Learning Theories Flashcards
What is learning theory
It’s a set of ideas from the behaviourist approach. it argues that all behaviour is learnt through operant and classic conditioning.
What is classical conditioning
it means learning, in terms of attachment, this is sometimes called ‘cupboard love’ approach because it suggests that children learn to love whoever feeds them.
Who investigated classical conditioning, and what was his study
Pavlov, classical conditioning on dogs
Explain the first part Pavlov’s study for classical conditioning
dogs were present with a neutral stimulus (a bell) and they had no conditioned response.
Explain the second part of Pavlov’s study for classical conditioning
The dogs was then presented with an unconditioned stimulus (food) and he has an unconditioned response (salivating)
Explain the third part of Pavlov’s study for classical conditioning
the dog was then presented with the food and bell at the same time, this is called conditioning and eventually the dog would salivate to the sound of the bell and the food
Explain the final part of Pavlov’s study for classical conditioning
the bell then became a conditioned stimulus and the dog would salivate (conditioned response) to the bell
What is the primary drive in humans
Hunger
What is the secondary drive in humans.
Attachment
Who investigated operant conditioning
Skinner
Outline skinners experiment on the rats
He had rats in a cage with an electrified grid on the bottom. If the rat pushed the button for food when the light was red it would get shocked (punishment), if it was green then they would get food (positive reinforcement).
explain operant condition
It’s used to enforce specific behaviour with positive or negative reinforcement
Give an example for negative reinforcement
If a baby cries and then is fed, the mother is then being negatively reinforced as the baby stops crying, if she repeats this the baby could become overfed
