The Learning Approach Flashcards
What 3 theories is the learning approach broken down into?
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Social Learning theory
Is classical conditioning a behaviourist theory or a non-behaviourist theory?
Behaviourist
Is operant conditioning a behaviourist theory or a non-behaviourist theory?
Behaviourist
Is the Social Learning Theory a behaviourist theory or a non-behaviourist theory?
Non-behaviourist
What is the difference between a behaviourist theory and a non-behaviourist theory?
Behaviourist theories study observable behaviour in a lab, whilst non-behaviourist theories also study mental observations
Who developed classical conditioning?
Ivan Pavlov
Who developed operant conditioning?
B. F. Skinner
Who developed the social learning theory?
Albert Bandura
What are the 4 key assumptions of the learning approach?
- The environment is central to our behaviour, and our actions are caused by nurture, not nature (e.g. if bitten by a dog, you’re scared of dogs)
- Psychologists should study observable behaviour only (leads to limited explanations because many things are mental conditions)
- We are born as ‘blank slates’ and genetics and biology don’t affect our behaviour (outdated theory - modern research shows that activities in the womb affect babies before birth)
- Animal research is relevant to humans because humans and animals are just as complex (outdated - modern research shows that the human brain is the most complex)
In classical conditioning, what was the food for the dogs?
The unconditioned stimulus
In classical conditioning, what is the automatic response of salivation known as
An unconditioned response
Before classical conditioning, what is the metronome known as
A neutral stimulus since it doesn’t cause any particular response
How does classical conditioning work
The NS and the UCS are repeatedly paired or associated together (20ish times), so the dogs soon learn that the metronome means that food will follow, therefore they salivate
After classical conditioning, what is the metronome to the dog?
A conditioned stimuli
After classical conditioning, is salivation a neutral or controlled response (and why)?
A conditioned response because the dog has learned that the metronome means food will follow, so the response is learned
What is the formula for classical conditioning?
UCS –> UCR
NS + UCS –> UCR
CS –> CR
What is the definition of a reflex?
An automatic response to a stimulus that requires no thought (it can be learned/conditioned)
What is the definition of a CS?
How the neutral stimulus changed and now causes a learned, reflex action
What is the definition of a stimulus?
Any change in the environment in which we register
What is the definition of a extinction?
When the CS is not paired with the UCS occasionally after conditioning, the CR will die out
What is the definition of a response?
Changes in our behaviour due to a stimulus
What is the definition of a UCS?
The original stimulus which causes a reflex action
What is the definition of a CR?
The learned response prompted by the CS
What is the definition of a NS?
A stimulus that causes no reaction
What is the definition of a UCR?
The original reflex reaction in classical conditioning
What is the definition of a stimulus generalisation?
When the participant responds to a different stimuli which is similar to the CS
What is the definition of a spontaneous recovery?
This occurs after extinction when the CR returns when there is n more pairing of the NS and the UCS (it soon dies out)
Weaknesses of classical conditioning
- lacks ecological validity
- determinist approach which suggests that we have no free will, further reducing the validity
When was Pavlov’s study
1927
What were the aims of Pavlov’s study?
To establish how salivation is produced in dogs due to 2 unrelated stimuli being associated
What were the conclusions of Pavlov’s study?
Classical conditioning worked forwards, but not backwards
What were the results of Pavlov’s study?
It took around 20 pairings but after this, it took 9 seconds for salivation after the metronome sound, and after 45 seconds, 11 drops were produced
What was Pavlov’s method
- paired a metronome with food several times
- tried forwards and backwards conditioning
Strengths of Pavlov’s study
- good internal validity because it was done in a lab so EVs were controlled. this clearly showed the cause and effect
- study produces quantitative data which is objectifiable, meaning it is not questionable
Weaknesses of Pavlov’s study
- poor ecological validity because it was done in a lab and therefore, dogs wouldn’t act naturally because they were in an artificial setting
- ethical concerns because the dogs were operated on and had a tube inserted into their mouths, which was unnatural for them
What does operant conditioning explain
Voluntary behaviour
What did Skinner call rewards
Reinforcements
What is positive reinforcement
When we receive something we want or like for performing a desirable behaviour, so the behaviour is repeated
What is negative reinforcement
When something undesirable is taken away from you for performing a desirable behaviour, so the behaviour is repeated
What is primary reinforcement
Something that satisfies a basic need such as hunger or thirst
What is secondary reinforcement
Something we want because we have learned to value it (e.g. money)
What does punishment do
Weakens and stops undesirable behaviour
What is positive punishment
Giving something unpleasant or painful when undesirable behaviour is shown
What is negative punishment
Removing something pleasant after undesirable behaviour
What is an example of positive reinforcement
Being given a merit for good work
What is an example of negative reinforcement
If you do well, no homework will be set
What is an example of positive punishment
Given a detention
What is an example of negative punishment
Mobile phone taken away
Strengths of Skinner’s research
- good internal validity (clear cause and effect)
- good standardised procedure (study can be replicated to prove validity and consistency)
Weaknesses of Skinner’s research
- low generalisability (rats have less complex brains than humans - our rewards are subjective)
- low mundane realism (rats wouldn’t behave this way in reality)
- unethical (reduces credibility)
what was the aim of Skinner’s research
to investigate behavioural responses as a result of punishment due to trial-and-error learning
explain the procedure of Skinner’s research
- the rats were put into a ‘skinner box’ which had a lever that could be pressed, and food would be given
- the lights and speakers in the box would flash before a shock was administered to the animal, giving them a warning (this could be stopped if they pressed the lever)
how did skinner show positive reinforcement
the rats were given a food pellet for performing a desirable trait (pushing the lever)
how did skinner show negative reinforcement
the unpleasant electric shock would be removed if the rats pushed the lever
how did skinner demonstrate punishment
skinner made the rats re-learn the lever’s function, and changed it to an undesirable trait that caused an electric shock to be administered
conclusions made from skinners study
operant conditioning is an effective way to control behaviour with reinforcement being more effective than punishment (took rats longer to learn the punishment than the reinforcement)
