Learning approaches

Question 1

What is they key assumption of social learning theory?

Answer 1

Behaviour is a product of experience.

Question 2

Explain classical conditioning.

Answer 2

• behaviour (S)
• natural response (R)
• other stimuli being associated with this enables a the triggering of the same response.

Question 3

Explain operant conditioning.

Answer 3

• Operants learn through consequence.
• Positive reinforcement, positive consequences.
• Negative reinforcement, avoidance of negative consequences.
• Punishment.

Question 4

Outline Ivan Pavlov’s research.

Answer 4

• Investigation of saliva in dogs.
• Food (UCS)
• Saliva (UCR)
• Ring of a bell (NS)
• Salivation when hearing bell with food (CR).
• Salivation when hearing bell, without food (CS)

Question 5

Outline Skinner’s research.

Answer 5

• Skinner box contained levers that could administer reinforcements to the anmals.
• Rats and Pigeons.
• When pressed by the animal, it either received a shock or food.
• Learnt which one to press to avoid negative reinforcements.

Question 6

What is social learning theory?

Answer 6

• Proposes that to aquire information, we only need it to be modelled by another person.
• Imitation of the model leads to the person being able to retain the behaviour as a mental representation for future outcomes.
• Mediational processes, if the outcome is likely to be positive then the behaviour will be reproduced, leading to vicarious reinforcement.
• Identification leads the person to agree with the models behaviour.

Question 7

Outline Bandura’s research.

Answer 7

• Independent groups research.
• half the children exposed to non-aggressive model, other exposed to aggressive.
• Aggressive one hit the doll and said novel comments whilst doing so.
• Those who experienced the aggressive model, tended to physically and verbally abuse the doll.
• The others didn’t make any comment or show violence.

Question 8

Give strengths of social learning theory.

Answer 8

• validity and explanatory value.

- applications, health campaigns.

Question 9

Give limitations to social learning theory.

Answer 9

• Problem with causality, cannot be sure if the behaviour results from the experiment or family background.
• SLT may lack complexity, aggression if associated with low levels of serotonin or high levels of dopamine.

Question 10

Give strengths of classical and operant conditioning.

Answer 10

• use of empirical methods, both methods rely on the experimental method.
• Application, CC has lead to the development of therapies to reduce anxiety.

Question 11

Give the limitations of classical and operant conditioning.

Answer 11

• Use of animals in research may not have consistent applications.
• Limited perspective on behaviour.