Learning theory

Question 1

Classical conditioning

Answer 1

Associating 2 stimuli together
unconditioned stimulus (food) -> unconditioned response (baby happy)
neutrul stimulus (mum) -> no response
unconditioned stimulus+ neutral stimulus -> unconditioned response
conditioned stimulus -> conditioned response

Question 2

Operant conditioning

Answer 2

Reinforcement = behaviour is more likely to be repeated
Punishment = behaviour less likely to be repeated

Question 3

Positive reinforcement

Answer 3

Something pleasant is given in response to behaviour e.g. baby cries, caregiver GIVES comfort, baby smiles

Question 4

Negative reinforcement

Answer 4

Something unpleasant is taken away in response to behaviour e.g. babies cry, caregiver gives comfort, crying stops

Question 5

Primary drive

Answer 5

Innate, biological motivator e.g. hunger
Motivate to eat to reduce hunger drive

Question 6

Secondary drive

Answer 6

Something that enables us to meet a need e.g. attachment
Motivated to attach to a caregiver to increase the ability to achieve basic needs

Question 7

Strength of learning theory

Answer 7

Watson + Rayner conducted ‘little albert experiment’ and found babies can be conditioned to be afraid of things that they weren’t afraid of before
Suggests babies can associate fear with certain things so can associate mothers figures with milk

Question 8

Limitation of learning theory

Answer 8

Counter evidence from Lorenz’s study - geese imprinted on first moving object regardless of whether it was associated with food
Other factors rather than association with two stimuli which are important for attachment formation