Learning Approach

Question 1

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

Associating a previously neutral stimulus with an unconditional stimulus to create a conditioned response. It is learning by association,

Question 2

Who first discovered classical conditioning?

Answer 2

Ivan Pavlov

Question 3

How did Pavlov discover classical conditioning?

Answer 3

He realised that the dogs he was studying for digestion had associated the sound of his footsteps with food and so began to drool

Question 4

Is the Little Albert case study an example of classical or operant conditioning?

Answer 4

Classical

Question 5

Who studied little Albert?

Answer 5

Watson and Rayner

Question 6

If I keep you in supervised study until your grades go up, what is that an example of?

Answer 6

Negative reinforcement

Question 7

If I give you a negative for poor grades, what is that an example of?

Answer 7

Punishment

Question 8

If I give you a credit for good grades, what is that an example of?

Answer 8

Positive reinforcement

Question 9

Is reinforcement a feature of classical conditioning?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

Is reinforcement a feature of operant conditioning?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

Pavlov’s dogs also salivated to different sound bells, what does this show?

Answer 11

Generalisation

Question 12

Pavlov’s dogs sometimes stopped salivating when the bell was presented alone too many times. What were they demonstrating?

Answer 12

Extinction

Question 13

What are the main features of classical conditioning?

Answer 13

Spontaneous recovery
Extinction
Discrimination
Generalisation

Question 14

In terms of learning theory, discrimination means….

Answer 14

That the subject only responds to specific stimuli, eg bells that sound exactly the same as the ones chimed when food was presented

Question 15

Spontaneous recovery means

Answer 15

After a period of failing to respond to the conditioned stimulus, the subject eventually (and randomly) does so again, eg the dogs started drooling to just the bell again, even when no additional food was presented

Question 16

How did Little Albert show generalisation?

Answer 16

He was scared of other white fluffy things, including Santa!

Question 17

What is punishment?

Answer 17

The attempt to extinguish a behaviour

Question 18

What is Skinner’s Law of Effect?

Answer 18

It says - behaviour that has positive consequences will become “stamped in”

Question 19

What is the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment?

Answer 19

Punishment aims to stop a behaviour being performed, whilst negative reinforcement aims to increase its likelihood of performance

Question 20

Who studied rats in cages?

Answer 20

Skinner

Question 21

Who studied cats in boxes?

Answer 21

Thorndike

Question 22

What does tabula rasa mean?

Answer 22

Blank slate

Question 23

What is a main assumption of learning theories?

Answer 23

We are born tabula rasa and all behaviour is learnt, AND internal processes cannot be studies objectively so all that matters is behaviour

Question 24

What came before learning theories?

Answer 24

Psychodynamic approach

Question 25

Is learning theory approach and example of nature or nurture

Answer 25

Nurture

Question 26

How is learning theory reductionist?

Answer 26

Reduces everything down to behaviour. Denies the role of mental processes

Question 27

Is learning theory approach scientific?

Answer 27

Yes. That was the aim of its creation. The scientific study of behaviour. Uses NHa, controlled observation and experiments

Question 28

Is learning theory approach determinist?

Answer 28

Yes. Says learning (not programming) causes behaviour. We have no free will. Controlled by both associations and awareness of consequences through experience

Question 29

Was Freud part of the learning approach?

Answer 29

No

Question 30

Is methodology a strength of learning theory approach?

Answer 30

Yes, it’s scientific and psychology is a science.

Question 31

Name the features of science (mnemonic- the proof)

Answer 31

Theory construction
Hypothesis testing
Empiricism

Paradigm (shift)
Reliability/ replicability
Objectivity
Observability
Falsifiability

Question 32

Is it right to test of animals?

Answer 32

If you need to (if it advances public knowledge) then speciesism says yes. We should benefit our own species. But we must use as few animals as possible and get a Home Office licence. We should also consider how sentient they are (eg use rats instead of great apes)

Question 33

Why was the study on Little Albert unethical?

Answer 33

Lack of protection from psychological harm - exposed to greater risk than everyday life

Question 34

Little Albert study was unethical as he didn’t give informed consent. True or false?

Answer 34

False. He was under 16 so his guardian could consent

Question 35

John is scared of rats. He is a farmer. He says they are “freaky, horrible things” and that when he was young one jumped out on him in the farm yard. Explain his phobia.

Answer 35

John acquired his phobia through classical conditioning. This is when a neutral stimulus is associated with an unconditional stimulus to cause a conditioned response. John associates rats with being “made to jump.”

Question 36

Lucy was placed in detention for wearing her hair down in class. She now ties it back each lesson. What is this an example of?

Answer 36

Punishment

Question 37

Karlo was given a credit for answering a question in class. He now answers every question. What is this an example of?

Answer 37

Positive reinforcement

Question 38

Which is the most effective schedule of reinforcement?

Answer 38

Intermittent- as used by gambling machines

Question 39

When starting out on behaviour change, how often should the desired behaviour be reinforced?

Answer 39

Every time at first, and then gradually reduced

Question 40

Who taught pigeons to play ping pong by using schedules of reinforcement?

Answer 40

Skinner! Watch the you tube clip!