classical conditioning Flashcards
classical conditioning
paragraph 1 what is it + evidence (+)
Classical conditioning is based on the very simple principle that:
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) triggers a unconditioned response (UCR)
When the UCS is paired with a neutral stimulus (NS) [which would not normally trigger a specific response]
then the NS becomes associated with the UCR
and then the NS can cause the UCR without the UCS so the NS becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) and the USR becomes a Conditioned response (CR)
An example to support this is Watson and Rayner in 1920
as Little albert had a metal pole banged behind his ear which made a loud noise (UCS) which caused fear and crying (UCR)
when this was paired with the white rat (NS)
and the UCS was later removed
the White rat became a CS and the fear and crying became an CR
This study therefore supports the classical conditioning and it shows it is possible to do in a human baby boy
classical conditioning
bad research
Both Watson and rayner 1920 and Pavlov 1927 support classical conditioning however both of these studies are case studies as Pavlov uses a singular dog and Watson and Rayner use the singular nine month old baby little Albert therefore these results cannot be generalised to the whole population as pavlov’s dog is a dog and therefore hasn’t got a human brain which means that the study can’t be generalised to the whole population and little alberts is a nine month old child who therefore isn’t generalisable to the whole population as his results may be due to participant effects and indivisual differences which means that, that study can’t be generalised to the whole population either
This means that due to the sample and participants of studies used to support classical conditioning lacking generalisability this means that classical conditioning has bad research used to support it
classical conditioning
extinction
Extinction is when the association between the UCS and the NS weakens
Therefore eventually the CS stops producing the CR and therefore the CS becomes extinct and is transformed back into an NS
Classical conditioning
Spontaneous recovery
An extinct CR Returns after the CS happens again
this shows that the association between the NS and the UCS is not completely extinguished
classical conditioning
generalisation
When the NS is similar to the CS the NS will produce the same CR that the CS would produce
classical conditioning
Discrimination
When the NS is very different to the CS and therefore no CR is produced
classical conditioning
one-trial learning
when the NS and UCS are paird once creating a UCR
but are still associated so a CS and CR are still created
e.g traffic accident only happens once
but you still fear the road where it happend
classical conditioning
compare to operant conditioning
Operant conditioning states that learning is voluntary and can be done via reinforcement which can be done in many different ways such as: positive and negative reinforcement and positive and negative punishment
whereas classical conditioning which states that learning is involuntary, follows a much more reductionist, linear way of showing how behaviour is learnt via association of an object or behaviour with somthing else usualy another object or behaviour.
Due to this opponent conditioning is the better explanation on how we learn due to having a more complex and applicable explanation then classical conditioning, which is mainly focused on the learning of Fear compared to operant conditioning which is much more open to other behaviours such as compliance
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However classical conditioning is better than operating conditioning aspect conditioning cannot explain how irrational fears of formed as it claims that learning is solely voluntary while classical conditioning claims this is involuntary and irrational fears are also involuntary meaning the classical conditioning is much better operant conditioning and explaining why irrational fears are formed
classical conditioning
conclusion and application
In conclusion classical conditioning is very good at explaining how a phobia is learnt however it is limited when explaining other things as it can be hard to explain any form of over involuntary actions such as automatically doing your routines
aplication: the principle of classical conditioning has been used to develop therapies such as systematic desensitization to help cure phobias and addictions
classical conditioning
order
Evidence + what is it (watson and rayner 1920)
bad research ( 1ppts)
comparison to operant conditioning ( OC is better)
conclusion (its good for some involantary actions e.g phobias but not goid for others e.g automaticaly doing a routine)
aplication (principles used for treatment e.g Systematic desensitisation)
