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
strengths of bandura’s study?
it has RWA-explains how influences in the media can be imitated by children
Research support for identification-Same sex role model – more likely to display aggression -important part in SLT
what are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach?
-internal mental processes should be studied scientifically
-internal mental processes mediate between stimulus and behaviour response
-the mind operates a similar way to a computer and models can be used to represent mental processes
what are the main cognitive processes of the cognitive approach?
perception, memory, language and thought
what are the methods of investigation for the cognitive approach?
-lab experiments
-functional brain scanning techniques
what is a schema?
a cognitive structure that acts as a unit of knowledge to help us oragnise and interpret info in the external world. AKA clusters of info
why are schemas useful?
they allow us to take shortcuts in interpreting vast amounts of info
what are inferences?
drawing conclusions based on assumptions about internal mental processes that can’t be directly observed.
what are computer models?
compare the mind to a computer and allows inferences to be made about internal mental processes
