U3T4 - Learning

Question 1

compare classical conditioning (Ivan Pavlov 1897/1902), operant conditioning
(BF Skinner 1948) and social learning theory (Albert Bandura 1977)

Answer 1

classical conditioning: when an organism can passively learn to show a naturally occurring reflex action. eg. salivating in response to a stimulus - learning through association.
association - learnt connection between two (or more objects or events)

operant conditioning: type of learning in which behaviour becomes controlled by its consequences.
ABC - antecedent, behaviour, consequences
pigeon study - a: machine b: press green button c: pigeon food.

social learning theory: describes the way which people acquire certain behaviours by watching and learning from role models - observational learning
observational learning - where a person leans by watching the behaviour demonstrated by another.

Question 2

recall the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), unconditioned response (UCR),
neutral stimulus (NS), conditioned stimulus (CS) and conditioned response
(CR)

Answer 2

UCS: (unconditioned stimulus) stimulus that causes an unconditioned response.

UCR: (unconditioned response) a response that occurs naturally in response to the unconditioned stimulus.

NS: (neutral stimulus) something that causes no response)

CS: (conditioned response) a previous neutral stimulus that is associated with the unconditioned stimulus and eventually causes a conditioned response.

CR: (conditioned response) an automatic response developed by being trained to respond to a typically neutral stimulus.

Question 3

distinguish between stimulus generalisation and discrimination

Answer 3

stimulus generalisation: when an organism responds to any stimulus that is similar to the conditioned stimulus.

discrimination: when an organism responds to the conditioned stimulus but not to any stimulus that is similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Question 4

describe extinction and spontaneous recovery

Answer 4

extinction: response is extinguished after being shown several times without reinforcement.

spontaneous recovery: the reappearance of an extinguished response after a rest period.

Question 5

­ describe learned fear responses (John Watson — the ‘Little Albert’
experiment) (Watson & Rayner 1920)

Answer 5

learned fear responses:

Question 6

­ distinguish between negative and positive reinforcement and punishment

Question 7

describe extinction and spontaneous recovery

Question 8

­ distinguish between modelling and vicarious conditioning.