Learning theories Flashcards
what is classical conditioning
the simplest form of associative learning – learning that takes place when we associate two stimuli with one another
what are the three phases of classical conditioning
- before conditioning
- during conditioning
- after conditioning
what is before conditioning
UCS triggers a reflex response such as salivation, anxiety or sexual arousal
this is the unconditioned response
the unrelated NS doesn’t produce this response
what is during conditioning
the UCS and NS are experienced contiguously
called pairing
effect of pairing is greatest when the NS occurs just before the UCS
usually pairing has to take place many times for conditioning to occur
what is after conditioning
following pairing, the NS produces the same response as the UCS
NS is now a conditioned stimulus (CS)
response to CS is called a conditioned response (CR)
what is extinction
when a CS is experienced without the UCS over a period of times
the CR is estinguished
the extinction of responses has survival value cause it means that our learning is flexible
spontaneous recovery
sometimes extinct responses reappear even without new pairings with the UCS
this is spontaneous recovery
stimulus generalisation
sometimes we become conditioned to respond to one stimulus but we find ourselves exhibiting the same response to other similar stimuli
called stimulus generalisation
strength of classical conditioning
supported by research
- pavlov’s study on classically conditioning dogs
- watson and rayner conditioned a fear response in a baby
competing argument
- some pavlov’s details of classical conditioning are open to question
- e.g. pavlov believed that the essential factor linking NS to UCS was contiguity
- but Rescorla (1968) found evidence that contiguity is less important than contingency
weakness of classical conditioning
incomplete explanation of learning
- it can only explain how a limited range of behaviours can be acquired
- explains simple reflex responses
- can’t account for more complex chains of learned behaviour
- only a partial explanation
application of classical conditioning
therapeutic applications like systemic desensitisation and flooding
- aversion therapy is based on classical conditioning, treating unwanted behaviour
- e.g. shocking when seeing a child’s photograph to stop the unwanted behaviour of experiencing sexual arousal to a photograph of a young child
what is operant conditioning
results in a link forming between a behaviour and event
the behaviour is an act the individual produces
the event is the consequence of that behaviour
consequence may lead to an increase or decrease in the probability of the behaviour being repeated
what did Skinner’s box do?
Skinner (1948)
used a supply of food pellets as reinforcers
food was released when animals learned something (e.g. operate a lever)
some boxes contained electrified floors to punish behaviour
skinner could train animals to learn target behaviours
what is positive reinforcement
takes place when something pleasant is introduced following a behaviour
this might be something tangible like food or money, or something less tangible but also nice, like a smile or a praise
what is negative reinforcement
takes place when something unpleasant (like pain) is removed following a behaviour
what is primary reinforcement
biological significance – food, drink, shelter, sex, etc.
what is secondary reinforcement
rewards associated with primary reinforcers – money, job status
what is positive punishment
when something unpleasant or aversive is introduced following a behaviour
e.g. being slapped for being naughty
what is negative punishment
when something nice is removed
e.g. being fined or grounded
applications of punishment
criminal justice system – negative punishment
some societies would flog (e.g. whip) people – positive punishment
naturally occurring punishment – when we touch hot water we get burnt, the pain is like a punisher
strength of operant conditioning
research evidence support
skinner and others demonstrated lab experiments on operant conditioning on animals
consistent findings in regards to the ability to modify behaviour using reinforcement and punishment
modern brain studies revealed brain systems that relate to reinforcement
shows that there is firm evidence to support operant conditioning
weakness of operant conditioning
an incomplete explanation of learning
can only explain how existing behaviours are strengthened or weakened, not how it originates,
incomplete as an explanation of the acquisition of a new behaviour
shows that operant conditioning is only a partial explanation for learning of behaviour.
application of operant conditioning to education and childcare
operant conditioning has a lot of practical applications
e.g. in education and childcare
systems of reinforcement are used a lot
like giving a child a star for good work encourages them to repeat their good work
shows that operant conditioning is of use in real world
