learning approaches: behaviourism

Question 1

Explain what classical conditioning is and use an example

Answer 1

Pavlov - 1927
classical conditioning is learning through association

dogs presented with food (UCS) and salivate (UCR))

dogs hear bell (NS) they don’t salivate (UCR)

after conditioning dogs hear bell (CS) = salivation (CR)

pavlovs dogs learned to associate and would salivate everytime they heard the bell

Question 2

what is the behaviourist approach

Answer 2

“learning theory”
- only studies behaviour that can be measured and observed
– behaviourists focus on how behaviour is learnt
- suggests that the basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species

Question 3

define TABULA RASA

Answer 3

• we are born as blank slates

(all we have at birth is the capacity to learn)

Question 4

what are the 2 forms of learning

Answer 4

classical conditioning
operant conditioning

Question 5

what is operant conditioning

Answer 5

research by Skinner in 1953 showed that people/animals learn from consequence these can be either positive/negative increase/decrease the likelihood of behaviour happening again

Question 6

define positive reinforcement

Answer 6

receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed

increases likelihood that behaviour will be repeated

Question 7

define negative reinforcement

Answer 7

when a person avoid something unpleasant

increases likelihood that behaviour will be repeated

Question 8

define punishment

Answer 8

an unpleasant consequence of a behaviour

decreases likelihood that behaviour will be repeated

Question 9

what are the 3 factors that can affect conditioning

Answer 9

extinction
spontaneous recovery
stimulus generalisation

Question 10

define extinction and give an example

Answer 10

Conditioned response doesn’t become permanently established as a response

(bell is rung and food never appears the salivation will stop)

Question 11

define spontaneous recovery

Answer 11

following extinction if the conditioned stimulus and Unconditioned stimulus are paired together the association will be made together much more quickly

Question 12

define stimulus generalisation

Answer 12

Pavlov discovered that once an animal has been conditioned they will also respond to other stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus

Question 13

explain Watson and Rayners research in 1920 on little albert

Answer 13

they demonstrated how a little boy could be taught to have a fear of white rats through classical conditioning

whenever little albert played with the rat a metal bar was struck behind his head. The loud bang (UCS) caused him to be scared (UCR) This caused him to be frightened (CR) of rats (NS)

Question 14

define operant conditioning

Answer 14

learning by consequences (positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment)

Question 15

define reinforcement

Answer 15

consequence of a behaviour that increases the likelihood of the behaviour happening again

Question 16

define punishment

Answer 16

consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour happening again

Question 17

define positive reinforcement

Answer 17

being given a reward
(e.g: rats get treats for pushing lever)

Question 18

define negative reinforcement

Answer 18

avoiding something so the outcome is positive so they will do it again
(e.g: rats push lever to stop electric shock)

BEHAVE A CERTAIN WAY TO AVOID SOMETHING NEGATIVE

Question 19

what are the 3 schedules of reinforcement

Answer 19

continuous reinforcement
(providing food for ever lever pressed)

partial reinforcement
(providing food for every 3rd lever pressed)

variable ratio reinforcement (food was given an unpredictable amount of times)

Question 20

evaluate behaviourism

Answer 20

WELL CONTROLLED RESEARCH
+ behaviourists focus on the measurement of observable behaviour within highly controlled lab settings
so all extraneous variables were removed

COUNTERPOINT
- oversimplified the learning process
by reducing behaviour to single components
WHEREAS THE SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY AND COGNITIVE APPORACH DRAW ATTENTION TO THE MENTAL PROCESSES INVOLVED IN LEARNING

REAL WORLD APPLICATION
+ principles of conditioning have been applied to real world behaviour
operant conditioning is the basis of token economy systems in prisons and psychiatric wards (tokens for privileges)

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM
- sees all behaviour as conditioned by past conditioning experiences therefore past conditioning history determines the outcome of our decisions
- free will has no influence on behaviour
- ignores conscious decision making’s impact on behaviour