Key concepts of learning approach

Question 1

What is classical conditioning

Answer 1

A form of learning where a neutral stimulus is associated with an unconditional stimulus, taking on its properties so that a new stimulus- response is learned

Question 2

UCS
NS
CR
UCR
CS

Answer 2

Unconditional stimulus
Neutral stimulus
Conditioned response
Unconditional response
Conditioned stimulus

Question 3

What does UCS do to UCR

Answer 3

ucs triggers an ucs- smell of food (ucs) makes us salivate (ucr).2- any other stimulus does not produce the target response is an NS EG- sound of a bell. 3.The individual repeatedly experience the UCS and NS close together in time. NS is no longer neutral and individual is conditioned

Question 4

evaluation of classical conditioning

Answer 4

Incomplete explanation of learning as it fails to explain more complex behaviours that involve other learning processes. Eg, it can explain how a phobia is initiated ,but not maintained.
Some old experiment controls in the Little Albert experiment. Eg, conditioning took place is a controlled environment to prevent irrelevant stimuli from influencing procedure (like temperature and lighting).
Poor generalisability, Albert was the sole participant which limits the applicability of the findings. Albert was described as an emotionally stable baby who rarely cried. This is rare and therefore may not be representative of the whole population.
Classical conditioning is the basis of a therapy used to treat some psychological disorders including addiction. Therefore, CC has useful applications that can reduce suffering and increase quality of life, Think aversion therapy.

Question 5

Motivation for behaviour
Extrinsic rewards

Answer 5

Come from our environment, usually other people such as parents/ teachers/ friends like prize box

Question 6

Motivation for behaviour
Intrinsic rewards

Answer 6

This comes from within the individual, like doing hinge for your own enjoyment eg pursing a hobby/ interest

Question 7

Limitation of the COGNITIVE approach

Answer 7

It only focuses on the mental processing and ignores any emotions and social influences which make it hard to apply to real world issues

Question 8

A strength of the cognitive approach

Answer 8

One strength of the cognitive approach has real-life applications, that makes it useful. Research has shown that asking leading questions can alter a person’s memory of events. This has taught us to be cautious about accepting eyewitness testimony.

Question 9

One strength of the learning approach

Answer 9

One strength of the learning approach is that it is based on scientific methods. For example classical and operant conditoning theories are supported by lab experiments such as Pavlov’s and Skinner’s research. This means the approach is reliable because it uses controlled conditions to study observable behaviour.

Question 10

A weakness of the learning approach

Answer 10

One weakness of the learning approach is that it ignores the role of biology in behaviour. For example, it does not consider how genetics or brain structures may influence learning. This is a limitation because it gives an incomplete explanation of behaviour by focusing only on environmental factors.