Pavlov’s Dogs - evaluation

Question 1

Generalisability

Answer 1

P: One weakness of Pavlov’s research is it lacks generalisability
E: He found that 9 seconds after hearing the bell the dogs would start salivating
E: - Findings cannot be generalised to explain how humans learn -> CC
- The study was conducted on dogs and human behaviour is more complex

Question 2

Reliability - point

Answer 2

One strength of Pavlov is it can be tested for reliability

Question 3

Reliability - evidence

Answer 3

• Standardised procedure: paired sound of bell and food 20 times, then only used the bell to see how dogs would respond
• Controls over EV: raised dogs in kennels in labs, sealing them in rooms

Question 4

Reliability - explanation

Answer 4

This means someone else can repeat this study to see if they get a similar result

Question 5

Ecological validity - point

Answer 5

One weakness of Pavlov is it lacks ecological validity

Question 6

Ecological validity - evidence

Answer 6

Pavlov conducted a lab experiment which involves an unnatural setting including, the dogs being sealed in a room strapped to a harness with a tube in their mouths

Question 7

Ecological validity - explanation

Answer 7

• Artificial setting -> unnatural behaviour
• Findings ≠ represent human learning behaviour irl

Question 8

Ethics - point

Answer 8

One weakness of Pavlov is it was not ethical

Question 9

Ethics - evidence

Answer 9

• Dogs were raised in kennels in labs
• Had been sealed in rooms, strapped to harnesses and had tubes in their mouths

Question 10

Ethics - explanation

Answer 10

This means they were harmed and treated inhumanly