Learning theories

Question 1

what is classical conditioning

Answer 1

the simplest form of associative learning – learning that takes place when we associate two stimuli with one another

Question 2

what are the three phases of classical conditioning

Answer 2

• before conditioning
• during conditioning
• after conditioning

Question 3

what is before conditioning

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what is during conditioning

Answer 4

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

Question 5

what is after conditioning

Answer 5

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)

Question 6

what is extinction

Answer 6

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

Question 7

spontaneous recovery

Answer 7

sometimes extinct responses reappear even without new pairings with the UCS
this is spontaneous recovery

Question 8

stimulus generalisation

Answer 8

sometimes we become conditioned to respond to one stimulus but we find ourselves exhibiting the same response to other similar stimuli
called stimulus generalisation

Question 9

strength of classical conditioning

Answer 9

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

Question 10

weakness of classical conditioning

Answer 10

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

Question 11

application of classical conditioning

Answer 11

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

Question 12

what is operant conditioning

Answer 12

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

Question 13

what did Skinner’s box do?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

what is positive reinforcement

Answer 14

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

Question 15

what is negative reinforcement

Answer 15

takes place when something unpleasant (like pain) is removed following a behaviour

Question 16

what is primary reinforcement

Answer 16

biological significance – food, drink, shelter, sex, etc.

Question 17

what is secondary reinforcement

Answer 17

rewards associated with primary reinforcers – money, job status

Question 18

what is positive punishment

Answer 18

when something unpleasant or aversive is introduced following a behaviour
e.g. being slapped for being naughty

Question 19

what is negative punishment

Answer 19

when something nice is removed

e.g. being fined or grounded

Question 20

applications of punishment

Answer 20

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

Question 21

strength of operant conditioning

Answer 21

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

Question 22

weakness of operant conditioning

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

application of operant conditioning to education and childcare

Answer 23

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