Classical Conditioning Flashcards
1
Q
What is classical conditioning of learning ?
A
- learning by association
- natural reflexes are paired with neutral stimuli
E.g. blinking respond to strong light
2
Q
Types of pairing of NS and UCS
A
- forward conditioning = delayed, trace
- spontaneous conditioning
- backward conditioning
3
Q
What is forward conditioning ?
A
- NS e.g. buzzer is presented before the UCS e.g. food
- work the most effective
4
Q
2 types of forward conditioning
A
- delayed = where NS keeps going while the UCS introduced e.g. metronome keeps ringing when food introduced
- trace = where NS- buzzer starts and ends before UCS- food present
5
Q
What is spontaneous conditioning
A
- simultaneous presentation of NS and UCS
6
Q
What is backward conditioning
A
- when UCS -food present first then NS - buzzer appears
7
Q
Aim of Pavlov study
A
- to investigate the reflex response of salivation
- to see if associating a reflex with a neutral stimulus causes learning to take place, produce a conditioned reflex
8
Q
AO1 procedure of Pavlov study
A
- uses 35 dogs of various breed, conducted 25 years over of 23 studies
- dogs being put in a special sealed artificial room to control all extraneous variables e.g. kept away from other dogs and humans and sound
- glass tubes attached to dogs mouth to collect saliva produced
- control condition = put meat in dogs mouth to test salivation reflex
-experimental condition= present buzzer (NS) with food (UCS) and measure amount of saliva produced (UCR), repeated a few times before starting to present metronome without food
9
Q
AO1 findings of Pavlov
A
- 1-2 seconds starts secretion = automatic reflex
- control condition= secretion after 5s and 6 drops saliva collected after 15s
- experimental condition = salivation started after 9s, 11 drops collected by 45s
- after 20x pairing, conditioning taken lace where dogs lick lips + salivate wen metronome present without the food
10
Q
AO1 conclusion of Pavlov
A
- dogs can learn by association
-can be conditioned to salivate (UCR) to a metronome(NS) after repeatedly paired with meat (UCS) to produce a conditioned stimulus (metronome) and response (salivation)
11
Q
Pros of Pavlov study
A
- population validity
- standardised procedure
- practical application to society
- high internal validity
- cost benefit analysis
12
Q
Cons of Pavlov study
A
- made assumptions to explain the behaviour he observed
- anthropomorphic
- lacks ecological validity
- lacks mundane realism
- breached care over caging and social environment
- breached avoiding discomforts and stress
13
Q
How did Pavlov made assumptions about the behaviour he observed ?
A
- he as unable to measure brain activity directly, so he had to assume what was happening in the cerebral cortex and thought that conditioning created a pathway that led from the UCS to UCR and from CS to CR
- T/f, this is not objective and scientific to enable theory to be widely generalised to population
- however, the time when Pavlov was experimenting, brain scanning machines had not been invented. The invention of MRI scans aided our understanding about the exact mechanism in learning
14
Q
How is Pavlov study positive application to society ?
A
- the discovery of classical conditioning demonstrated learned association between stimuli and response. His work laid the foundation of behaviourism, influencing therapeutic techniques e.g. lead to systematic desensitisation and exposure therapy to treat phobias and PTSD
- T/f, his study improves our understanding of learning and memory processes that can lead to further treatments introduced to treat more psychological disorders
15
Q
Aim of Watson and rayner study (3)
A
- to demonstrate that classical conditioning could be used to create an irrational fear in humans
- to show that fear could be transferred to other animals and objects
- to investigate the effect of time on conditioned response
16
Q
Procedure of W&R study
A
- baby boy little Albert was chosen from Johns Hopkins hospital
- IV is different stimulus, DV is fear response
- 9 months = fear test done to ensure he did not have any fear to white rat but a fear to noise caused by banging hammer on steel bar
- 11months old = banging noise when he was playing with he white rat
- 12 days after = other white furry stimulus introduced e.g. white rabbit, furry coat, cotton wool
- 17days after begun = tested different stimuli in other settings e.g. lecture theatre and a dark room
- 1 month 18 days after begun= stimuli variations present again to see if reaction persist over time
17
Q
Findings of W&R study
A
- at 5th trial = little Albert showed distinct fear to the rat e.g. whimpered and leaned away
- 12 days after begun= stimulus generalisation created = fear to other white furry objects
- 17 days after begun = fear to white rat strengthened= Same reaction in different settings
- 1 month 18 days later= negative fear reaction still displayed to white furry stimuli
18
Q
Conclusion of W&R study
A
- a conditioned response can occur in humans after only few pairings of stimuli but must be repeated
- the conditioned response can be transferred to other similar objects in different settings and persist over time
19
Q
Cons of W&R study
A
- lack population validity
- lack ecological validity
- protection from harm
20
Q
Pros of W&R study
A
- practical application to society
- high internal validity
- confidentiality
21
Q
AO3 Pros of classical conditioning
A
- supporting evidence e.g. W&R study / Pavlov’s dog
- practical application
22
Q
AO3 Cons of classical conditioning
A
- Criticism of methodology of supporting evidence
- theory is reductionist - only consider role of nurture with learning association, ignores biological influences
23
Q
What is extinction ? AO1
A
- a gradual disappearance of a learnt behaviour
- when CS present with our UCS = CR stops
E.g. when Pavlov dog stopped salivating when metronome rang as no longer associate with food
24
Q
What is spontaneous recovery ? AO1
A
- the re- appearance of previous extinguished CR after a period of time without exposure to CS
- dog no longer salivate but after a while when exposed to metronome sound again, salivation occurs again
25
What is stimulus generalisation ? AO1
- respond to stimulus that is similar to original CS
E.g. door bell rang similar sound as metronome, dog would still salivate (CR)
26
What is stimulus discrimination ? AO1
- when distinguishing between different stimuli and only respond to specific stimuli that behaviour is conditioned with to produce specific response
E.g. dog only salivate when hearing metronome but not other similar buzzer sound
27
What is stimulus discrimination ? AO1
- when distinguishing between different stimuli and only respond to specific stimuli that behaviour is conditioned with to produce specific response
E.g. dog only salivate when hearing metronome but not other similar buzzer sound
