Learning Theories Flashcards
What is Classical Conditioning
Learning by association.
When neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus. The neutral sinuous eventually produces the same response as the unconditioned stimulus
Pavlov (1927)
Study conducted by Pavlov in order to test classical conditioning with salivation in dogs.
His aim was to learn about the salivation reflex, however he noted that salivation dogs occurred not only in response to food but to stimuli that typically occurred close in time to the preparation of food.
Operant conditioning
Learning that occurs when a behaviour is followed by an event, and the nature of this event increases or decreases the probability of the behaviour being repeated
Reinforcement - positive/ negative - primary/ secondary
Social Learning theory
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
Modeling
Observation and imitation
Vicarious reinforcement
Stages of social learning
Social Learning Theory: Bandura et al. (1961)
36 boys 36 girls
Aged 3-5 selected from the Stanford University nursery in California
Matched pairs design
Children were placed in three groups
- Aggression group: observed an aggressive adult model (male or female) punching, kicking and shouting at a large inflatable ‘Bobo’ doll
- Non-aggression group: Non-aggressive model assembling mechanical toys
- Control group: No model was present while the children were playing
Social Learning Theory: Bandura et al. (1963)
48 boys 48 girls
Independent group design
Aged 39-52 months
The children were randomly allocated to one of four conditions
1. Live aggression condition - Watched an adult aggress towards a Bobo doll
2. Filmed realistic aggression - watched the same behaviour displayed on screen
3. Cartoon aggression condition - Watched on TV a model dressed as a black cartoon cat perform the same aggressive behaviours towards a Bobo doll as in the other condition
4. Control group - Did not watch aggression
Social Learning Theory: Bandura et al. (1965)
33 boys 33 girls
Aged 42-71 months
Children were allocated in one of three conditions
1. Model-rewarded condition - children saw a second adult praise the model for their aggression and give them a drink and chocolate
2. Model-punished condition- second adult scolded the model and spanked them with a rolled up magazine
3. No-consequence condition - model was neither reinforced nor punished
Phobias: Learning Theory Explanations
The Two-process model
Acquisition of phobias by classical conditioning
Maintenance by operant conditions
Social learning of phobias
Phobias: Treatments based on learning theories
Systematic desensitisation (SD)
Flooding
Watson and Rayner (1920)
Little Albert: Conditioned emotional reactions
AIM - to demonstrate that simple emotional responses such as fear can be acquired through a process of classical conditioning
Before Conditioning Albert had no response to the NS being the white rat and had a fear response (UCR) when there was loud noise (UCS)
During conditioning the white rat (NS) is paired with loud noise (UCS) and there will be a fear response (UCR)
After conditioning the white rat (CS) will cause a fear response (CR) without a loud noise
Contemporary study: Becker et al. (2002)
Investigated social learning in the context of eating behaviour
Study was done in Fiji where British and American TV broadcasting was not present until 2 weeks before the study started
Sample was 63 ethnic Fijian girls with a mean age of 17 in 1995 and 65 ethnic Fijian girls with a mean age of 17 in 1998
Quantitative data was gathered through EAT-26 questionnaire with above 20 considered with eating disorder
Qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews
