LEARNING THEORIES classical conditioning Flashcards
what is a reflex
an automatic response to a stimuli
explain the theory behind classical conditioning
learning through association - assumes learning is passive and is based on reflex behaviours that all humans and animals have
explain the diagram for classical conditioning
UCS ————- UCR
UCS + NS ————- UCR
CS ————— CR
what is the UCS
unconditional stimuli - something that naturally has the power to produce a response
what is the UCR
unconditional response - a natural response to an unconditional stimuli (not learnt)
what is the NS
neutral stimuli - has no potential to cause a reflex response before it is paired with the unconditional stimuli
what is the CS
conditioned stimuli - results from the pairing of the neutral stimuli with an unconditioned stimulus
what is the CR
conditioned response - the learned response to the conditioned stimuli
what are the 4 properties of classical conditioning
extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalisation, discrimination
explain how extinction occurs
when an association is no longer present
explain how spontaneous recovery occurs
after extinction when an association reappears without re-conditioning
how does generalisation occur
when a stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus produces a conditioned response
how does discrimination occur
when the conditioning is focused on a specific stimulus
positives of the theory
- supporting evidence from Pavlov - classical conditioning of salivation process in dogs when hearing a metronome - credibility
- scientific credibility - carried out in highly controlled lab experiments - looks at observable behaviours - not internal mental processes
- useful application - therapeutic - systematic desensitisation - phobias
negatives of the theory
- credibility - vast amount of knowledge has been obtained by using animals - generalising findings to humans is not possible
- nature vs nurture - fails to acknowledge that behaviour can be innate - reflex responses are present from birth - learning reduced to nurture
- reductionist - isolates a response to a stimulus - focuses on new behaviour - ignores mental processes and genes