Learning Theory(Behaviouristic Approach)

Question 1

Is the learning theory(behaviouristic approach) nature or nurture?

Answer 1

Nurture as it is based on your growth from birth

Question 2

What is a common assumption about the Learning Theory?

Answer 2

All behaviour is learnt from the environment
It only concerns observable behaviour
Behaviour is a result of stimulus-response

Question 3

What are common methods used during the Learning Theory?

Answer 3

Using animals to asses behaviour then reflect on human behaviour
Manipulating the stimulus to see the behavioural response

Question 4

Is the Learning Theory free will or determinism?

Answer 4

Environmentally deterministic

Question 5

What is are 3 positives on the Learning Theory?

Answer 5

The theory uses observable methods
Includes scientific reasoning
Supports psychology as a science following its approach to experiments

Question 6

What is a negative evaluation of the Learning Theory?

Answer 6

Not all methods are morally correct in the modern era
Some methods followed may have shown animal cruelty
-Animals were starved for a period of time

Question 7

Who founded the Learning Theory

Answer 7

J.B. Watson in 1950

Question 8

What are two unconditional results of stimulus - response?

Answer 8

Unconditional stimulus
Unconditional response

Question 9

What is a natural result of stimulus - response?

Answer 9

Natural stimulus

Question 10

What are two conditioned results of stimulus - response?

Answer 10

Conditioned response
Conditioned stimulus

Question 11

What is Thorndike’s law of effect?

Answer 11

Events in the environment produce rewards for some behaviours and not others
Behaviours which produce rewards are repeated

Question 12

Who is Ivan Pavlov?

Answer 12

A behaviouristic psychologist who conducted experiments with dogs to see their reaction to stimuli in controlled scenarios.

Question 13

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 13

Pavlov’s technique of learning by association with a stimulus and a response

Question 14

What did the case of little Albert show?

Answer 14

-How phobias can develop from adding a negative stimulus each time a response is being carried out
-How associating the phobia can cause further phobias to occur

Question 15

How did Pavlov’s experiments contribute to understanding human behaviour?

Answer 15

• Showed that learning can be investigated using non-human participants
• Provided therapies for addictions and phobias e.g aversion therapy, systematic desensitisation

Question 16

What is Operant Conditioning?

Answer 16

Learning through positive and negative consequences

Question 17

What is reinforcement?

Answer 17

Anything which has an effect of increasing the likelihood of behaviour being repeated

Question 18

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 18

Increasing likelihood of good behaviour by being reprimanded with rewards

Question 19

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 19

Increasing the likelihood by removing unpleasant consequences to stop bad behaviour

Question 20

What is punishment?

Answer 20

An unpleasant consequence which decreases behaviour being repeated

Question 21

What occurred in ‘Skinner’s boxes’

Answer 21

-Animal learns by consequences (shock or open hatchet with food)
- Animal must press button/ lever to gain reward
- Bad behaviour resulted in a shock