Learning Approach 1- Behaviourist Flashcards
What are the assumptions of the learning approach?
All behaviour is LEARNED
Can be understood by conditioning (behaviourist approach) and modelling (social learning theory)
Learned can be unlearned using same principles
Same laws apply to human and non human
Behaviourists only focus on observable behaviour not in the mind
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association (stimulus-response) -Pavlov
What is operant conditioning?
Learning through reinforcement (reward-positive/negative) and punishment -Skinner
What is reinforcement?
A consequence of behaviour which increases likelihood of behaviour being repeated
How does classical conditioning work?
All humans/animals born with natural reflexes e.g. salivation caused by food
Reflexes = stimulus+response
When other stimuli consistently associated, can begin to trigger same response
What are the 4 stages of Pavlov’s dog study?
- UCS - UCR
- NS - NCR
- UCS + NS - UCR
- CS - CR
What are Pavlov’s additional findings?
Stimulus generalisation- once something has been conditioned, they will also respond to other similar stimuli to the CS.
Timing- if time between NS and UCS is too great and can’t be used to predict UCS, conditioning won’t occur.
Apply the classical conditioning process to the ‘Little Albert’ study
- loud noise UCS - fear UCR
- rat NS - no fear NCR
- loud noise UCS + rat NS - fear UCR
- Rat CS - fear CR
Explain the little Albert study
11 month old boy
Tested his response to fluffy objects including a rat, cotton wool, bunny etc
No fear response.
Created a conditioned response to previously neutral objects
Albert reaching to touch rat- metal bar struck with hammer.
Repeated 3x and then a week later
Albert was then scared when he saw rat and other fluffy objects
What are the components of operant conditioning?
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment
What is positive reinforcement?
Behaviour results in a pleasant response, so more likely to be repeated
What is negative reinforcement?
Behaviour results in removal of an unpleasant consequence, more likely to be repeated
What is punishment?
Behaviour results in a negative consequence, behaviour unlikely to be repeated
Explain skinners box
Created a box to examine operant conditioning in rats
when rat accidentally activated the lever of food pellet dropped and the rats quickly learned that pressing lever gave food so repeated
skinner repeated this where rats received an electric shock until they press lever, accidentally to begin with
rats quickly learned that pressing the lever would stop electric shock so repeated behaviour
What is reliability?
Consistency in findings
What is validity?
Accuracy findings/theory
What is internal validity?
Sufficient evidence to suggest accuracy
What is external validity?
Generalisable to real life
Evaluate the behaviourist approach
Strength: Real life application- principles of behaviourism can be applied to real world. Eg CC in addiction, OC in parenting and schools. High internal
Strength: focused on observable behaviour in a highly controlled lab environment, cause and effect can be established. Eg Skinners box. High internal
Weakness: ignores free will, suggests all behaviour is determined by our environment. Extreme, ignores the conscious decision making approach suggested by cognitive approach. Low
Evaluate the behaviourist approach acronym
+ RLA
+ OBLE
X D
