The Behaviourist Approach - Classical, Pavlov

Question 1

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

• building an association between two stimuli

- learning takes place

Question 2

What research did Pavlov conduct?

Answer 2

• conditioned dogs to salivate when a bell rings

- bell would ring whenever food is present to build the association/learning response

Question 3

How did Pavlov condition dogs?

Answer 3

• food produced an unconditioned response of salivating
• a bell is rung alone and the dog doesn’t salivate
• food is repeatedly paired with the bell ringing
• when the bell ringing is presented alone, the dog salivates

Question 4

What is generalisation?

Answer 4

Similar stimuli will cause the same conditioned response

ie a different bell/doorbell will cause salivation

Question 5

What is discrimination?

Answer 5

Similar stimuli will not cause the conditioned response to occur
ie a different bell/doorbell won’t cause salivation

Question 6

What is extinction?

Answer 6

The conditioned response doesn’t occur when a stimulus is present
ie salivation doesn’t occur when the bell rings

Question 7

Evaluate classical conditioning.

Answer 7

(+) modelled in a scientific way by lab observations. Objective and replicable

(+) applied to treatments for psychological disorders (eg flooding or desensitization)

(+) support from other studies (Little Albert)

(-) lab studies -> lacks ecological validity

(-) only applicable to animals or children

(-) deterministic; ignores free will

(-) criticised by the biological approach (sz caused by genetics), should be considered by other approaches