(FINISH FLASHCARDS) Approches -> Biological Approach

Question 1

Basic assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 1

• psychology should restrict itself to studying observable behaviours
• the behaviourist approach is not concerned with studying unobservable mental processes such as thoughts or feelings
• two forms of learning: operant conditioning, classical conditioning

Question 2

Outline classical conditioning (background, definitions)

Answer 2

Classical conditioning = learning through association
First described by psychologist pavlov

• All animals are born with a number of natural reflexes of which are made up of a stimulus
• Stimulus is known as as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and its naturally associated response is the unconditioned response

Question 3

Information about the neutral stimulus (Hint: Define what a NS is then talk about the situations of a NS)

Answer 3

A neutral stimulus (NS) is a stimulus that would not naturally cause any response

• Sometimes a NS will be paired with a Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
• If the NS is consistently paired with the UCS, it will be associated with the UCS
• Eventually the NS alone will trigger the unconditioned response (UCR)
• THE NS will become the Conditioned response (CS) and the response to the CS will be the conditioned response (CR)

Question 4

The process of conditioning

Answer 4

Before conditiong
UCS > UCR
NS > No response

During conditioning
UCS + NS > UCR

After conditioning
CS > CR

Question 5

Pavlov demonstrated that dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if it was repeatedly presented at the same time they were given food.

What would be the process of conditioning

Answer 5

Before conditioning
Food (UCS) > Salivation (UCR)
Bell (NS) > No response

During conditioning
Food (UCS) = Bell (NS) > Salivation (UCR)

After conditioning
Bell (CS) > Salivation (CR)

Question 6

Outline operant conditioning
(background, definitions)

Answer 6

Operant conditioning: Learning through consequences

According to operant conditioning
- If a behaviour is reinforced, it’s more likely it will be repeated

Question 7

What are the two types of reinforcement

Answer 7

Positive reinforcement: Occurs when an animal receives something pleasant for performing a behaviou r

Negative reinforcement: Occurs when an animal avoids something unpleasant by performing a behaviour