behaviourist approach - classical conditioning

Question 1

what is classical conditioning ?

Answer 1

learning our behavior through association/ takes place when we associate two stimuli with each other

Question 2

who was it first studied by ?

Answer 2

Ivan Pavlov

Question 3

How does Classical Conditioning work=

Answer 3

An unconditioned (unlearned) stimulus is repeatedly paired with a neutral stimulus. Initially the neutral stimulus produces no response but eventually it produces the same response as produced by the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 4

stage 1- Pavlovs dog experiment
before conditioning

Answer 4

1) Before conditioning- the dog naturally salivates to the smell and appearance of food (but not the sound of the bell)

.Food is the unconditioned stimulus

.the dog’s natural behaviour to salivate is the unconditioned response.

Question 5

stage 2- Pavlovs dog experiment
during conditioning

Answer 5

2) During conditioning- the sound of the bell is repeatedly presented at the same time as the food (so the dog salivates)

When the bell is introduced, it is the neutral stimulus

. When the researcher is ringing the bell at the same time as giving food, the dog still produces an unconditioned response. (when its first introduced)

Question 6

stage 3- Pavlovs dog experiment
after conditioning

Answer 6

After conditioning- the dog now salivates to the sound of the bell without the food (a new stimulus response) as association has been formed.

Eventually the dog salivates at just the sound of the bell- the bell has become a conditioned stimulus

. the dog salivating at just the bell is a conditioned response.

Question 7

Pavlovs dog experiment
Making links to key assumptions-

Answer 7

Behaviorist approach assumption= behaviour is a learned response to environmental stimuli

how that link to Pavlovs experiment =

. The unconditioned stimuli (food) and neutral stimuli (bell) are the environmental stimuli

. When the neutral stimuli (bell) produces a response on its own it becomes the conditioned stimulus.

. This shows that classical conditioning has taken place, and a new behavior has been learned,

Question 8

key words to use =

Answer 8

neutral response
neutral stimulus
unconditioned stimulus
unconditioned response
conditioned stimulus
conditioned response

Question 9

weakness

Answer 9

limited explanation of learning

. classical conditioning can only explain learning of a limited range of behaviours- simple reflex behaviours

. more complex behaviours include other learning processes. For example CC can explain how a phobia of dogs is aquired, but it can not explain how that phobia continues over time.

. this means that classical conditioning is just a partial explanation

Question 9

strength-practical applications

Answer 9

. CC is the basis of a therapy used to treat some psychological disorders; including forms of addiction

. Gambling addiction= aversion therapy- given a painful electric shock (UCS) when they read gambling related phrases on a card (NS). The shock produces a unconditioned response of discomfort. after several pairings the NS becomes the CS and produces the same discomfort (now CR)

. This shows how classical conditioning has useful applications that can reduce psychological suffering and improve quality of life

Question 10

Strength- research to support

Answer 10

. Watson and Rayner-

conditioned a fear response in a baby now known to us as “Little Albert”.

. Albert initially showed no fear when he played with a white rat.

But the researchers paired the rat with something he was afraid of – a loud noise.

. After several parings Albert cried and crawled away from the white rat even when there was no noise.

. This shows that classical conditioning – a fear response to a neutral stimulus is relatively straight forward; in young children