The Learning Approach Flashcards
(33 cards)
What are the 2 components of the learning approach and what do they include?
- The behaviourist approach- only includes classical and operant conditioning
- Social learning theory
What was Pavlov’s research into classical conditioning?
(The behaviourist approach)
Carried out research to see if laboratory dogs could learn to salivate in response to a bell through classical conditioning
What is the order of classical conditioning?
(The behaviourist approach)
Stage 1: before conditioning
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)= Unconditioned response (UCR)
Stage 2: during conditioning
Neutral stimulus (NS) + Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) = Unconditioned response (UCR)
Stage 3: after conditioning
Conditioned stimulus (CS) = Conditioned response (CR)
What does extinction mean?
(The behaviourist approach)
If the conditioned stimulus is continually presented without the unconditioned stimulus, then the conditioned response gradually dies out or extinguishes
What does spontaneous recovery mean?
(The behaviourist approach)
If a conditioned response is not reinforced, it became extinguished. But after a period of rest, the response may suddenly reappear
What does discrimination mean?
(The behaviourist approach)
The ability to distinguish between a controlled stimulus and other similar stimuli that don’t signal an unconditioned stimulus
What does generalisation mean?
(The behaviourist approach)
Learning a conditioned response to something then relating the response to all things associated with it
What does one trial learning mean?
(The behaviourist approach)
When conditioning occurs immediately after one trial only
What are the 2 reinforcers of operant conditioning?
(The behaviourist approach)
- Primary reinforcers
- Secondary reinforcers
What are primary reinforcers?
(The behaviourist approach)
Fulfilling a biological need, such as food, drink, shelter and pleasure
What are secondary reinforcers?
(The behaviourist approach)
When a particular stimulus reinforces a certain behaviour via association with a primary reinforcer
What are 2 types of reinforcement schedules?
(The behaviourist approach)
- Continuous reinforcement
- Partial reinforcement
What is a continuous reinforcement schedule?
(The behaviourist approach)
Desired behaviour is reinforced every time it occurs- may result in a stronger response
What is a partial reinforcement schedule?
(The behaviourist approach)
Response is reinforced only as part of the time
What are the 3 types of reinforcement?
(The behaviourist approach)
- Positive reinforcement
- Negative reinforcement
- Punishment
What is positive reinforcement?
(The behaviourist approach)
Increasing the frequency of a desired behaviour by giving pleasant consequences
What is negative reinforcement?
(The behaviourist approach)
Increasing the frequency of a desired behaviour by removing something unpleasant
What is punishment?
(The behaviourist approach)
Decreasing the frequency of an undesired behaviour by giving unpleasant consequences
If the point is:
A strength of the behaviourist approach is that there’s lots of credible evidence to support it.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Little Albert had no major fears. Through the process of classical conditioning, he was taught to have a phobia of a white rat and generalised this to other white fluffy objects. Over a total of 7-8 pairings, researchers presented Albert with a white rat and a loud noise (UCS). As a result, eventually just giving little Albert the white rat by itself caused extreme anxiety, as the rat (CS) was associated with a lot sound (UCS) to create fear (CR).
Link- This means the approach has evidence to validate its claims and can be seen as falsifiable.
If the point is:
A strength of the behaviourist approach is that it’s praised for being extremely scientific.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- The approach uses both objective and falsifiable methods to study only observable behaviour that underline stimulus response links. For example, focusing on just the behavioural responses of spider phobics in response to spiders rather than internal cognitions.
Link- This means the behaviourist approach is likely to be trustworthy and reliable, deserving of respect.
If the point is:
A weakness of the behaviourist approach is that there’s methodological issues with some of the research in the behaviourist approach.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- For example, most of Pavlov’s research was on dogs, meaning it is hard to generalise the findings to humans.
Explanation- Similarly, studies like Little Albert were individual case studies, making it hard to generalise findings to others.
Link- All these issues limit the extent to which we can use this research to support the behaviourist explanations of human behaviour.
If the point is:
A strength of the behaviourist approach is that it has made significant contributions to help society, including accessible ways to treat mental health problems.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- For example, systematic desensitisation
Link- This means that the approach has ultimately benefitted society and can be seen as extremely useful.
What does imitation mean?
(Social learning theory)
Copying a behaviour
What does identification mean?
(Social learning theory)
Identifying with some, maybe the same gender as you, or someone you look up to.