Lesson 2 - Classical Conditioning (Behaviourist Approach)

Question 1

Classical Conditioning Key Assumptions

Answer 1

Concerned with observable behaviour that can be objectively and scientifically measured
All behaviour is learned from the environment and can be reduced to a stimulus-response assosciation
There is little difference between the learning that takes place in humans and non-human animals allowing research to be carried out on animals as well as humans

Question 2

Classical Conditioning

Answer 2

Behaviourist approach suggests that all behaviour is learnt rather than being innate or inherited
Can be learnt through classical conditioning, which is learning through association
A stimulus produces the same response as another stimulus as they have been consistently presented at the same time

Question 3

Pavlov (1927)

Answer 3

Russian physiologist credited with the discovery of the process of classical conditioning
Investigated salivating reflexes in dogs when he noticed dogs would not only salivate when food was in their mouths but also when certain stimuli appeared such as their dog bowl
Led Pavlov to explore how dogs had learnt these stimuli meant food was coming
Decided to see if he could teach the dogs to salivate when he rang a bell

Question 4

Pavlov (1927)

Before Conditoning

Answer 4

Food was an unconditioned stimulus that produced the reflex of salivating, unconditioned response
Bell was a neutral stimulus that produced no conditioned response

Question 5

Pavlov (1927)

During Conditoning

Answer 5

The unconditioned stimulus (food) was repeatedly paired with the neutral stimulus (bell)
Eventually, the dog associated the bell with food

Question 6

Pavlov (1927)

After Conditoning

Answer 6

The bell was a conditioned stimulus producing the conditioned response of salivating in the dogs

Question 7

Classical Conditioning Evaluation Points

Answer 7

Little Albert
Application

Ecological Validity
Age
Menzies
Deterministic

Question 8

Classical Conditioning Evaluation
Little Albert
Positive

Answer 8

Research by Watson and Rayner in Little Albert study supports Pavlov’s findings of classical conditioning
Study done on an infant so increases validity and can be generalised to humans
However, study has never been repeated on infants or humans so whether the study can be replicated can be questioned

Question 9

Classical Conditioning Evaluation
Application
Positive

Answer 9

Helped apply classical conditioning to treatments of psychological disorders
Helped form treatments such as flooding and systematic desensitisation which are based on components of classical conditioning and association
Both methods are successful in treating phobias in people

Question 10

Classical Conditioning Evaluation
Ecological Validity
Negative

Answer 10

Findings from Little Albert study and Pavlov’s study may lack ecological validity
Both studies conducted in a laboratory setting
Results may be different in a real life situation

Question 11

Classical Conditioning Evaluation
Age
Negative

Answer 11

Classical conditioning may not be strong in explaining how adults learn new behaviours
Studies only done on infants and animals
Therefore classical conditioning is limited on who can be affected

Question 12

Classical Conditioning Evaluation
Menzies
Negative

Answer 12

Criticised the behaviour model and classical conditioning
Studies people with hydrophobia and found only 2% of his sample have ever had a bad experience with water
Means there are other factors affecting learning, not just classical conditioning

Question 13

Classical Conditioning Evaluation
Deterministic
Negative

Answer 13

Ignores role of free will
Classical conditioning anticipates an individual will respond to a conditioned stimulus with no variation which is not accurate
People are not passive states and they have control over how they respond to an association between two stimuli
Leads to explanation for behaviour that are incomplete and inconsistent