Learning Approach Flashcards
(119 cards)
1
Q
What does the learning approach emphasize?
A
The learning approach emphasizes that we are a product of our experience (learning) and incorporates both Behaviourism and Social Learning Theory.
2
Q
According to the Behaviourist Approach, what are we born as?
A
We are born a ‘blank slate’ with no genetic influence on behaviour.
3
Q
What is one of the basic assumptions of the behaviourist approach?
A
Behaviour is learned from experience.
4
Q
What do behaviourists believe should be ignored in studying behaviour?
A
Genetic influences on behaviour.
5
Q
How should behaviour be studied according to the Behaviourist Approach?
A
Behaviour should be studied through lab experiments to maintain objectivity.
6
Q
What processes govern learning according to the behaviourist approach?
A
The basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species.
7
Q
What is classical conditioning?
A
Classical conditioning is learning by association.
8
Q
What are the key components of Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments?
A
- Unconditioned stimulus
- Conditioned stimulus
- Unconditioned response
- Conditioned response
9
Q
What does operant conditioning involve according to Skinner’s theory?
A
- Positive reinforcement
- Negative reinforcement
- Positive punishment
- Negative punishment
10
Q
What is the key idea behind classical conditioning?
A
Learning occurs when an association is made between a previously neutral stimulus and a reflex response.
11
Q
What type of response can occur from classical conditioning?
A
Both positive and negative responses.
12
Q
What is a common outcome of classical conditioning in humans?
A
The acquisition of a phobia through association between an object/situation and fear.
13
Q
Fill in the blank: Classical conditioning is learning by _______.
A
[association]
14
Q
True or False: According to the behaviourist approach, thoughts should be studied as they are subjective and difficult to test.
A
False
15
Q
Who was Ivan Petrovich Pavlov?
A
A physiologist known for his research on the digestive system of dogs and classical conditioning
He won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1904.
16
Q
What is classical conditioning?
A
A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response
First described by Pavlov in 1904 through his experiments with dogs.
17
Q
What does UCS stand for?
A
Unconditioned Stimulus
18
Q
What does UCR stand for?
A
Unconditioned Response
19
Q
What does NS stand for?
A
Neutral Stimulus
20
Q
What does CS stand for?
A
Conditioned Stimulus
21
Q
What does CR stand for?
A
Conditioned Response
22
Q
In Pavlov’s experiment, what was the unconditioned stimulus?
A
Food
23
Q
In Pavlov’s experiment, what was the unconditioned response?
A
Salivation to food
24
Q
What was the neutral stimulus in Pavlov’s experiment?
A
Bell
25
What was the conditioned response in Pavlov's experiment?
Salivation to the sound of the bell
26
What is the significance of Pavlov's experiment?
It demonstrated the association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus leading to a conditioned response
27
Who was 'Little Albert'?
A boy conditioned to fear rats by Watson & Rayner through classical conditioning
28
What ethical concerns are associated with Pavlov's research?
Surgery on dogs' saliva glands and the use of harnesses during experiments
29
What is a limitation of Pavlov's research regarding animal studies?
Findings may not be generalizable to human behavior due to differences in free will
30
What is a strength of Pavlov's research?
Use of controlled conditions allowed for establishing cause and effect relationships
31
Fill in the blank: Pavlov's research showed that if a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, it becomes a _______.
Conditioned Stimulus
32
True or False: Pavlov's conclusions about classical conditioning apply equally to human behavior as they do to animal behavior.
False
33
What inspired Pavlov's research?
The ideas of Charles Darwin and I.M. Sechenov
34
What was the main focus of Pavlov's initial research?
The digestive system of dogs
35
What is operant conditioning?
A learning principle of the behaviourist approach that works on the principle of learning by consequences (reinforcement) of one's behaviour.
36
What does reinforcement mean in the context of operant conditioning?
Something in the environment that strengthens a behaviour and makes it more likely to occur.
37
Give an example of positive reinforcement.
Giving a dog a treat every time it sits on command.
38
What is negative reinforcement?
Occurs when the individual is rewarded by avoiding something unpleasant.
39
What is punishment in operant conditioning?
An unpleasant consequence of a behaviour that makes it less likely to reoccur.
40
Who is Burrhus Frederic Skinner?
A major force in the behaviourism movement who studied operant conditioning.
41
What was Skinner's 'Skinner Box' used for?
To conduct experiments on animals to investigate the role of reward and punishment in shaping behaviour.
42
What did Skinner demonstrate with positive reinforcement using a rat?
The rat learned to push a lever to receive food as a reward.
43
How did Skinner demonstrate negative reinforcement in his experiments?
By subjecting a rat to an unpleasant electric current and rewarding it by turning it off when the lever was pressed.
44
What is one strength of Skinner's research?
He used controlled conditions to discover causal relationships between variables.
45
What is a limitation of Skinner's research?
He studied non-human animals, which some critics argue does not provide valid insights into human behaviour.
46
True or False: Skinner believed that free will influences human behaviour.
False. Skinner argued that free will was merely an illusion.
47
What is a second limitation of Skinner's research?
It could be considered unethical due to the pain and anxiety caused to animals in experiments.
48
Fill in the blank: Skinner's research provided insight into the role of _______ on behaviour.
operant conditioning
49
What ethical guidelines did Skinner's research potentially violate?
BPS guidelines regarding the treatment of animals in research.
50
What was the purpose of the 'baby tender' designed by Skinner?
To create a safer crib for infants.
51
What was Project Pigeon?
An initiative during World War II where pigeons were trained to direct bombs by pecking at a target.
52
What does the behaviourist approach suggest about behaviour?
Behaviour is learned from experience and is environmentally determined.
53
What is the belief of behaviourists regarding genetic influence on behaviour?
We are born a blank slate and there is no genetic influence on behaviour.
54
What type of behaviour do behaviourists believe should be studied?
Only observable behaviour.
55
What methods do behaviourists prefer for investigating human behaviour?
Lab experiments.
56
What are the two types of conditioning that behaviourists believe in?
* Operant conditioning
* Classical conditioning
57
What is operant conditioning?
Learning through the consequences of behaviour (positive/negative reinforcement).
58
What is classical conditioning?
Learning through association.
59
What is a strength of the behaviourist approach regarding its applications?
It has produced successful treatments for phobias and patients in institutions.
60
What is systematic desensitization?
A treatment that eliminates the learned anxious response associated with a feared object or situation.
61
What does the token economy system do?
Rewards appropriate behaviour with tokens that are exchanged for privileges.
62
For which type of patients is the token economy system suitable?
Patients who lack insight into their condition and cannot talk about their problems.
63
What evidence supports the behaviourist approach?
Skinner's demonstration of positive and negative reinforcement conditioning behaviour.
64
Who conducted a classical conditioning experiment with dogs?
Pavlov.
65
What was the outcome of Pavlov's experiment with dogs?
Dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell.
66
What is a criticism of the behaviourist approach?
It is over-simplistic and favours the nurture side of the nature vs nurture debate.
67
What do behavioural psychologists ignore in their explanations of behaviour?
Biological factors such as genes or hormones.
68
What limitation does the behaviourist approach have regarding free will?
It supports the determinism side of the freewill vs determinism debate.
69
What does Skinner argue about free will?
Freewill is merely an illusion.
70
What is one real-world application of operant conditioning mentioned?
Training pigeons to guide and release bombs during the Second World War.
71
Fill in the blank: The behaviourist approach has enhanced the _______ status of psychology.
scientific
72
Who is the founder of Social Learning Theory?
Albert Bandura
## Footnote
Bandura has received over sixteen honorary degrees and was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1980.
73
What is a key contribution of Bandura to social psychology?
Uncovering the influence of observation on human learning
## Footnote
He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2014 for this contribution.
74
How does Bandura's theory differ from strict behaviorism?
It considers thought processes underlying behavior
## Footnote
Bandura challenges Skinner's idea that rewards and punishments automatically prompt or stop behavior.
75
What does Bandura argue about reinforcers and punishments?
They inform individuals of likely consequences
## Footnote
It is up to the individual whether their behavior is affected by potential consequences.
76
What does the term 'vicarious learning' refer to?
Learning behavior by observing the consequences of someone else's behavior
## Footnote
The individual does not receive the reward or punishment directly.
77
What are the basic assumptions of Social Learning Theory?
* Behavior is learned from the environment
* Genetics do not influence behavior
* Behavior is learned from observing others
* Individuals decide whether to imitate behavior based on experiences
78
What is 'identification' in the context of Social Learning Theory?
When an individual is influenced by another because they are similar or wish to be like them
## Footnote
Factors influencing model choice include same gender, ethnicity, higher status, and greater expertise.
79
Define 'imitation' in Social Learning Theory.
Observing behavior from a role model and copying it
## Footnote
Determinants of imitation include model characteristics, observer's ability, and observed consequences.
80
What is 'modelling'?
Observing the behavior of a role model
## Footnote
Models can be live (e.g., parents) or symbolic (e.g., TV characters).
81
What is 'vicarious reinforcement'?
Reinforcement the observer sees the model receiving
## Footnote
It increases the likelihood of behavior imitation.
82
List the four mediational processes documented by Bandura.
* Attention
* Retention
* Motor reproduction
* Motivation
83
What does 'attention' refer to in the context of imitation?
Noticing a behavior
## Footnote
Attention is crucial for whether a behavior will be imitated.
84
What is 'retention' in Social Learning Theory?
Forming a memory of the observed behavior
## Footnote
It is vital for later imitation.
85
Define 'motor reproduction'.
The ability to physically imitate a behavior
## Footnote
Physical limitations can influence the decision to imitate.
86
What is 'motivation' in the context of Bandura's theory?
The desire to perform the observed behavior
## Footnote
It is influenced by perceived rewards and costs.
87
Fill in the blank: In Social Learning Theory, ARRM stands for _______.
[Attention, Retention, Motor Reproduction, Motivation]
88
Provide an example illustrating the ARRM model.
Natasha observes her mum putting on lipstick, remembers how to do it, is able to apply it, and desires the compliments her mother receives.
89
What was the aim of Bandura's research?
To examine if children will imitate an aggressive adult model and to discover the extent to which the gender of the model influences the child's motivation to imitate
## Footnote
Bandura, Ross & Ross (1961)
90
What was the age range of participants in Bandura's study?
Participants were aged 37 to 69 months (mean age - just over 4 years)
91
What types of role models did participants observe in Bandura's study?
Aggressive and non-aggressive role models
92
What was the control group in Bandura's study?
A group that was not exposed to any model
93
What objects were present in the room during Bandura's experiment?
A Bobo doll, a hammer, and other toys
94
What behavior did the aggressive model exhibit in Bandura's study?
Hit the Bobo doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it
95
How did the non-aggressive model behave in Bandura's study?
Played with toys and ignored the Bobo doll
96
What was the outcome for children who observed aggressive behavior?
They acted more aggressively
97
Which gender acted more aggressively according to Bandura's findings?
Boys acted more aggressively than girls
98
What is the term for learning social behavior by observing others?
Social learning
99
What conclusion did Bandura draw from his research?
Children learn social behavior such as aggression by observing the behaviors of others, especially when modeled by someone of the same gender
100
What did Bandura's follow-up study in 1963 involve?
Children watched a film of a model punching and screaming at a Bobo doll with different outcomes: rewarded, punished, or neutral ending
101
What is a strength of Bandura's research?
Used the experimental method with controlled conditions to establish a causal relationship
102
What is a limitation regarding ecological validity in Bandura's studies?
Conducted in an unfamiliar controlled environment with no interaction between the child and the model
103
Why is the use of children as participants considered a limitation in Bandura's studies?
Children may have believed they were being tested for the 'right' response, affecting their behavior
104
What ethical concern is raised by Bandura's experiment?
Participants experienced aggression arousal which could have caused psychological harm
105
Fill in the blank: Children learn social behavior such as aggression by observing the behaviors of others, most likely when the behavior is modeled by someone of the _______.
same gender
106
What does Social Learning Theory suggest about how we learn behavior?
We learn how to behave by observing the positive and negative consequences of someone else's behavior (vicarious reinforcement).
107
Who proposed the Social Learning Theory?
Albert Bandura.
108
What is modeling in the context of Social Learning Theory?
Modeling occurs when an individual observes the behavior of a role model (e.g. a parent, teacher, or a character on T.V).
109
What are the four mediational processes documented by Bandura?
* Attention
* Retention
* Motor reproduction
* Motivation
110
How does identification with a model affect imitation according to Bandura?
Imitation is more likely to happen if the individual identifies with the model (the model is similar to the observer or they wish to be like them).
111
What is a strength of Social Learning Theory regarding cultural differences?
It helps us to understand cultural differences in behavior and how cultural norms are transmitted through society.
112
How can Social Learning Theory explain gender role acquisition?
It enhances our understanding of how children acquire their gender role through exposure to different models.
113
What is a limitation of Social Learning Theory in the nature vs nurture debate?
It favours only the nurture side and ignores biological factors that contribute to behavior (e.g. genes or hormones).
114
What criticism is directed at Bandura's research findings?
Bandura is criticized for ignoring biological components of aggression, as boys were found to be more aggressive than girls regardless of the experimental setting.
115
What evidence supports Social Learning Theory according to Bandura's studies?
Children who observed an aggressive model behaved more aggressively than those who observed a non-aggressive model.
116
What does Bandura's research suggest about same-sex role models?
There was a greater level of imitation of same-sex role models.
117
What is the implication of Bandura's emphasis on mediating processes?
There is more than one factor causing behavior, and the individual has at least some control over their actions.
118
How does Social Learning Theory compare to operant or classical conditioning?
It provides a more holistic and less deterministic view of behavior.
119
Fill in the blank: The four elements of Bandura's mediational processes are attention, retention, ________, and motivation.
[motor reproduction]
