Approaches- Learning and Cognitive approach

Question 1

What is the behaviourist approach ?

Answer 1

Argues that all behaviour is learned and shaped through our environment

Question 2

What are the 4 basic assumptions for the behaviourist approach ?

Answer 2

1- Behaviour is learnt through experience
2- Interested only in behaviour that can be observed and measured
3- The basic processes involved in learning are the same for animals as for humans
4- We are born as ‘blank slates’ and genes do not influence our behaviour

Question 3

What is classical conditioning ?

Answer 3

Learning by association

Question 4

Who conducted a study to test classical conditioning and why ?

Answer 4

Pavlov
- He conducted experiments after observing that dogs in his lab were salivating at the site of his research assistants who fed them

Question 5

Outline Pavlovs study into classical conditioning

Answer 5

1- Noticed that dogs were salivating at sight of food
2- Food is UCS and salivation is UCR
3- When bell rung there is no response
4- He then paired the bell and food (UCS) to produce salivation UCR
5- The dog has learnt to associate bell (CS) with salivation (CR)

Question 6

Outline Watson and Rayners study

Answer 6

Little Albert study (10 month old)
1- Initially when shown white rat Albert showed no fear
2- The researchers noticed that Albert did cry at loud noises
3- Watson deliberately made loud noise whenever Albert was shown the white rat
4- Albert developed a fear of the rat and through association anything white and fluffy

Question 7

What is operant conditioning ?

Answer 7

A form of learning by which behaviour is shaped by its consequences

Question 8

What are the 3 ‘consequences’ of operant conditioning ?

Answer 8

1- Positive reinforcement
2- Negative reinforcement
3- Punishment

Question 9

What is positive reinforcement ?

Answer 9

When a behaviour receives an award

Question 10

What is negative reinforcement ?

Answer 10

When a behaviour is done to avoid something unpleasant

Question 11

What is punishment ?

Answer 11

An unpleasant consequence of behaviour

Question 12

Outline the Skinner box experiment

Answer 12

Skinner used rats and pigeons to investigate operant conditioning
- He investigated positive reinforcement by rewarding them with food if they pressed a lever
- He investigated negative reinforcement by playing a lour noise that could be turned off by pressing a lever

Question 13

What are some strengths of the behaviourist approach ?

Answer 13

-Used controlled studies that can easily be replicated
- Real life applications : token economies

Question 14

What are some limitations of the behaviourist approach ?

Answer 14

• Approach is deterministic
• Animal studies have been criticised on ethical grounds

Question 15

What is the social learning theory ?

Answer 15

An explanation put forward by Bandura to explain learning through observation and modelling

Question 16

What is imitation ?

Answer 16

Copying the behaviour of a model

Question 17

What is modelling ?

Answer 17

Learning that involves observation of actions and a decision of wether or not to imitate behaviour

Question 18

What is Identification ?

Answer 18

When a person associates themselves with a model and wants to be like them

Question 19

What is vicarious reinforcement ?

Answer 19

Learning takes place through observing the consequences of a models actions in terms of reward and punishment

Question 20

What are the 4 meditational processes that can affect how a behaviour is learnt ?

Answer 20

1- Attention
2- Retention
3- Motor reproduction
4- Motivation

Question 21

Outline Bandura’s bobo doll experiment

Answer 21

1- Tested 72 children ages 3-5
2- One group showed a model show aggressive behaviour towards an inflatable bobo doll and the other was shown a model playing calmly
3- The children who had seen the adult act aggressively acted more violently towards the doll and copied specific actions they had seen.
This shows that children will imitate specific behaviours that they have seen/ observed

Question 22

What are some strengths of the SLT ?

Answer 22

• Less deterministic than the behavioural approach
• SLT explains cultural differnces In behaviour
• Emphasises the importance of cognitive factors in learning

Question 23

What are some weaknesses of the SLT ?

Answer 23

• Relies too much on lab studies (low ecological validity )
• Underestimates the influence of biological factors

Question 24

What is the cognitive approach ?

Answer 24

Argues that internal metal processes can be studies scientifically and should be studied in order to understand behaviour

Question 25

How are models used in the cognitive approach ?

Answer 25

To represent how internal mental processes may operate. It also shows how information is inputted, processed and used through a series of stages

Question 26

What is schema ?

Answer 26

A persons individual collection of ideas and information developed through experience

Question 27

What is cognitive neuroscience ?

Answer 27

The scientific study of the brain areas and the neural connections associated with mental processes

Question 28

What are some strengths of the cognitive approach ?

Answer 28

• Well controlled studies with standardised instructions
• It can be applied to real life situations and other subjects
• Cognitive approach is less deterministic than other approaches

Question 29

What are some weaknesses of the cognitive approach ?

Answer 29

• Machine reductionism
• Supporting studies lack external validity and therefore have low ecological validity