Behaviourist Approach - Assumption 2: Behaviour Is Learned Through Conditioning Flashcards
What are the 2 main mechanisms for learning behaviour
- classical conditioning
- Operant conditioning
What is classical conditioning
- learning by association
When does classical conditioning occur
- 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
What is the example from psychology for classical conditioning
Work of Ivan Pavlov (1849-1946)
How did Pavlov discover classical conditioning
- accident
- noticed dogs salivating as soon as lab assistant would walk in the room to feed them
What did the dogs learn
To anticipate food
What was introduced before food, and what did dogs learn
- 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
What is the formula for conditioning
Before cond. UCS = UCR
Before cond. NS = NR
During cond. NS + UCS = UCR
After cond. CS = CR
What does operant conditioning involve learning through
Consequences
- if rewarded = keep doing it
- if punished = stop it
Who mainly researched operant conditioning
BF Skinner (1938)
What can be assumed from Skinners work
What they found out from animals can be generalised to humans.
Is there much research into conditioning for humans
- no
- due to ethical and practical reasons
What was the Skinner box
- had a lever to be pulled for food
- speaker, lights, electrified grid = to be delivered in response to behaviour
What was the purpose of the Skinner box
By altering the environment, desired behaviour could be conditioned in the animal (shaping)
How did Skinner’s rats learn
They learned through reinforcement that when they pull the lever they get food
How did Skinner’s pigeons learn to play ping pong
- kept at 5% below body weight so that food is effective
- reinforced with food when pigeons do the desired actions
What is positive reinforcement and what is an example from dog training
- something desirable is given so that behaviour will be repeated
- e.g. Dog sits and gets treat
What is Negative reinforcement and what is an example from dog training
- 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
What is Positive Punishment and what is an example from dog training
- something undesirable is given so that behaviour is not repeated
- e.g. Hitting dog if it bites
What is Negative Punishment and what is an example from dog training
- something desirable is taken away in order that behaviour will not be repeated
- e.g. take dog bed away
How are phobias formed
Through conditioning
Give an example of operant cond. causing a phobia
Emily crying when she sees a spider and her mum gives her a hug to feel better
—> Negative reinforcement
What is the Positive/Negative/Reinforcement/Punishment apart of
Operant cond.
Give an example of classical cond. causing a phobia
BC. Bee (NS) = NR
BC. Sting (UCS) = Pain (UCR)
DC. Bee + Sting = Pain
AC. Bee (CS) = Pain (CR)
