Introduction to the Science of Behaviour Flashcards
Definition of the biopsychosocial model
How biology, psychology and social factors influence how we maintain health, prevent and manage illness
Definition of the Dual Pathway Model
2 broad ways in which psychological processes may influence physical health
Definition of an unconditioned stimulus
Environmental stimulus that promotes an innate response
Definition of an unconditioned response
An innate response
Definition of a conditioned stimulus
A stimulus that is initially presented simultaneously with the unconditioned stimulus to subsequently provoke an innate response when presented alone
Definition of a conditioned response
Innate response activated by a conditioned stimulus
Definition of habituation
When the conditioned stimuli continuously presented without the unconditioned stimulus
Leads to a loss of conditioned response
Definition of flooding
Exposure to feared stimulus => provokes response
Patient has to use relaxation techniques to calm themselves down and lose their response to the feared stimulus
Definition of systematic desensitisation
Gradually increase the intensity of the feared stimulus
Aims to lose fear towards stimulus
Definition of operant conditioning
Behaviours acquired through the learning process of reinforcement and punishment
Definition of Social Learning Modelling
Behaviours learnt by observing significant others carry them out
Describe the biopsychosocial model
How does it link to behavioural medicine
Bio
- virus
- bacteria
Psycho
- behaviour
- beliefs
- stress
- pain
Social
- class
- employment
- ethinicity
Studies factors that influence how we
- maintain health
- prevent illness
- manage illness
What is the link between psychology and health
Describe the Dual Pathway Model
2 broad ways in which psychological processes may influence physical health
Psychological processes =psychoneuroimmunology=> physical health
Psychological processes => behaviour => physical health
Describe Pavlov’s dog experiment
- Before conditioning
- Conditioning
- After conditioning
Before conditioning (2 different responses)
- Food => salivation (unconditioned stimulus => unconditioned response)
- Whistle => no conditioned response (neutral stimulus => no conditioned response)
Conditioning
-Food + whistle => salivation (2 different stimuli => unconditioned response)
After conditioning
-Whistle => salivation (conditioned stimulus => conditioned response)
Describe habituation and spontaneous recovery in relation to classical conditioning
When conditioned stimuli continuously presented without the unconditioned stimulus => loss of conditioned response
Spontaneous recovery
-Conditioned response may spontaneously reoccur after habituation
Describe generalisation and discrimination i relation to classical conditioning
Conditioned response transfers to stimuli that are similar but distinct from original conditioned response
However, conditioned response will not transfer to stimuli that are distinct from the original conditioned stimulus
How would you use classical conditioning in physical symptoms (chemotherapy)
Chemotherapy => fatigue and nausea
Patients become conditioned to feel fatigued and nauseous before treatment
Chemotherapy paired with a drink
Fatigue and nausea now more associated with the drink than chemotherapy
What are the 2 ways of treating phobias using principles of classical conditioning
Describe both of them
Flooding
- exposure to feared stimulus => provokes original trauma
- patient has to use relaxation techniques to calm down, face their fear and lose the response
Systematic desensitisation
- gradually increase the intensity of the feared stimulus
- fear to stimulus lost
What is operant conditioning (Skinners rats)
What are the steps involved
Behaviours acquired through the learn process of reinforcement and punishment
Stimulus (rats in a box)
Behaviour (rat presses lever)
Consequences of the behaviour via +ve/-ve reinforcement (receives feedback on its actions
What are the 2 types of consequences that are possible in operant conditioning
Which consequence is more effective and why
Strengthening behaviour
+ve, adding something valuable/desirable
-ve, avoiding something unpleasant
Weakening behaviour
+ve, adding something unpleasant
-ve, removing something valued/desired
Reinforcement tells you what to do => more effective
Punishment only tells you what not to do
Why would you need to adapt operant conditioning for different people
Everyone responds differently to different stimuli
Everyone has different values and desires
How would time duration affect operant conditioning
Longer the duration of time between behaviour and consequence, the weaker the effect on behaviour
How does the size of reinforcement affect operant conditioning
If gain/potential loss deemed significant then behaviour is strengthened
What is the wrong way to decrease the frequency of a habitual behaviour via operant conditioning
If trying to decrease a habitual behaviour, then inconsistent reinforcement patterns make it more challenging to change
How would you use conditioning in clinical practice
Encourages adaptive behaviours in medication adherence by finding valued goals
Addictions
What is Social Learning Modelling
Describe this experiment
Behaviours acquired by observing significant others carry them out
Can learn phobic responses from significant others
- Child sees adult being rewarded for beating up a doll => child more likely to beat up doll
- Child sees adult being punished for beating up a doll => child less likely to beat up doll
- Child sees adult neither punished/rewarded for beating up doll => child neither more/less likely to beat up doll
In Social Learning Modelling, which intervention is more effective in learning?
What characteristics make it more likely for someone to copy the actions of a SO
More likely to copy if behaviour reinforced in SO
Characteristics of SO determine if behaviour is copied
More similar => more likely
4 Problems with social learning theories
- Learning theories only focus on innate responses to environmental stimuli
- Does not consider conscious processes
- Outcomes of behaviour are unpredictable, influenced by cognition
- Knowledge can also change behaviour
What are the 3 factors that affect behaviour
Capability
Motivation
Opportunity
