Classical Conditioning

Question 1

This theory was developed by ____ ______, a Russian scientist who was the first Russian to win the Nobel Prize (for Medicine). It is sometimes called _________ ____________ after him.

Answer 1

This theory was developed by IVAN PAVLOV, a Russian scientist who was the first Russian to win the Nobel Prize (for Medicine). It is sometimes called “PAVLOVIAN” CONDITIONING after him.

Question 2

Pavlov carried out his original research on dogs but the conclusions were applied to humans by American behaviourist psychologists, notably ____ _ ______.

Answer 2

Pavlov carried out his original research on dogs but the conclusions were applied to humans by American behaviourist psychologists, notably JOHN B. WATSON.

Question 3

Pavlov’s discoveries about animal behaviour were generalised to humans based on ____________ ______ (than humans and other animals learn through similar mechanisms). This in turn led to the ____________ school in Psychology.

Answer 3

Pavlov’s discoveries about animal behaviour were generalised to humans based on EVOLUTIONARY THEORY (than humans and other animals learn through similar mechanisms). This in turn led to the BEHAVIOURIST school in Psychology.

Question 4

It ties in to your ___ ________ __ ________ ______, since it helps explain ________.

Answer 4

It ties in to your KEY QUESTION IN LEARNING THEORY, since it helps explain ANOREXIA.

Question 5

A ________ is something in our environment that affects us; a ________ is our reaction to a stimulus.

Answer 5

A STIMULUS is something in our environment that affects us; a RESPONSE is our reaction to a stimulus.

Question 6

We all have a natural tendency to react to certain stimuli, for example to start when we hear a loud, unexpected noise or laugh when tickled. These are _____________ _________ (___) and the things that produce them are _____________ _______ (___).

Answer 6

We all have a natural tendency to react to certain stimuli, for example to start when we hear a loud, unexpected noise or laugh when tickled. These are UNCONDITIONED RESPONSES (UCR) and the things that produce them are UNCONDITIONED STIMULI (UCS).

Question 7

When a _______ ________ (__) that normally doesn’t affect us is ______ over a period of time with a UCS, the two become associated. This is ________ __ ___________, also known as ____________.

Answer 7

When a NEUTRAL STIMULUS (NS) that normally doesn’t affect us is PAIRED over a period of time with a UCS, the two become associated. This is LEARNING BY ASSOCIATION, also known as CONDITIONING.

Question 8

After conditioning, the NS becomes a ___________ ________ (__) because it produces the same reaction from us that the UCS used to produce. There is something artificial about this learned response to a CS, which is why it is known as a ___________ ________ (__).

Answer 8

After conditioning, the NS becomes a CONDITIONED STIMULUS (CS) because it produces the same reaction from us that the UCS used to produce. There is something artificial about this learned response to a CS, which is why it is known as a CONDITIONED RESPONSE (CR).

Question 9

Conditioned responses don’t ____ artificial to the person doing them.

Answer 9

Conditioned responses don’t FEEL artificial to the person doing them.

Question 10

Conditioned stimuli gradually lose their association with the original unconditioned stimulus and they revert back to being a neutral stimulus again. This process is called __________ and it can take a long time.

Answer 10

Conditioned stimuli gradually lose their association with the original unconditioned stimulus and they revert back to being a neutral stimulus again. This process is called EXTINCTION and it can take a long time.

Question 11

Even after extinction, a CR can reappear. This is termed ___________ ________.

Answer 11

Even after extinction, a CR can reappear. This is termed SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY.

Question 12

Quite often, people who have learned by association will carry on making associations. This is called ________ ______________ and it means that stimuli that are similar to the CS will produce the CR.

Answer 12

Quite often, people who have learned by association will carry on making associations. This is called STIMULUS GENERALISATION and it means that stimuli that are similar to the CS will produce the CR.

Question 13

The _______ _____ in the Learning Approach is ______ _ _______ (____) “____ ______” _____, which uses Classical Conditioning to produce a phobia in a baby boy.

Answer 13

The CLASSIC STUDY in the Learning Approach is WATSON & RAYNOR’S (1920) “BABY ALBERT” STUDY, which uses Classical Conditioning to produce a phobia in a baby boy.

Question 14

_____ _ ______ (____) carried out a series of procedures in the USA to ‘cure’ homosexuals of their same-sex attraction. ______ ________ (____) reports how these studies generated great excitement in America and prompted many doctors and judges to recommend using conditioning to change the behaviour of homosexuals and paedophiles (homosexuality was illegal at the time and many people confused it with paedophilia). However, the conclusions were not valid.

Answer 14

DAVID H. BARLOW (1966) carried out a series of procedures in the USA to ‘cure’ homosexuals of their same-sex attraction. MARTIN SELIGMAN (1993) reports how these studies generated great excitement in America and prompted many doctors and judges to recommend using conditioning to change the behaviour of homosexuals and paedophiles (homosexuality was illegal at the time and many people confused it with paedophilia). However, the conclusions were not valid.

Question 15

Some psychologists suggest that characteristics like homosexuality are ‘_________’ __________ that cannot be greatly modified by conditioning. It is also possible that __________ are involved in human sexual attraction - feelings like ‘love’ for example - so it is not just a matter of conditioning people not to ______ in a particular way; you need to take into account how they ____.

Answer 15

Some psychologists suggest that characteristics like homosexuality are ‘ESSENTIAL’ BEHAVIOURS that cannot be greatly modified by conditioning. It is also possible that COGNITIONS are involved in human sexual attraction - feelings like ‘love’ for example - so it is not just a matter of conditioning people not to BEHAVE in a particular way; you need to take into account how they FEEL.

Question 16

If they agree to it, an alcoholic may be treated with a drug called ________ which reacts with alcohol in the blood stream; the drug causes the drinker to feel violent nausea.

Answer 16

If they agree to it, an alcoholic may be treated with a drug called ANTABUSE which reacts with alcohol in the blood stream; the drug causes the drinker to feel violent nausea.

Question 17

The famous footballer ______ ____ was treated with Antabuse - _____. However, he persevered with his drinking and forced himself to ignore the nausea.

Answer 17

The famous footballer GEORGE BEST was treated with Antabuse - TWICE. However, he persevered with his drinking and forced himself to ignore the nausea.

Question 18

Aversion therapy today tends to use aversive imagery rather than drugs or electric shocks. This is known as ______ _____________ and a study by _____ _ _____ (____) found aversive imagery to be effective in curing addictions, including a nail biter, a cannabis smoker, an over-eater, a cigarette smoker, a chocoholic and an alcoholic.

Answer 18

Aversion therapy today tends to use aversive imagery rather than drugs or electric shocks. This is known as COVERT SENSITISATION and a study by KRAFT & KRAFT (2005) found aversive imagery to be effective in curing addictions, including a nail biter, a cannabis smoker, an over-eater, a cigarette smoker, a chocoholic and an alcoholic.

Question 19

A ______ is an irrational fear that might be learned when a NS (say, a spider) is paired with a UCS that is naturally frightening, like a thunderstorm.

Answer 19

A PHOBIA is an irrational fear that might be learned when a NS (say, a spider) is paired with a UCS that is naturally frightening, like a thunderstorm.

Question 20

________ ______________ means that the CR is extended to ___ spiders, not just the one you saw in your room when the thunderstorm woke you.

Answer 20

STIMULUS GENERALISATION means that the CR is extended to ALL spiders, not just the one you saw in your room when the thunderstorm woke you.

Question 21

__________ _______________ involves introducing the phobia-sufferer to the thing they fear, but at a safe distance - first a drawing of one at a distance, then a drawing that in held in the hand, then a photo, then a film clip, then the real thing. These stages are in a “_________” that the sufferer themselves draws up.

Answer 21

SYSTEMATIC DESENSITISATION involves introducing the phobia-sufferer to the thing they fear, but at a safe distance - first a drawing of one at a distance, then a drawing that in held in the hand, then a photo, then a film clip, then the real thing. These stages are in a “HIERARCHY” that the sufferer themselves draws up.

Question 22

At each stage the sufferer learns to associate the spider with a harmless, relaxed experience. This is ___________________, because the relaxation cancels out the anxiety the phobia produces.

Answer 22

At each stage the sufferer learns to associate the spider with a harmless, relaxed experience. This is COUNTERCONDITIONING, because the relaxation cancels out the anxiety the phobia produces.

Question 23

There’s a lot of research in support of Classical Conditioning, including the studies by ______ (____) and ______ _ ______ (____). Moreover, a lot of this research is strictly __________, being carried out on _______ __ ___ __________ or using brain imaging techniques like MRI.

Answer 23

There’s a lot of research in support of Classical Conditioning, including the studies by PAVLOV (1927) and WATSON & RAYNER (1920). Moreover, a lot of this research is strictly SCIENTIFIC, being carried out on ANIMALS IN LAB CONDITIONS or using brain imaging techniques like MRI.

Question 24

Because the theory only looks at __________ (rather than cognitions), every step in the conditioning process is __________. This adds to the ___________ of the theory, since you can see it happen with your own eyes.

Answer 24

Because the theory only looks at BEHAVIOURS (rather than cognitions), every step in the conditioning process is OBSERVABLE. This adds to the CREDIBILITY of the theory, since you can see it happen with your own eyes.

Question 25

Although ________ __ ____ ___ _____ _______ shows conditioning taking place, ____________ the conclusions to human learning is not so clear-cut. For one thing, there are other learning theories - _______ ____________ and _____ ________ ______ - and it is usually difficult to tell whether one or the other is largely responsible when something is learned.

Answer 25

Although RESEARCH ON DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS shows conditioning taking place, GENERALISING the conclusions to human learning is not so clear-cut. For one thing, there are other learning theories - OPERANT CONDITIONING and SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY - and it is usually difficult to tell whether one or the other is largely responsible when something is learned.

Question 26

The theory focuses entirely on the nurture side of the ______/_______ ______. It is possible some people are born with _______________ towards behaviours, rather than learning them through conditioning.

Answer 26

The theory focuses entirely on the nurture side of the NATURE/NURTURE DEBATE. It is possible some people are born with PREDISPOSITIONS towards behaviours, rather than learning them through conditioning.

Question 27

The theory also focuses entirely on behaviours and ignores __________. _______ _____ argued that a lot of self-destructive behaviour comes from hidden thought-processes in the ___________ ____ and are not learned and cannot be un-learned so easily.

Answer 27

The theory also focuses entirely on behaviours and ignores COGNITIONS. SIGMUND FREUD argued that a lot of self-destructive behaviour comes from hidden thought-processes in the UNCONSCIOUS MIND and are not learned and cannot be un-learned so easily.

Question 28

Classical Conditioning has many similarities with _______ ____________. Both were based on ___ _______ ____ __ _______ - dogs for ______, rats for _______. Both then __________ the conclusions about learning to human beings. Both of them have produced effective treatments for problem behaviours - ________ _______ and __________ _______________ for Classical Conditioning, _____ _______ __________ for Operant Conditioning.

Answer 28

Classical Conditioning has many similarities with OPERANT CONDITIONING. Both were based on LAB STUDIES DONE ON ANIMALS - dogs for PAVLOV, rats for SKINNER. Both then GENERALISE the conclusions about learning to human beings. Both of them have produced effective treatments for problem behaviours - AVERSION THERAPY and SYSTEMATIC DESENSITISATION for Classical Conditioning, TOKEN ECONOMY PROGRAMMES for Operant Conditioning.

Question 29

Classical Conditioning explains the acquisition of ___________ __________, things that are “knee jerk reactions”.

Answer 29

Classical Conditioning explains the acquisition of INVOLUNTARY BEHAVIOURS, things that are “knee jerk reactions”.

Question 30

_____ ________ ______ is quite different from Classical Conditioning. For one thing, it includes __________ as well as behaviours. SLT looks at how we draw conclusions from seeing ____ ______ in action (“If they did that and got away with it, I can too!”) so there’s a big role played by thought-processes.

Answer 30

SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY is quite different from Classical Conditioning. For one thing, it includes COGNITIONS as well as behaviours. SLT looks at how we draw conclusions from seeing ROLE MODELS in action (“If they did that and got away with it, I can too!”) so there’s a big role played by thought-processes.