Week 8: Learning Flashcards
What is behaviourism?
Behaviourism suggests that is is nurture rather than nature that drives observable behaviours.
Key theories of behaviour
Classical conditioning (Pavlov, dogs, bell, saliva)
Operant conditioning (Skinner, reward, punishment)
Social Cognitive theory (Bandura, observation, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies)
Classical conditioning
Learning occurs through association.
Classical conditioning relies on a stimulus and response scenario.
Associated concepts of Classical Conditioning
Extinction - refers to the reduction in the conditioned response after repeated presentation of the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus.
Spontaneous recovery - when a conditioned response occurs again, after being extinguished
Generalisation - refers to when the conditioned response occurs when a stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus is presented, and discrimination is the opposite - similar stimuli do not elicit the conditioned response.
Second/higher order conditioning - occurs when we use a previously conditioned stimulus paired with a new neutral stimulus, and through repeated pairing the new neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus.
Operant conditioning
Learning through consequences
If a behaviour is rewarded, the operant learns to repeat it, however if a behaviour is punished the operant learns not to repeat it.
Key Concepts of Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement - a consequence designed to increase behaviour (e.g., praise, treats).
Punishment - a consequence designed to reduce behaviour (e.g., scolding, spanking, time out).
Positive - a reinforcer or punisher is added.
Negative - a reinforcer or punisher is removed.
Social cognitive theory
learning occurs through observation and recognises the individuals role in learning as well where they will need to believe they have the ability to do it as well (self efficacy), and expect a similar outcome to what they observed (outcome expectancies).
Key concepts of Social cognitive theory
Modelling which is a four step process requiring:
1. Attention - we have to attend to the behaviour
2. Retention - we must retain/remember the information
3. Reproduction - we must have a capacity to reproduce the behaviour
4. Motivation - we must be motivated to engage in the behaviour.
Self Efficacy also, which is the belief in our own ability to perform an action and achieve the desired outcome.
Lastly, outcome expectancies which refer to whether we see the model rewarded or punished, and whether we believe we will experience the same outcome.
