Learning approach KC1: Classical conditioning Flashcards
classical conditioning
the process of learning through associations
stimulus
an event that causes a response
response
an action made because a stimulus is detected
innate
instinctive/inborn
conditioned
learned
unconditioned
not learned/ reflex
What 3 sentence starters should you use when describing the classical conditioning process
Before conditioning, During conditioning and After conditioning
Example of classical conditioning
Jill becomes very ill after eating an egg sandwich when she had a stomach bug. Now every time she smells egg, she feels sick.
Before conditioning-
egg smell (neutral stimulus) = no response
becoming ill (unconditioned stimulus) = feeling sick (unconditioned response)
During conditioning-
becoming ill (unconditioned stimulus) = egg smell (neutral stimulus) = feeling sick (unconditioned response)
After conditioning-
egg smell (conditioned stimulus) = feeling sick (conditioned response)
she has now learnt to associate the smell of egg with feeling sick.
2 strengths of classical conditioning
- There is research to support classical conditioning.
Pavlov rang a bell (NS) each time he presented the dogs with food (UCS). he found that the dogs learnt to associate the sound of the bell (CS) with food and salivated when they heard it (CR) even when no food was presented. this suggests that the behaviour was learnt via classical conditioning and so adds validity to the theory.
- Has practical application so is useful.
Watson developed an understanding of how phobias can be learnt. this led to the development of of systematic desensitisation. systematic desensitisation aims to remove the conditioned association between fear and the phobic situation/object and replace it with the feeling of relaxation. this is successful real world application so it adds validity to the theory.
what are the 6 phrases used to describe the classical conditioning process
Neutral stimulus
No response
Unconditioned stimulus
Unconditioned response
Conditioned stimulus
Conditioned response
what order do the 6 phrases go in which are used to describe the classical conditioning process
Before conditioning:
neutral stimulus = no response
unconditioned stimulus = unconditioned response
During conditioning:
unconditioned stimulus = neutral stimulus = unconditioned response
After conditioning:
conditioned stimulus = conditioned response
1 limitation of classical conditioning
- classical conditioning is an incomplete explanation of behaviour.
it can explain how some phobias are acquired but it cant explain how phobias are maintained after time. in addition, it can’t fully explain behaviours like depression. this suggests that other factors must be involved, such as biological factors which behaviourism does not consider.
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
any stimulus that produces a response without learning taking place.
unconditioned response (UCR)
an unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus.
neutral stimulus (NS)
any stimulus that does not produce the desired response. when paired with the unconditioned stimulus, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus.
