Approaches Flashcards
Frued was a nonce (74 cards)
Explain what is meant by classical conditioning
A type of learning that occurs through associations being made between the unconditioned response and the neutral stimulus.
Explain classical conditioning in Pavlov’s experiment
Before conditioning, the dog would salivate when food was presented in front of it. When a bell sound was heard by the dog it had no observable effect.
Pavlov then placed the food in front of the dog but also paired it the a bell sound, and this was repeated.
The dog then made the connection of the food and the bell so that when just the bell sound was heard, the dog began to salivate. The neutral stimulus
What are the main assumptions of the behaviourist approach?
-We learn through associations between stimuli in our environment and our responses to them (classical conditioning) or the consequences of our behaviour (operant conditioning)
-Behaviour is learnt through environment, therefore it can be unlearnt
- Ignores mental processes
-Learning can be generalised across species
Explain operant conditioning
-A type of learning where behaviour is acquired and maintained based on its consequences.
-Reinforcement increases the likelihood of the observed behaviour being repeated, whilst punishment (an unpleasant consequence of behaviour) decreases this likelihood.
Explain positive reinforcement
Providing a reward or pleasant consequence when a particular behaviour is performed
This is done to encourage the behaviour so that it can be repeated in the future
Explain negative reinforcement
When your actions stop a negative stimulus. Increases reinforcement
E.g.
Your mum shouts at you to clean your room so you clean it and she stops shouting
Explain positive punishment
Providing an unpleasant consequence after a behaviour is displayed. This is done to discourage the behaviour so that it can be reduced in the future
E.g.
A child talks in class so teacher gives them extra homework
Explain negative punishment
-When you remove the positive stimulus
Explain Skinners box experiment
-The rat moves around the cage and accidentally presses the lever- which releases food (the reinforcer)
-The rat then continues to press the lever in order to obtain food as a positive consequence
-If the food pallets stop, the rat presses the lever a few more times and the abandons it
This validates the behaviourist approach as it clearly provides an explanation for how we learn behaviour through consequences
AO3
Outline one strength of the behaviourist approach
(Scientific method)
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One strength of the behaviourist approach is that it is highly scientific
For example, both Skinner and Pavlov conducted lab studies where the independent variable was manipulated and extraneous variables were controlled meaning the dependent variable could be measured. This suggests that the studies supporting the behaviourist approach have high internal validity because of high control over extraneous variables and it has high reliability because it was highly standardised. Therefore this means we are able to establish a causal relationship between variables and outcomes in this approach, thus strengthening our acceptance of the behaviourist approach.
HOWEVER, lab studies directly manipulate the IV and control for all extraneous variables meaning they can not accurately replicate real life scenarios, thus indicating we cant apply operant and classical conditioning in the real world because they were derived from lab studies which are low in ecological validity
AO3
Outline one strength of the behaviourist approach
(Therapies)
One strength of the behaviourist approach is that it has led to therapies
For example, through the behaviourist principle that ‘all behaviour cant be learnt and therefore unlearnt’ behavioural therapies for mental health issues such as phobias have been developed. Research indicates these behavioural therapies have been effective at reducing the fear of a phobic stimuli. Classical conditioning has been used to treat phobias in patients. e.g the fear of a phobic stimuli. This is a strength of the approach as it indicates that principles of the behaviourist approach can be used for development of behavioural therapies which can improve the quality of a patients life, thus strengthening acceptance of the approach
AO3
Outline one weakness of the behaviourist approach
(Overly reductionist)
One weakness of this approach is that it is overly reductionist. For example, the approach completely ignores biological factors which influence behaviour such as genes hormones and neurotransmitters, and dont account for mental processes as they are not observable, rather behaviourists explain behaviour purely in terms of stimulus and response. This suggests this approach breaks behaviour down into simple components such as stimulus and response and in doing so ignore other factors which influence behaviour, only focusing on the nurture side of understanding behaviour
AO3
Outline one weakness of the behaviourist approach
(Animal studies)
One limitation of this approach is the use of animal research.
For example, Pavlov used dogs in his experiment and Skinner used rats in his experiments, based off the findings of the animals, these two researchers concluded that all animals learn via these two mechanism of classical and operant conditioning. However, humans have way more complex brains, have different needs and different fears, meaning humans and rats may not always respond the same way stimuli . This is a weakness because it suggests the research lacks generalisability to humans.
Furthermore, the animal research has been considered unethical. e.g. In Skinner’s research, the rats were electrified which could have caused distress to the animals. This further weakens acceptance of the theory as it indicates the behaviourist approach used unethical methods to gather data.
Aim of Bandura’s experiment
To investigate whether behaviour is learnt through observation and imitation of role model
Method of Bandura’s experiment
-ppts: 72 (36 boys, 36 girls) children aged 3-6 years old
-Lab experiment
-Independent group design
Procedure of Bandura’s experiment (pt.1)
Explain non aggressive, aggressive and control group
Children were pretested for how aggressive they were through observation in their nursery on 4, 5 rating point scales. Children were then placed into one of 3 conditions; aggressive model, non aggressive model and a control group.
In the aggressive model condition children were exposed to a filmed model demonstrating aggressive behaviour towards the bobo doll.
In the non aggressive condition, children watched film of model playing with toys in presence of bobo doll
In the control group, children didnt watch any model and were not exposed to aggressive or non aggressive behaviour.
Procedure of Bandura’s experiment (pt.2)
Explain the frustration induction, aggressive arousal and observation
Frustration induction: After modelling, children taken to room with toys, but they were told that they cant play with these toys as they are for other children
Aggressive arousal: The children were then taken to another room with aggressive and non aggressive toys. The purpose was to arouse aggression in the children, regardless of their exposure to the model
Observation: Children were placed in a room containing a bobo doll. The children’s behaviour was then observed by observers (who didnt know the exposure the children had to aggressive model). They recorded the behaviours over a 20 minute period.
Results of Bandura’s experiment
-Boys imitated more physically aggressive behaviours than girls. Boys were also more likely to imitate the same sex role model than girls
-Children were more likely to imitate behaviours of the same sex role model
-Children exposed to aggressive model were more likely to reproduce aggressive behaviours, both verbally and physically towards the bobo doll in comparison to those who were shown non aggressive model or the control group.
-1/3 Children who observed the aggressive behaviour model repeated the models verbal responses - none of the children exposed to non aggressive model produced verbally aggressive remarks
Conclusion from Bandura’s experiment
Children learn behaviours through observing and imitating role models in a social context
(AO3)
Provide a strength of social learning theory
(Supporting research)
-One strength of Social learning theory is the existence of supporting research
-For example, Bandura (1961) studied whether behaviour is learned through imitation and observation of a role model in children. He exposed children aged 3-6 to aggressive and non aggressive adult models and found that children who were shown the aggressive models were more likely to reproduce the same observed aggressive behaviours.
-This suggests that children imitate role models, which is consistent with SLT. In this case, if the role modes are aggressive then the children were more likely to imitate that aggressive behaviour which has been observed
- Therefore, Bandura’s results increase the validity of the social learning theory as an explanation for behaviour and learning
AO3
Outline one weakness of SLT
(biological differences)
-One weakness of SLT is that it ignores the impact of biological factors on social learning.
-For example, in Bandura’s study (1961), one consistent finding in the experiment was that boys imitated more physically aggressive acts than girls, thus suggesting boys are more aggressive than girls
-This suggests that hormonal factors such as differences in testosterone levels can influence levels of aggression. However this isn’t accounted for in the explanation proposed by SLT
-Therefore SLT can be criticised for only acknowledging the influence of ones environment in explaining how we learn and ignoring biological factors that could influence behaviour
Provide a strength of social learning theory
(acknowledges mediational processes)
One strength of the social learning theory is that it acknowledges mediational processes
For example, within mediational processes there are 4 different stages of reproducing the behaviour. This provides more insight and gives a deeper explanation as it takes into account thought processes.
Whereas the behaviourist approach only focuses on observable behaviour and ignores the influence of cognition on behaviour and the influence of thoughts on behaviour
Therefore, the social learning theory provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes.
AO3
Outline one weakness of SLT
(Cause and effect)
Point :One weakness of the social learning theory is that there is ambiguity when establishing causality of deviant behaviour.
Evidence: For example, SLT claims that increased identification with deviant peers increases the likelihood that an individual will adopt the same values and behaviours. Siegel and McCormick (2006) found that young people who posses deviant attitudes and values would seek out peers with similar attitudes and behaviours. This is due to the fact that they are more fun to be around as opposed to well behaved peers.
Explanation: This means that the causes of delinquency may not be due to identifying with a deviant role model and social learning but the possession of deviant attitudes prior to contact with deviant peers.
Link: Therefore, It cant establish the cause and effect between social learning theory and delinquent behaviour.
Explain schemas
Cognitive framework that helps organise and interpret information in the brain. Schemas help an individual to make sense of new information. Package of information developed through experiences.
