Behaviourist Approach - Assumption 2: Behaviour Is Learned Through Conditioning

Question 1

What are the 2 main mechanisms for learning behaviour

Answer 1

• classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning

Question 2

What is classical conditioning

Answer 2

• learning by association

Question 3

When does classical conditioning occur

Answer 3

• association made between a previously unlearned response, and a neutral stimulus
• if the 2 are paired enough times, eventually the neutral stimulus will produce the learned response

Question 4

What is the example from psychology for classical conditioning

Answer 4

Work of Ivan Pavlov (1849-1946)

Question 5

How did Pavlov discover classical conditioning

Answer 5

• accident
• noticed dogs salivating as soon as lab assistant would walk in the room to feed them

Question 6

What did the dogs learn

Answer 6

To anticipate food

Question 7

What was introduced before food, and what did dogs learn

Answer 7

• ticking sound behind a screen
• then food appears = saliva
• after a number of trials = dog connects ticking to getting food
• therefore dogs salivate with just ticking in its own

Question 8

What is the formula for conditioning

Answer 8

Before cond. UCS = UCR
Before cond. NS = NR
During cond. NS + UCS = UCR
After cond. CS = CR

Question 9

What does operant conditioning involve learning through

Answer 9

Consequences
- if rewarded = keep doing it
- if punished = stop it

Question 10

Who mainly researched operant conditioning

Answer 10

BF Skinner (1938)

Question 11

What can be assumed from Skinners work

Answer 11

What they found out from animals can be generalised to humans.

Question 12

Is there much research into conditioning for humans

Answer 12

• no
• due to ethical and practical reasons

Question 13

What was the Skinner box

Answer 13

• had a lever to be pulled for food
• speaker, lights, electrified grid = to be delivered in response to behaviour

Question 14

What was the purpose of the Skinner box

Answer 14

By altering the environment, desired behaviour could be conditioned in the animal (shaping)

Question 15

How did Skinner’s rats learn

Answer 15

They learned through reinforcement that when they pull the lever they get food

Question 16

How did Skinner’s pigeons learn to play ping pong

Answer 16

• kept at 5% below body weight so that food is effective
• reinforced with food when pigeons do the desired actions

Question 17

What is positive reinforcement and what is an example from dog training

Answer 17

• something desirable is given so that behaviour will be repeated
• e.g. Dog sits and gets treat

Question 18

What is Negative reinforcement and what is an example from dog training

Answer 18

• something undesirable is taken away in order for that behaviour to be repeated
• e.g. Dog stops pulling on lead to avoid a choking collar

Question 19

What is Positive Punishment and what is an example from dog training

Answer 19

• something undesirable is given so that behaviour is not repeated
• e.g. Hitting dog if it bites

Question 20

What is Negative Punishment and what is an example from dog training

Answer 20

• something desirable is taken away in order that behaviour will not be repeated
• e.g. take dog bed away

Question 21

How are phobias formed

Answer 21

Through conditioning

Question 22

Give an example of operant cond. causing a phobia

Answer 22

Emily crying when she sees a spider and her mum gives her a hug to feel better
—> Negative reinforcement

Question 23

What is the Positive/Negative/Reinforcement/Punishment apart of

Answer 23

Operant cond.

Question 24

Give an example of classical cond. causing a phobia

Answer 24

BC. Bee (NS) = NR
BC. Sting (UCS) = Pain (UCR)
DC. Bee + Sting = Pain
AC. Bee (CS) = Pain (CR)