4.1.1 - classical conditioning Flashcards
what is the principle of classical conditioning?
associative learning means that when a new stimulus is paired with an existing stimulus response link, we learn to associate the two stimuli and respond similarly to both
what is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
a stimulus which produces a natural, unlearned response
what is the unconditioned response (UCR)?
a response which occurs naturally without any form of learning (like a reflex)
what is the neutral stimulus (NS)?
an environmental stimulus which doesn’t, without association, produce a response
what is the conditioned stimulus (CS)?
a stimulus which has been associated with an unconditioned stimulus so it now produces the same response
what is the conditioned response (CR)?
behaviour shown in response to a learned stimulus
what does stimulus generalisation mean?
there is a tendency for the conditioned stimulus to produce the same behaviour to a similar stimulus once the response is conditioned
what does stimulus discrimination mean?
over time, learning only occurs in response to a specific stimulus (organisms can distinguish between stimuli which are very different)
what does extinction mean?
the removal (death) of a behaviour - when the conditioned stimulus is continually presented without the unconditioned stimulus, the stimuli are dissociated
what does spontaneous recovery mean?
when the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli are paired once again and become re associated - while a response may disappear with extinction, it isn’t fully lost
what is an example of classical conditioning - cats being fed?
food is the unconditioned stimulus
salivation on seeing food is the unconditioned response (happens automatically)
the neutral stimulus is the sound of opening a can of cat food - it produces no response before pairing
when the neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are repeatedly paired, an association is formed - the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus, and the unconditioned response becomes the conditioned response
when the sound of the opening can is repeatedly paired with the presentation of food, the sound begins to trigger the conditioned response, so the cat salivates when hearing the can open
what is an example of stimulus generalisation - cats being fed?
the cat responds to any tin being opened in the kitchen
what is an example of stimulus discrimination - cats being fed?
the cat only responds to the can opening at a certain time of day
what are the principles of the behaviourist approach?
people are products of their behaviour - all complex behaviours are learnt
only observable behaviour should be studied
what is a strength of behaviourism?
it focuses on observable behaviour which is empirical so can be tested scientifically - this allows psychologists to watch and measure the processes involved in learning to understand it better
what is a weakness of behaviourism?
its focus on the role of nurture in creating human behaviour makes it reductionist because it eliminates the role of mental processes
strengths of classical conditioning - supporting evidence?
Pavlov (1927) and Watson and Rayner (1920) show how classical conditioning can cause a neutral stimulus to be paired with an unconditioned stimulus and cause an unconditioned response
strengths of classical conditioning - usefulness?
theory has useful practical applications:
1. aversion therapy - forms association between a behaviour and a negative outcome to stop the behaviour eg. giving alcohol addicts disulfirum to make them sick if they consume alcohol
2. systematic desensitisation - forms association between the thing someone has a phobia of and feelings of relaxation
strengths of classical conditioning - testability?
theory focuses on observable behaviour so is scientific and easy to test
weaknesses of classical conditioning - methodology of supporting evidence (contradictory)?
both pieces of supporting evidence have issues with generalisability:
both conducted in controlled lab setting so may not be generalisable to everyday scenarios
Pavlov used dogs so may not be generalisable to human behaviour
Watson and Rayner used Little Albert who appeared unemotional and may have been unwell during study so may not be generalisable to normal, healthy children
weaknesses of classical conditioning - behaviourist approach?
because behaviourists ignore the role of the mind, they can’t explain why certain stimuli condition quicker than others
