlled lab environment eg fed by meat powder blown into cage, therefore cannot be generalised to real life
-low generalisability, dogs and humans are different eg bigger brains + more complex, experiment has low population validity and may not apply to humans