Behaviourist and Social Learning Approach Flashcards
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association. Takes place when we associate to stimuli with each other.
Who investigated classical conditioning with dogs and food?
Ivan Pavlov
What happens in classical conditioning?
An unconditioned/unlearned stimulus (UCS) is repeatedly paired with a neutral stimulus (NS). Initially the NS produces no response but eventually it produces the same response as produced by the NS and creates a new stimulus
Key assumption
Behaviour s a learned response to the environmental stimuli
Link to key assumption
When the NS produces a natural response on its own which shows that classical conditioning has taken place.
Evaluation point- Strength
Practical application- It can be used in treatment of psychological disorders (eg. gambling addiction). They can use things like aversion therapy which associates the addiction with something bad so they don’t want to do it again. This shows classical conditioning has taken place and has useful applications and improves quality of life.
Evaluation point- Strength
Learning in humans can take place through classical conditioning. Watson and Rayner conducted an experiment where they scared the baby using loud noises (something he fears) and a rat to see if when paired he would be scared of both and eventually just rats because he associated fear with the rat after seeing the rat and noise together. This shows that classical conditioning a fear response to a neutral stimulus straightforward, at least in young children.
evaluation point- weakness
Only explains learning of a limited range of behaviours (e.g. simple reflex behaviours). More complex behaviours involve other learning processes. Shows that its just a partial explanation of learning with limited applications.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning through consequences. We form a link between a behaviour and its consequence. Depending on the consequence, it decreases the chances of the behaviours being repeated.
What is reinforcement? (consequence)
what increases the probability of a behaviour being repeated. Any consequences that happen is said to reinforce the behaviour.
What is positive reinforcement
Occurs when a behaviour is followed by a pleasant consequence.this could be something tangible (food, money) or intangible (a smile or nice comment). The consequence reinforces the behaviours making it likely to happen again.
what is negative reinforcement
Occurs when a behaviour is followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimuli. (eg. the removal of pan negatively reinforces the behaviour that follows and makes it more likely the behaviour will be repeated.
What is punishment? (consequence)
Reduces the probability of behaviour being repeated
What is Positive punishment
When a behaviour is followed by an unpleasant consequence ( a slap or harsh words)
What is negative punishment?
Occurs when behaviour is followed by the removal of something pleasant.
What is motivation
The drive to behave in a way that achieves a goal or satisfies a need
What are extrinsic rewards?
Pleasurable consequences of a behaviour that come from our environment, like other individuals (eg. praise money).
What are intrinsic rewards
Pleasurable consequence of a behaviour that come. from within the individual (personal. e.g. feeling of achievement.
