Learning Approach Flashcards
Main assumptions of learning approach
-tabula rasa (blank slate)
-processes of conditioning
-humans + animas learn in similar ways
2 main mechanisms in which behaviour is learned
-Classical conditioning(Pavlov)
-Operant conditioning(Skinner)
Classical conditioning definition
=learning through association, learning by a neutral stimulus is associated with and unconditioned stimulus
Conditioning definition
=a theory that the response to an object or event can be changed by learning
Unconditioned stimulus definition
=something we naturally have a response to
Unconditioned response definition
=the natural response to a stimulus
Neutral stimulus definition
=was a neutral stimulus but now has a conditioned response
Conditioned response definition
=previous response to a new stimulus
Classical conditioning - negative
-incomplete explanation of learning
-only explains limited behaviours (reflex)
-can’t explain how phobia is maintained over time
Classical conditioning -positive
- can be applied to treatment of phobias (desensitization) which is based on principles of classical conditioning to extinguish an undesired behaviour
Little Albert -negative
GENERALISABILITY
-study used 1 child- generalising to other children is problematic
-Watson’s conclusion was based on the assumption Albert was a normal boy
-sample: for a study that was not a case study it’s very rare to only have 1 participant
VALIDITY
-Watson may not be measuring what he claimed to
-Albert may have developed fear of his situation/researchers
ETHICS
-they technically had consent from the mother, she wasn’t fully aware what was going on
-potential trauma to child
Little Albert strength- reliability
-the study was filmed
-using the same noise each time
-being clear about the object being tested
-choosing a baby who was not fearful in the 1st place
-backed by animal studies- Pavlov
Operant conditioning definition
=the idea that learning occurs through reinforcement or punishment- learning through consequence
Strengths of learning approach
-focuses on the present- treats alcoholism, successful for mental health disorders
-findings supported through animal/human studies
Weaknesses of learning approach
-emphasis on nurture, nature is ignored + genetics not considered
-determinist approach, doesn’t account free will- people are controlled by external factors only
-more relevant to animals than humans, roots are in animal experiments humans may not act the same way
Strengths of operant conditioning
-scientific approach, evidence of success through lab findings
-successfully been applied to real life, supports teaching (token economy)
Weaknesses of operant conditioning
-lacks generalisability, can’t establish how humans learn through animal studies (higher cognitive abilities)
-ethics, rats were deliberately underfed and shocked- no consent
Social learning theory definition
=suggests that social behaviours are learned through the observation and imitation of other peoples actions
Imitation definition
=copying the behaviour of others, through identification
Modelling definition
=a process in which a person learns by observing and imitating another person
Observation definition
=actively attending to and watching the behaviour of others, requires remembering
Vicarious learning definition
=learner needs to be motivated to imitate behaviour, based on positive consequences, seeing another person’s actions being reinforced (learning from the experience of others)
What makes imitation more likely?
-seeing the observed behaviour being rewarded
-identifying with the role model
-having the confidence to reproduce the behaviour
Bandura (1961) bobo doll study aim
to investigate observational learning of aggression in children as well as to investigate gender differences when examining if behaviour would be imitated
Bandura (1961) bobo doll study conclusion
aggression in social behaviour can be imitated by children as they observe
-imitation is more likely when the model is the same sex as the observer, which supports the role of identification
Strength of social learning theory
-support for SLT comes from both animal + human studies,
-emphasises the importance of environment
-gives an adequate explanation as to how behaviours such as aggression are learnt
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association of two stimuli with each other
What happens before conditioning?
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS e.g. food) produces unconditioned response (UCR e.g. salvation), other stimuli are neutral (NS)
What happens during conditioning?
UCS + NS (e.g. bell) repeatedly paired, associate UCS + NS
What happens after conditioning?
NS now a conditioned stimulus (CS) produces response (CR) on its own, becoming CS
Evaluate classical conditioning.
Practical applications - Electric shock (UCS) given when reading gambling phrases (NS) producing discomfort (CR)
Research support - Little Albert conditioned to fear white rats (Watson and Rayner 1920)
Limited explanation of learning - Can’t explain complex learning e.g. phobias not maintained overtime through CC
What is reinforcement?
Increases probability of behavior repeating
Positive - pleasant consequence
Negative - remove unpleasant stimulus
What is punishment?
Reduces probability of behaviour repeating
Positive - unpleasant consequence
Negative - remove pleasant consequence
What is motivation?
Driven by rewards through operant conditioning
Extrinsic rewards - from environment (other people)
Intrinsic rewards - from yourself (e.g. interest, challenge) (drive to do something)
Evaluate operant conditioning.
Practical application - In education, extrinsic rewards for good work, intrinsic rewards encouraged to raise self-esteem
Research support - Animal and human lab studies show OC, also brain basis of reinforcement (Chase et al 2015)
Incomplete explanation of learning - Explains how phobias are maintained over time but not how acquired in first place
What is social learning theory?
Indirect learning: observation, vicarious learning and imitation (e.g. bobo doll study)
What is learning through observation?
Observer watches models behavior, retains in memory
Weakness of social learning theory
Alternative explanation - Phobia occurrence greater in identical twins that non-identical twins (Kendler et al 2001), SLT cannot explain role of genetics
