behaviourist approaches- PAVLOV research Flashcards
(7 cards)
what are the 6 AO1 points you must know for Pavlov’s research?
-Aim
-Method—Controlled Laboratory Study
-Classical Conditioning Procedure
-Key Findings
-Secondary Processes
-Scientific Contribution
What was Pavlov’s original aim and key observation?
Pavlov initially studied the salivary reflex in dogs. He noticed that dogs began to salivate before food presentation—indicating they had learned to anticipate it through association.
How did Pavlov design his controlled laboratory experiments?
He used a bell (neutral stimulus, NS) and food powder (unconditioned stimulus, UCS). Dogs wore a saliva-collecting device to precisely measure salivation (UCR), ensuring standardised, replicable data.
What was the classical conditioning procedure Pavlov followed?
Pre-conditioning: Food (UCS) → Salivation (UCR); Bell (NS) → No response.
Conditioning trials: Bell (NS) + Food (UCS) → Salivation (UCR).
Post-conditioning: Bell alone becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) eliciting salivation (CR).
What were Pavlov’s key findings regarding learning speed and strength?
Dogs typically formed the CS–CR association within 10–15 pairings, and the salivary response strength to the bell alone gradually matched that elicited by food.
Which secondary conditioning processes did Pavlov identify?
Extinction: CR diminishes when CS occurs without UCS.
Spontaneous Recovery: CR reappears after a rest.
Stimulus Generalization: Similar tones elicit the CR.
Stimulus Discrimination: Only the original CS continues to elicit the CR once discrimination is learned.
What was Pavlov’s contribution to psychology’s scientific development?
His rigorous, quantifiable methods established classical conditioning as a foundational learning process, influencing behaviourism and demonstrating that psychological phenomena can be studied with scientific precision.
