Unit 3 Topic 4 - Learning

Question 1

Compare classical conditioning (Ivan Pavlov 1897/1902), operant conditioning (BF Skinner 1948) and social learning theory (Albert Bandura 1977)
(3.4.1.1)

Answer 1

• a lot of content for this dot point, refer to syllabus review dot point 3.4.1.1 for possible answers*
  note: questions relating to these theories are more likely to be ‘scenarios’ rather than ‘content dump’ (see QCAA sample assessments)

Question 2

Differentiate between the unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, neutral stimulus, conditioned stimulus and conditioned response (3.4.1.2)

Answer 2

Unconditioned Stimulus: Natural Cause of Response
Unconditioned Response: Natural Reaction to Stimulus
Neutral Stimulus: Causes Nothing
Conditioned Stimulus: Unnatural Cause of the Stimulus
Conditioned Response: Unnatural Reaction to Stimulus

note: questions relating to these theories are more likely to be ‘scenarios’ rather than ‘content dump’ (see QCAA sample assessments)

Question 3

Distinguish between stimulus generalisation and discrimination for classical conditioning (3.4.1.2)

Answer 3

Stimulus Generalisation: if a response is conditioned to one stimulus, the organism may also respond to a similar stimulus
Stimulus Discrimination: if a response is conditioned to one stimulus, the organism will not respond to a stimulus that is similar

Question 4

Distinguish between extinction and spontaneous recovery for classical conditioning (3.4.1.2)

Answer 4

Extinction Recovery: continued exposure to the CS without the UCS present will reduce and then eliminate the CR
Spontaneous Recovery: the reappearance of an extinct CR after a break period with no further conditioning

Question 5

Summarise

Watson & Rayner, 1920

(3.4.1.2)

Answer 5

AIM:
Investigate whether emotional responses were the result of reflex or conditioning (learning)
METHOD:
Used a child (Little Albert) and completed 3 tests
#1: given white rat, each time he touched it a loud noise startled Albert – several days later he would not touch the rat
#2: given different animals, displayed the original fear responses
#3: repeated #1&2 at different locations, displayed original fear responses
RESULTS:
It was evident that conditioning did occur (#1)
Fear can be transferred to similar objects (#2)
Found a persistence of directly conditioned emotional responses, as well as those conditioned by transfer, although the directly conditioned emotional responses were less intense (#3)
SUMMARY:
Good way to distinguish between stimulus generalisation and discrimination in classical conditioning
Lacked many of the controls that are expected in modern experiments, and it only had one subject, which restricted the validity of the conclusions made

note: probs not gonna be asked to recall this much information but question could ask to explain results or findings, etc.

Question 6

Distinguish between negative and positive reinforcement and punishment for operant conditioning (3.4.1.3)

Answer 6

Positive Reinforcement: introduction of a pleasant/satisfying stimulus
Negative Reinforcement: the removal, reduction or prevent of an unpleasant stimulus
Positive Punishment: introduction of an unpleasant stimulus
Negative Punishment: removal of a pleasant stimulus

Question 7

Describe stimulus generalisation and discrimination for operant conditioning (3.4.1.3)

Answer 7

Stimulus Generalisation: elicitation of a response to stimulus that resembles discriminative stimulus
Stimulus Discrimination: elicitation of a response only in the presence of specific stimulus

Question 8

Describe extinction and spontaneous recovery for operant conditioning (3.4.1.3)

Answer 8

Extinction Recovery: period of reducing response to stimulus after operant conditioning
Spontaneous Recovery: period of not responding to stimulus after operant conditioning

Question 9

Distinguish between modelling and vicarious conditioning for social learning theory (3.4.1.4)

Answer 9

Modelling Conditioning: more clinical/objective and relies on your direct observation of an event with the purpose of learning from the outcome of observation
Vicarious Conditioning: refers to a person either telling you about an event or your witnessing or reading about that event, your relating to the situation, and then thinking and/or feeling like the main character in the event