Approaches Flashcards
what are key assumptions of learning theory (LT)behaviourism?
-we are born as blank slates and behaviour is learnt from environment
-only focus on behaviours than can be observed and measured(unlike introspection)
-uses animal studies and applies findings to human behaviour
explain classical conditioning.
learning through association
PAVLOVS dogs:
bell rang when dogs served food.
dogs associated bell w food
when bell rang dogs began to salivate
shows neutral stimulus (bell) can cause unconditioned response via association
explain operant conditioning.
learning via punishments/reinforcement
SKINNER(1953)RATS:
put into skinner box
positive reinforcement: rats activate lever to receive food
negative reinforcement; rats pushed lever to avoid getting electric shock
what is meant by positive and negative reinforcement?
positive- repeating behaviour in order to get rewarded
negative-repeating behaviour in order to avoid punishment
what is positive punishment?
decreasing the rate of undesired behaviour by adding a negative consequence once the behaviour is displayed.
what is negative punishment?
decreasing the rate of unwanted behaviour by removing a favourite/desirable item form the individual’s life.
what are the strengths of behaviourism?
-it has RWA-led to treatment for phobias(systematic desensitisation)
-it has research support-Skinner and Pavlov’s studies were both lab experiments, high control over EV, high IV
what are the weaknesses of behaviourism?
-it is deterministic-states behaviour is only learnt via the environment
-uses animal studies-findings cannot be completely extrapolated to humans
-Doesn’t include biological factors e.g. fear of dark may be evolutionary
what did Bandura (1977) state (SLT)
we learn through modelling and imitation
what are the steps in observational learning?
modelling-behaviour learned by observing others
imitation-copying the behaviour of a role model
identification-copying behaviour to be associated with a person or group
vicarious reinforcement-more likely to repeat a behaviour if we see the model being rewarded for it/
what are the mediational processes?
attention-behaviour has to catch our attention
retention-behaviour must be remembered
motor reproduction-must have the skill and ability to produce behaviour
motivation-must have the will-determined by if behaviour was punished or rewarded
Bandura (1961) experiment
lab experiment
matched pairs
iv: type of model observed
sample:36 boys and girls aged between 3-6
what was bandura’s findings?
-the children who observed the aggressive role model acted more aggressive towards the bobo doll than those who observed non-aggressive and no role model
-boys were more likely to imitate the same rex role models than girls
-boys were more aggressive towards the bobo dolls than girls
what was bandura’s procedure?
-24 kids observed aggressive role model,24 observed non-aggressive role model,24 observed no role model(control group)
weaknesses of Bandura’s study.
cofounding variables affected study-boys have higher testosterone than girls which is linked to aggression
the situation is artificial-children aren’t usually shown videos of adults beating dolls
