The Learning Approach (from 1911) Flashcards
Introduction to Learning Approach:
- originally from America in early 20th century
- largely work of Pavlov, Skinner and Watson
- they rejected Freud and Biological approach of the time
- focused on environmental determinism
- they saw the environment as the main influence on all our behaviour
What are some assumptions of the Learning Approach?
- all behaviour is learned, all we have at birth is capacity to learn
- a person is a product of their environment and born a blank slate
- this places learning on the (extreme) Nurture side of the argument
- in order for psychology to be scientific it should focus on observable behaviour which can be objectively measured, rather then on things like cognitive processes which can only be inferred
What mnemonic is used to remember learning approach?
CIA
What does CIA stand for
C - learning through CONSEQUENCES of behaviours (operant conditioning)
I - learning through the IMITATION of the behaviour of others (social learning theory)
A - learning through ASSOCIATIONS between stimuli (classical conditioning)
What are the two sections of the learning approach?
1- Behaviourist Approach (Pavlov, Skinner and Watson)
2- Social Learning Theory (Bandura)
What are the three stages of Classical Conditioning
1- UCS = UCR
2- NS + UCS = UCR
3- CS = CR
Summarise Pavlov’s research into Classical Conditioning
- carried out research to find out if dogs could salivate in response to a bell
- based on idea some things dogs don’t need to learn (salivating at food)
- it is an unconditioned response
- Pavlov measured volume of saliva produced in response to food and/or bell
Define : extinction
If the conditioned stimulus is continually presented without the unconditioned stimulus then the conditioned response gradually dies out
Extinction using the example of pavlovs dogs =
Salivation died out after no food presented
Define : spontaneous recovery
If a conditioned response is not reinforced, it becomes extinguished. But after a period of rest the response may suddenly reappear
Spontaneous recovery using the example of pavlovs dogs =
Salivation returned to bell after re-pairing with food
Define : Discrimination
The CR is produced only by presentation of the original stimulus, it does not extend to similar stimuli
Discrimination using the example of pavlovs dogs =
Only salivated in response to a particular tone of bell, not all bells
Define : Generalisation
Extension of the CS from the original stimulus to similar stimuli
Generalisation using the example of pavlovs dogs =
Salivating at any bell
Define : One trial learning
When conditioning occurs immediately, after one trial only
Give an example of One trial learning
Food poisoning. You would never want the food again
Briefly describe Skinner’s research into operant conditioning
- learning from consequences is ‘operant conditioning’
- skinners theory is that the likelihood of future behaviour is determined by the consequences of past behaviour
- throughout his research he used what has become known as “Skinner boxes’ with pigeons and rats, and carefully measured the frequency of selected behaviour
Define : Primary reinforcers
Anything that fulfils a basic/biological need. It is something that is reinforcing in its own right. Any behaviour that leads to a basic need being met is likely to be repeated
What is an example of a primary reinforcer
In the case of attachment bonds, the primary reinforcer is food because it satisfies hunger
Define : secondary reinforcers
Do not inherently reinforce, it only becomes a reinforcer because it is associated with a primary reinforcer
What is an example of a secondary reinforcer
In the case of attachment, food/milk is the primary reinforcer and the feeder/caregiver is the secondary reinforcer
What is continuous reinforcement ?
when the desired behaviour is reinforced every single time it occurs e.g. a rat gets a food pellet every time it presses the lever
What is partial reinforcement ?
When the response is reinforced only part or some of the time. There are different types of partial reinforcement schedules. Some increase repetition of behaviour mote than others e.g. a rat gets a food pellet after 5 lever presses (fixed ratio schedule) or after a number of lever presses thar changes all the time (variable ratio schedule)
