classical conditioning Flashcards

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1
Q

how do people learn through classical conditioning?

A

via association

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2
Q

define ‘unconditioned stimulus’

A

stimuli which naturally elicits a response

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3
Q

define ‘unconditioned response’

A

the natural response to an unconditioned stimulus

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4
Q

define ‘neutral stimulus’

A

a stimulus which does not naturally elicit a response

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5
Q

define ‘conditioned stimulus’

A

a neutral stimulus that, when paired with an unconditioned stimulus elicits the same response

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6
Q

define ‘conditioned response’

A

a response that is learned by pairing the originally neutral stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus

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7
Q

state the 5 concepts of classical conditioning

A
  • generalisation
  • discrimination
  • extinction
  • spontaneous recovery
  • one trial learning
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8
Q

describe ‘generalisation’

A

extension of the association from the original stimulus to similar stimuli

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9
Q

describe ‘discrimination’

A

the conditioned response is only produced by the original stimulus and not similar stimuli

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10
Q

describe ‘extinction’

A

the conditioned response gradually dying out after the conditioned and unconditioned stimulus are not presented together for a period of time

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11
Q

describe ‘spontaneous recovery’

A

a previously extinguished conditioned response reappears

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12
Q

describe ‘one trial learning’

A

learning takes place in a single pairing of a response and stimulus, and is not strengthened over time by repeated exposure

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13
Q

what is a strength of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- supporting evidence pavlov

A

a strength of classical conditioning is the supporting evidence from pavlov’s study. dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sound of a metronome as this neutral stimulus was paired consistently with an unconditioned stimulus (food). 11 drops of saliva were collected when the metronome sounded without the food, after 45 seconds. therefore, this quantitative analysis suggests that learning through classical conditioning is a credible explanation of learning behaviours.

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14
Q

what is a weakness of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- pavlov criticism

A

a weakness of classical conditioning is that the supporting evidence from pavlov lacks generalisability. the research was done on dogs which have different cerebral cortexes to humans. the cerebral cortex plays a role in memory, problem solving and reasoning. therefore, these findings cannot accurately represent the way humans learn.

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15
Q

what is a strength of classical conditioning (PEECA)?
- supporting evidence watson and rayner

A

a strength of classical conditioning is that it is supported by the study of Watson and Rayner. they classically conditioned little Albert to develop a phobia of a white rat by introducing it at the same time as banging a metal bar. Albert associated the scary noise with the rat so began to cry at the sight of only the rat. The study also supports the idea of generalisation because similar stimuli such as a santa mask also produced the same conditioned response. therefore, this suggests that children can develop phobias through classical conditioning. however, the study lacks reliability. Albert was an unusual child who grew up in a hospital setting so whilst this also reduces the generalisability to other children, it also means it is unethical to easily replicate and check for consistency.

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16
Q

what is a strength of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- application

A

a strength of classical conditioning is that there are practical applications. for example, in Little Albert’s case study, it was found that phobias can be classically conditioned into a child. therefore, the feared stimuli could be associated with relaxation in order to reverse this. so, it is a useful theory in treating phobias.

17
Q

what is a weakness of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- criticism (reductionist)

A

a weakness of classical conditioning is that it is a reductionist explanation. this is because it oversimplifies the acquisition of behaviour. for example, there are other biological factors such as hormones (testosterone) or genetics which impact how we behave. therefore, it is an incomplete explanation of how we learn because it oversimplifies learning to association of a neutral and unconditioned stimulus and ignoring biological factors.

18
Q

what is an alternate theory for classical conditioning (PEE)?

A

an alternate theory to classical conditioning is operant conditioning. this is where learning takes place due to consequences and reinforcement or punishment. classical conditioning does not consider the effect of reward and punishment in the learning process which makes it an oversimplified explanation. therefore, operant conditioning might be a more detailed concept because it suggests that even if an association forms, the behaviour may only be learnt or continue if it is positively reinforced.