Approaches L2 - The Behaviourist Approach - Classicak Conditioning And Pavlov’s Research

Question 1

Define the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observed in terms of learning

Question 2

What is classical conditioning

Answer 2

This is learning by association. A neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus. The neutral stimulus will eventually produce the same response that was produced by the unconditioned response alone.

Question 3

Summary of Pavlov’s work

Answer 3

• This method of learning involves building up an association between two different stimuli so that learning takes place.
• Dogs can be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell, if the sound of a bell is repeatedly presented at the same time as food is presented.
• Both of these stimuli would be paired or associated together to cause a learning response, so that the dog would learn to associate the sound of the bell with food and will then salivate.
• At the end of the conditioning process, the dog will learn to salivate when they hear the sound of the bell (alone).

Question 4

What happens before classical conditioning in Pavlov’s experiment?

Answer 4

• Food (unconditioned stimulus) produces the unconditioned response of the dog salivating
• A bell (neutral stimulus) is rung (presented alone, without the presence of food). The dog does not salivate (no conditioned response is observed)

Question 5

What happens during classical conditioning in Pavlov’s experiment?

Answer 5

• The unconditioned stimulus (food) is repeatedly paired with the neutral stimulus (the bell ringing) to produce salivation (unconditioned response). This is classical conditioning which shows how learning takes place

Question 6

What happens after classical conditioning in Pavlov’s experiment?

Answer 6

We can then present the bell alone (conditioned stimulus) and the dog will then begin to salivate (conditioned response). Learning has taken place via classical conditioning and an association has been established between the bell being rung and the dog salivating

Question 7

Generalisation

Answer 7

Stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimuli (bell) will cause the conditioned response (salivation) e.g. a bell with a different pitch or sound will cause salivation

Question 8

Discrimination

Answer 8

Stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimuli (bell) will not produce the conditioned response (salivation). This can be done by withholding the unconditioned stimulus (food). For example a similar sounding bell is rung but food is not presented at the same time. Therefore salivation will not occur

Question 9

Extinction

Answer 9

The conditioned response (salivation) is not produced because of the bell being rung. This occurs when the conditioned stimulus (bell) is presented without the unconditioned stimulus of food