Approaches Flashcards
What are the two forms of learning?
Classical conditioning- learning through association/Pavlov
Operant conditioning- learning through reinforcement and punishment/ Skinner
Explain classical conditioning
When a neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus so that it eventually takes on the properties of the stimulus and is able to produce a conditioned response.
The food for example acts as an unconditioned stimulus which makes the dog give an unconditioned response of salivating.
When a bell is rung when given with food it becomes a neutral stimulus and produces salivating when it is a unconditioned response.
Explain the four features of classical conditioning
Timing- if the NS cannot be used to predict the UCS (e.g if it occurs after the UCS or the time interval between the two it is too great) the conditioning does not take places
Extinction- unlike the UCS, the CR does not become permanently established as a response. After a few presentations of the CS in the absence of the UCS, it uses ability to produce CR
Spontaneous- following extinction, if the CS and UCS are then paired together once again, the link between them is made much more quickly
Stimulus generation- once an animal has been conditioned, they will also respond to other stimuli that are similar to the CS
Define in detail operant conditioning
Term used by B.F Skinner to describe how the consequences an action can make that action more or less likely to be repeated. people learn to perform new behaviours through the consequences of the behaviours they do. If behaviour is followed by reinforcement then the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated increases in future
What is positive reinforcement?
Consequences which are pleasant and which bring about a behaviour
What is negative reinforcement?
Behaviour is repeated in order to escape an unpleasant consequence
What are schedules of reinforcement?
A continuous reinforcement is most effective in establishing a paticulaf response, a partial reinforcement schedule is more effective in maintaining that response and avoiding extinction- reinforcing something every now and again
What is punishment?
If behaviour is followed by punishment then the likelihood of that behaviour being related in future decreases
EVALUATION
Behavioural approach
Give two strengths and weaknesses
+ scientific methods
Insistence on objectivity. Control over extraneous variables and precise measurements
Results are valid- can establish cause and effect
+effective for some disorders/ practical solutions to many human problems
Operant conditioning is an effective way of modifying behavioural find it hard to learn the ways
Phobias- benefited from behavioural therapies
- it is deterministic
Assumed to be controlled by their environment/ no choosing their own actions- nurture side/ reductionist
- nature/ nature debate
There ate genetic influences on what animals can and cannot learn
Generalisations between species
What is the behaviourist approach?
The approach where behaviour is learnt from the environment
Humans and animals learn as a response to the environment changes and consequences of behaviour
Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically and it is these behaviours that should be studied
What is the learning approach? (Social leaning theory)
We learn t behave by watching others and copying their behaviour
What is imitation?
The action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour
What is identification?
A form of influence where an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a paticulaf group
What is modelling?
A form of learning where individuals learn a paticular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Occurs when someone observes another person’s behaviour being rewarded or punished. Likely to repeat if behaviour is rewarded
What is the role of mediational processes?
There are a range of meditational processes such as memory, attention and motivation that can influence behaviour
Discuss the research by Bandura’s Bobo doll study
Aim
A-Bandura conducted a study to investigate if social behaviour can be required by imitation
Discuss the research by Bandura’s Bobo doll study
Producer
Children observed adult model behaviour that was aggressive/non- aggressive
We’re tested for imitative learning
50%- aggressive adults
50%- non aggressive
Saw some attractive toys which they were not allowed to play with
Taken to a room with a Bobo doll
Discuss the research by Bandura’s Bobo doll study
Finding
Observed aggressive model showed verbal and physically abusive to doll
One third of aggressive model reaped the model’s verbal responses
Being awarded for behaviour- high levels of agrees in
Children learn behaviour by observation and imitation
EVALUATION
Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment
Give a strength and a weakness
Gibe A03
+ the study was an experiment so extraneous variables were controlled
Results will be more reliable- other factors won’t be in way
Accurate data- can establish cause and effect
- the study was an experiment so was artificial
Lacks ecological validity- can’t apply to other Sicily seeking
+ application to real life
Increases understanding of human behaviour e.g criminal behaviour
- ethical issues
Did they consent?
Lack of informed consent- ppts were children
Psychological harm
A03
Ulrich 2003-
Strongest cause of violent behaviour in conscience was association with peer group/ behaviour was modelled
EVALUATION
Social Learning approach
\+ the methods Objectivity, control over extraneous variables and precise measurements/ studies are very reliable \+useful applications Used to understand children's/ criminal behaviour - approach is deterministic Assumed to be controlled by environment Nuture side - cause and effect Free will/ more complex Multiple factors- genetics
What is the cognitive approach?
Emphasises our ability to process information before we respond/ react
Why was it developed in the 1960s?
To react to the behaviourist approach and that humans are simply responding to their environment stimuli.
Why are treatments called cognitive behavioural therapy?
Researchers were concerned over the lack of attention given to cognitive processes
How do cognitive psychologists explain human behaviour?
People try to actively make sense of their environment by imposing order and meaning on the things they encounter
Are based around the ways in which people organise and process information relevant to paticular ways of acting
What is a schema?
Are ways of organising knowledge and experience of the world into generic templates that are used to make sense of objects, situations and people we encounter
What and how do cognitive psychologists measure behaviour?
Inferring- studied indirectly by measuring the behaviour of some- optical illusion
Schema- cognitive framework that helps organise and interpret information based on expected behaviour in certain seconds
Theoretical models- MSM is simplified representation based on current research advice
What is the role of theoretical and computer models?
You can’t always explain how composted memory is so models help us to understand things like memory
Simple representations based on current research evidence
What is the role of computer models?
Focuses on the way in which sensory information is ‘coded’ as it passes through the system
Compartmentalise files- try to access it
Info is inpitted though the senses and then combined with previously stored info to do tasks
What is the biological approach?
Behaviour is the result of physical causes
How do genetics effect behaviour?
significant research findings in family studies suggest an inherted predisposition. For example dominant and recessive genes. 3% more likely to develop schizophrenia if your parents have it
How do neurotransmitters effect behaviour?
They are chemicals that carry signals between brain cells suggesting that too much or too littler neurotransmitter may result in a change of behaviour. For example too much serotonin can lead to depression. Too little dopamine can lead to schizpjonria.
How does our brain scrucrure and changes in the nervous system effect our behaviour?
Can alter people’s behaviour. For example adrenaline can increase our heart rate and our eye pupils increase.
What is a genotype?
What is a phenotype?
Genotype- genetic make up of an individual
Phenotype- physical characteristics
What is a neurotransmitter?
A neutron is connected to other neurons. Each sends and electrical message
What is a sympathetic hormone?
What is a parasympathetic hormone?
Speeds system up
Slows system down
How does behaviour evolve?
E.g aggression
Natural selection means organisms adapt to their environment over time
There is competition to survive and those that do survive reproduce
1989- Buss studied 37 different cultures found universal similarities
Women- desired males with resource
Men- physically attractive women