Learning approach Flashcards
Learning approach also known as…
Behavioural approach
Classical conditioning
is an association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus to produce a response
The behaviourist approach took the view that behaviours are…
learnt - animals and humans learn in same way so can experiment on animals, as their environment can be controlled
Pavlovs experiment
Before: US — UCR
NS —NCR
During: NS + US —UR
After: CS — CR
Watsons (1920) Little Albert
Little Albert frightened by loud noises - made him cry.
Watson conditioned Little Albert to be…
afraid of his pet rat by pairing it what a loud noise.
Hit a hammer each time albert went to touch the rat.
After conditioning - cry everytime he saw it
Fear transferred onto other furry objects
Operant conditioning
is learning through consequences such as rewards and punishments
Positive reinforcement
increases the likelihood of behaviour being repeated - occurs when behaviour leads to the provision of a reward.
Negative reinforcement
increases likelihood of behaviour being repeated - occurs when behaviour switches off an unpleasant stimulus.
Punishment
reduces likelihood of behaviour being repeated - occurs when behaviour leads to unpleasant behaviour.
Skinner (1953)
Skinner box - rat placed in box, watched it explore the environment. Would accidentally press the leaver and receive a reward E.g. cheese
As the rat learned the connection between an action and reward…
frequency of the leaver pressing would increase.
Reward - positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement (skinner)
Skinner also experimented with unpleasant stimuli e.g. loud noises that would be switched off once leaver was pressed - increased frequency
Punishment (skinner)
through use of electric shock after lever pressed - reduced likelihood of behaviour being repeated
Rat could also…
unlearn behaviour
