Week 3 Learning Theories Flashcards
Biological Theories
-maturation drives development
-genes lead to the whole bodies development
Who is the key person in biological theories
Arnold Gesell- development norms, readiness
-observed and documented patterns of development
-many policy choices and some teaching/parenting practices are largely based on an idea that biological age and maturation drives development
Behaviorist Theories
environmental inputs drive development
John Watson
-classic conditioning
-little albert experiment
What did John Watson believe?
-development is gradual and continuous
-children play a largely passive role in development
-children have high plasticity
-no critical stages or critical periods because are all shaped by our environment
Classical conditioning
-creating situations that result in learning
-starts with an unconditional stimulus and an unconditioned response
Unconditional stimulus Pavlovs dog
dog sees food and starts drooling (natura response)
Unconditioned response pavlovs dog
dog has no response to the bell ringing
Neutral stimulus pavlov’s dog
the bell ringing
conditioned response pavlovs dog
dog drooling when the bell rings
Operant conditionng
learning a voluntary behavior through consequences
Reinforcer
consequence that increases the probability of a behehavior
Positive reinforcer
something added that increases the probability of a behavior
-giving a dog a treat for doing a trick
Negative reinforcer
something removed that increased probability of a behavior
-putting on your seatbelt to get rid of a noise
Punishment
consequence that reduces the probability of a given behavior