classical conditioning

Question 1

how do people learn through classical conditioning?

Answer 1

via association

Question 2

define ‘unconditioned stimulus’

Answer 2

stimuli which naturally elicits a response

Question 3

define ‘unconditioned response’

Answer 3

the natural response to an unconditioned stimulus

Question 4

define ‘neutral stimulus’

Answer 4

a stimulus which does not naturally elicit a response

Question 5

define ‘conditioned stimulus’

Answer 5

a neutral stimulus that, when paired with an unconditioned stimulus elicits the same response

Question 6

define ‘conditioned response’

Answer 6

a response that is learned by pairing the originally neutral stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus

Question 7

state the 5 concepts of classical conditioning

Answer 7

• generalisation
• discrimination
• extinction
• spontaneous recovery
• one trial learning

Question 8

describe ‘generalisation’

Answer 8

extension of the association from the original stimulus to similar stimuli

Question 9

describe ‘discrimination’

Answer 9

the conditioned response is only produced by the original stimulus and not similar stimuli

Question 10

describe ‘extinction’

Answer 10

the conditioned response gradually dying out after the conditioned and unconditioned stimulus are not presented together for a period of time

Question 11

describe ‘spontaneous recovery’

Answer 11

a previously extinguished conditioned response reappears

Question 12

describe ‘one trial learning’

Answer 12

learning takes place in a single pairing of a response and stimulus, and is not strengthened over time by repeated exposure

Question 13

what is a strength of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- supporting evidence pavlov

Answer 13

a strength of classical conditioning is the supporting evidence from pavlov’s study. dogs were conditioned to salivate at the sound of a metronome as this neutral stimulus was paired consistently with an unconditioned stimulus (food). 11 drops of saliva were collected when the metronome sounded without the food, after 45 seconds. therefore, this quantitative analysis suggests that learning through classical conditioning is a credible explanation of learning behaviours.

Question 14

what is a weakness of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- pavlov criticism

Answer 14

a weakness of classical conditioning is that the supporting evidence from pavlov lacks generalisability. the research was done on dogs which have different cerebral cortexes to humans. the cerebral cortex plays a role in memory, problem solving and reasoning. therefore, these findings cannot accurately represent the way humans learn.

Question 15

what is a strength of classical conditioning (PEECA)?
- supporting evidence watson and rayner

Answer 15

a strength of classical conditioning is that it is supported by the study of Watson and Rayner. they classically conditioned little Albert to develop a phobia of a white rat by introducing it at the same time as banging a metal bar. Albert associated the scary noise with the rat so began to cry at the sight of only the rat. The study also supports the idea of generalisation because similar stimuli such as a santa mask also produced the same conditioned response. therefore, this suggests that children can develop phobias through classical conditioning. however, the study lacks reliability. Albert was an unusual child who grew up in a hospital setting so whilst this also reduces the generalisability to other children, it also means it is unethical to easily replicate and check for consistency.

Question 16

what is a strength of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- application

Answer 16

a strength of classical conditioning is that there are practical applications. for example, in Little Albert’s case study, it was found that phobias can be classically conditioned into a child. therefore, the feared stimuli could be associated with relaxation in order to reverse this. so, it is a useful theory in treating phobias.

Question 17

what is a weakness of classical conditioning (PEE)?
- criticism (reductionist)

Answer 17

a weakness of classical conditioning is that it is a reductionist explanation. this is because it oversimplifies the acquisition of behaviour. for example, there are other biological factors such as hormones (testosterone) or genetics which impact how we behave. therefore, it is an incomplete explanation of how we learn because it oversimplifies learning to association of a neutral and unconditioned stimulus and ignoring biological factors.

Question 18

what is an alternate theory for classical conditioning (PEE)?

Answer 18

an alternate theory to classical conditioning is operant conditioning. this is where learning takes place due to consequences and reinforcement or punishment. classical conditioning does not consider the effect of reward and punishment in the learning process which makes it an oversimplified explanation. therefore, operant conditioning might be a more detailed concept because it suggests that even if an association forms, the behaviour may only be learnt or continue if it is positively reinforced.