Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology > Approaches > Flashcards

Approaches Flashcards

1
Q

What 3 theories is the learning approach broken down into?

A

Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Social Learning theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Is classical conditioning a behaviourist theory or a non-behaviourist theory?

A

Behaviourist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Is operant conditioning a behaviourist theory or a non-behaviourist theory?

A

Behaviourist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Is the Social Learning Theory a behaviourist theory or a non-behaviourist theory?

A

Non-behaviourist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the difference between a behaviourist theory and a non-behaviourist theory?

A

Behaviourist theories study observable behaviour in a lab, whilst non-behaviourist theories also study mental observations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Who developed classical conditioning?

A

Ivan Pavlov

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Who developed operant conditioning?

A

B. F. Skinner

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Who developed the social learning theory?

A

Albert Bandura

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 4 key assumptions of the learning approach?

A
  1. The environment is central to our behaviour, and our actions are caused by nurture, not nature (e.g. if bitten by a dog, you’re scared of dogs)
  2. Psychologists should study observable behaviour only (leads to limited explanations because many things are mental conditions)
  3. We are born as ‘blank slates’ and genetics and biology don’t affect our behaviour (outdated theory - modern research shows that activities in the womb affect babies before birth)
  4. Animal research is relevant to humans because humans and animals are just as complex (outdated - modern research shows that the human brain is the most complex)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

In classical conditioning, what was the food for the dogs?

A

The unconditioned stimulus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

In classical conditioning, what is the automatic response of salivation known as

A

An unconditioned response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Before classical conditioning, what is the metronome known as

A

A neutral stimulus since it doesn’t cause any particular response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How does classical conditioning work

A

The NS and the UCS are repeatedly paired or associated together (20ish times), so the dogs soon learn that the metronome means that food will follow, therefore they salivate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

After classical conditioning, what is the metronome to the dog?

A

A conditioned stimuli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

After classical conditioning, is salivation a neutral or controlled response (and why)?

A

A conditioned response because the dog has learned that the metronome means food will follow, so the response is learned

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the formula for classical conditioning?

A

UCS –> UCR
NS + UCS –> UCR
CS –> CR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the definition of a reflex?

A

An automatic response to a stimulus that requires no thought (it can be learned/conditioned)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the definition of a CS?

A

How the neutral stimulus changed and now causes a learned, reflex action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the definition of a stimulus?

A

Any change in the environment in which we register

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the definition of a extinction?

A

When the CS is not paired with the UCS occasionally after conditioning, the CR will die out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the definition of a response?

A

Changes in our behaviour due to a stimulus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the definition of a UCS?

A

The original stimulus which causes a reflex action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the definition of a CR?

A

The learned response prompted by the CS

24
Q

What is the definition of a NS?

A

A stimulus that causes no reaction

25
Q

What is the definition of a UCR?

A

The original reflex reaction in classical conditioning

26
Q

What is the definition of a stimulus generalisation?

A

When the participant responds to a different stimuli which is similar to the CS

27
Q

What is the definition of a spontaneous recovery?

A

This occurs after extinction when the CR returns when there is n more pairing of the NS and the UCS (it soon dies out)

27
Q

Weaknesses of classical conditioning

A
  • lacks ecological validity
  • determinist approach which suggests that we have no free will, further reducing the validity
28
Q

When was Pavlov’s study

A

1927

29
Q

What were the aims of Pavlov’s study?

A

To establish how salivation is produced in dogs due to 2 unrelated stimuli being associated

30
Q

What were the conclusions of Pavlov’s study?

A

Classical conditioning worked forwards, but not backwards

31
Q

What were the results of Pavlov’s study?

A

It took around 20 pairings but after this, it took 9 seconds for salivation after the metronome sound, and after 45 seconds, 11 drops were produced

32
Q

What was Pavlov’s method

A
  • paired a metronome with food several times
  • tried forwards and backwards conditioning
33
Q

Strengths of Pavlov’s study

A
  • good internal validity because it was done in a lab so EVs were controlled. this clearly showed the cause and effect
  • study produces quantitative data which is objectifiable, meaning it is not questionable
34
Q

Weaknesses of Pavlov’s study

A
  • poor ecological validity because it was done in a lab and therefore, dogs wouldn’t act naturally because they were in an artificial setting
  • ethical concerns because the dogs were operated on and had a tube inserted into their mouths, which was unnatural for them
35
Q

What does operant conditioning explain

A

Voluntary behaviour

36
Q

What did Skinner call rewards

A

Reinforcements

37
Q

What is positive reinforcement

A

When we receive something we want or like for performing a desirable behaviour, so the behaviour is repeated

38
Q

What is negative reinforcement

A

When something undesirable is taken away from you for performing a desirable behaviour, so the behaviour is repeated

39
Q

What is primary reinforcement

A

Something that satisfies a basic need such as hunger or thirst

40
Q

What is secondary reinforcement

A

Something we want because we have learned to value it (e.g. money)

41
Q

What does punishment do

A

Weakens and stops undesirable behaviour

42
Q

What is positive punishment

A

Giving something unpleasant or painful when undesirable behaviour is shown

43
Q

What is negative punishment

A

Removing something pleasant after undesirable behaviour

44
Q

What is an example of positive reinforcement

A

Being given a merit for good work

45
Q

What is an example of negative reinforcement

A

If you do well, no homework will be set

46
Q

What is an example of positive punishment

A

Given a detention

47
Q

What is an example of negative punishment

A

Mobile phone taken away

48
Q

Strengths of Skinner’s research

A
  • good internal validity (clear cause and effect)
  • good standardised procedure (study can be replicated to prove validity and consistency)
49
Q

Weaknesses of Skinner’s research

A
  • low generalisability (rats have less complex brains than humans - our rewards are subjective)
  • low mundane realism (rats wouldn’t behave this way in reality)
  • unethical (reduces credibility)
50
Q

what was the aim of Skinner’s research

A

to investigate behavioural responses as a result of punishment due to trial-and-error learning

51
Q

explain the procedure of Skinner’s research

A
  • the rats were put into a ‘skinner box’ which had a lever that could be pressed, and food would be given
  • the lights and speakers in the box would flash before a shock was administered to the animal, giving them a warning (this could be stopped if they pressed the lever)
52
Q

how did skinner show positive reinforcement

A

the rats were given a food pellet for performing a desirable trait (pushing the lever)

53
Q

how did skinner show negative reinforcement

A

the unpleasant electric shock would be removed if the rats pushed the lever

54
Q

how did skinner demonstrate punishment

A

skinner made the rats re-learn the lever’s function, and changed it to an undesirable trait that caused an electric shock to be administered

55
Q

conclusions made from skinners study

A

operant conditioning is an effective way to control behaviour with reinforcement being more effective than punishment (took rats longer to learn the punishment than the reinforcement)

Psychology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions