Learning - Behaviourist Perspective Flashcards
Object of knowledge/Methods/Data Collected?
Used comparative approach to study observable behaviour in relation to learning, on animals (rats, pigeons) to then extrapolate to human learning. Research was empirical based by using experiments. Data collected was types of behaviour as a response to controlled events.
Key Names
Watson - key theorist in the development of Behaviourism due to the prevailing interest in psychology at the time as being internal and not scientific enough
Ivan Pavlov - known for classical conditioning (also known as Pavlovian conditioning.
B.F. Skinner - known for operant conditioning (version of instrumental conditioning in which the result depends upon the animal’s behaviour)
Tolman - offered a different viewpoint of learning behaviour in that his used comparative methods to infer that animals use deduction to learn (were able to deduct where food was - not S-R)
Key Studies - Classical Conditioning
Pavlov created a contingency by pairing an initially neutral stimulus NS (e.g. bell) with a unconditional stimulus UCS such as food; once the animal associates the bell with food the bell is considered a conditional stimulus CS and therefore creates a conditional reflex CR of salivation in the animal.
Watson elaborated on this by experimenting on an infant (Little Albert) in which he conditioned the boy to fear a rat as it was associated with a loud noise. ETHICAL issues.
Classical conditioning could be seen as a way of adapting to the environment; aiding to respond in appropriate ways. It also highlights that learning in certain environments will create different contexts of learning; did the animal develop a stimulus-response association or did the dog learn something about the world? Further it could be considered that the dog learned expectancy when hearing the bell/can opener.
Applied - used to treat those with phobias to desensitise against feared object.
Key Studies - Operant Conditioning
B.F. Skinner - Operant conditioning is a variation of instrumental conditioning in which the outcome is dependant upon an animal’s behaviour within a highly controlled environment (Skinner box). Animal receives pellets due to lever pressing and pressing increases - food considered a positive reinforcement. The experimenter shapes behaviour in the reinforcement of successive approximations of desired behaviour. Negative reinforcement is terminated by animal’s behaviour. Discrimination happens when light colours are associated with food intimating that learning is context dependent.
Highly controlled experimental method lead to - Law of effect; responses having favourable consequences will be learned.
Implications - Can be used for behaviour modification though Skinner did not endorse punishment; favoured positive reinforcement
Criticism of Skinner - views humans as glorified banks of responses to be selected by environment and is scientifically in accurate.
In relation to course themes?
Classical conditioning suggests that learned behaviour is based on context of environment.
Comparative approach considers rats and dogs in relation to humans and seeks to extrapolate results to humans as considers similar rather than different.
Emphasises universal principals of learning; but animals learn things and do differently. Could suggest a bias in favour of certain types of learning.
How do the perspectives interact; Complimentary, Co-existing or conflicting?
Co-existent - However behaviourism does not factor in the conscious aspect of learning. It looks at how learning happens and what is learned and is used to explain behaviour.
Applications?
In the form of behaviour modification through positive or negative reinforcement (not punishment).
Classical conditioning offers aid in desensitising phobias.
