Topic 4: Learning Theories Flashcards
What is meant by the term Tabula Rasa?
Classical Conditioning
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Classical Conditioning
Define stimulus.
Classical Conditioning
A external factor which is interpreted through the senses and can bring about a behaviour response.
Define classical conditioning.
Classical Conditioning
Learning through association.
Classical conditioning is a theory made by Pavlov that involves the association between two stimuli to produce a new response.
Define unconditioned stimulus.
Classical Conditioning
A stimulus that elicits an unconditioned/ unlearnt/ natural response. e.g. food (US) causes a hungry dog to salivate.
Define conditioned stimulus.
Classical Conditioning
A previously neutral stimulus that, after repeated association with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits the response produced by the unconditional stimulus itself.
Define unconditioned response.
Classical Conditioning
A response/ behaviour that occurs naturally due to a given stimulus.
Define conditioned response.
Classical Conditioning
A behaviour thay is shown in response to a learned stimulus.
Define neutral stimulus.
Classical Conditioning
A stimulus which intitially produces no specific/ desired response.
Define extinction.
Classical Conditioning
Conditioning disappears because association between the UCS and CS no longer happens. This can happen when the paired stimulus is seperated and so the learned response is no longer carried out.
Define spontaneous recovery.
Classical Conditioning
After extinction, the association recurs for no specific reason. The conditioned stimulus (e.g. the bell) suddenly produces the previously conditioned response (e.g. salivation). (re-appearance of a conditioned response).
Define stimulus generalisation.
Classical Conditioning
CS produces the same behaviour to a similar stimuli after response has been conditioned.
Define systematic desensitization.
Classical Conditioning
Define flooding therapy.
Classical Conditioning
Conclusion for Learning Theories Essay.
The use of experiments provides the learning theories with scienctifc credibility and therefore the theories support psychology as a science. This in turn means the theories have many practical applications and can develop therapies, enhance educational practices, prevent crime and can develop social policies which can be helpful in society.
What was the name of the psychologist who developed classical conditioning?
Classical Conditioning
Ivan Pavlov.
2 Strengths of Classical conditioning (supporting evidence)
Classical Conditioning
Watson and Rayner - Paired a loud noise (hammer banging metal) with a white rat. After a few pairings, Albert (a baby under 1yr old) became scared of white rats.
Pavlov (1927) - found that dogs would salivate to the ticking of a metronome after it had been paired with the UCS of food.
Give 2 weaknesses of Classical conditioning
Classical Conditioning
- It is a limited explanation of learning as it only deals with reflexive behaviour, and most of our behaviour isn’t reflexive. Making it reductionist.
- A lot of studies on classical conditioning use animals. This is not generalisable as they don’t represent humans as we may have different brains and are more advanced.
Describe the learning theories. (4 marks)
What did Pavlov conclude?
That environmental stimuli that had no previous relation to a reflex action could, through repeated pairing, trigger a salivation reflex.
Through the process of associative learning (conditioning) the conditioned stimulus leads to a conditioned response.
What is a strength of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- supporting evidence pavlov
a strength of classical conditioning is the supporting evidence from pavlov’s study. dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sound of a metronome as this neutral stimulus was paired consistently with an unconditioned stimulus (food). 11 drops of saliva were collected when the metronome sounded without the food, after 45 seconds. therefore, this quantitative analysis suggests that learning through classical conditioning is a credible explanation of learning behaviours.
what is a weakness of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- pavlov criticism
a weakness of classical conditioning is that the supporting evidence from pavlov lacks generalisability. the research was done on dogs which have different cerebral cortexes to humans. the cerebral cortex plays a role in memory, problem solving and reasoning. therefore, these findings cannot accurately represent the way humans learn.
What’s the classic study for topic 4 learning theories?
Watson & Rayner (1920)
Describe the sample of Watson and Rayner’s study.
One baby boy, Albert, aged 9 months at the start of the study and 11 months when the conditioning began.
what is a strength of classical conditioning (PEECA)?
- supporting evidence watson and rayner
a strength of classical conditioning is that it is supported by the study of Watson and Rayner. they classically conditioned little Albert to develop a phobia of a white rat by introducing it at the same time as banging a metal bar. Albert associated the scary noise with the rat so began to cry at the sight of only the rat. The study also supports the idea of generalisation because similar stimuli such as a santa mask also produced the same conditioned response. therefore, this suggests that children can develop phobias through classical conditioning. however, the study lacks reliability. Albert was an unusual child who grew up in a hospital setting so whilst this also reduces the generalisability to other children, it also means it is unethical to easily replicate and check for consistency.
what is a strength of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- application
a strength of classical conditioning is that there are practical applications. for example, in Little Albert’s case study, it was found that phobias can be classically conditioned into a child. therefore, the feared stimuli could be associated with relaxation in order to reverse this. so, it is a useful theory in treating phobias.
what is a weakness of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- criticism (reductionist)
a weakness of classical conditioning is that it is a reductionist explanation. this is because it oversimplifies the acquisition of behaviour. for example, there are other biological factors such as hormones (testosterone) or genetics which impact how we behave. therefore, it is an incomplete explanation of how we learn because it oversimplifies learning to association of a neutral and unconditioned stimulus and ignoring biological factors.
