Classic conditioning (LT)

Question 1

Strength

Answer 1

I - Classical conditioning is supported by research
J - Pavlov (1927): demonstrated in the dogs by associating bell with food to elicit a salvation response

Watson and Rayner (1920): demonstrated in a human baby by associating a rat with a loud bang to elicit a fear response
E - Overall, there are good controlled studies that demonstrate that both animals and human learn behaviours through classical conditioning, increasing the validity of classical conditioning as an explanation of learning.

Question 2

Weakness

Answer 2

I - Classical conditioning as an explanation for learning can only explain a small range of behaviours that can be acquired.
J - It can explain salivation but can’t explain complex chains for learned behaviour. For example; it can explain why someone learns to fear a dog, but does not explain how someone learns and maintains behaviours that they use to avoid dogs.
E - As such, classical conditioning can only be partial explanation of learning behaviours, and other explanations, such as operant conditioning (learning through reinforcement and punishment) is needed to explain learning of complex behaviours.