Behaviourist approach

Question 1

Explain classical conditioning

Answer 1

• Ivan Pavlov (1927)
• Learning through association
• Unconditioned stimulus (food) produces unconditioned response (salivation)
• A neutral stimulus (bell) can become conditioned (produce response) through association with unconditioned stimulus

Question 2

Explain operant conditioning

Answer 2

• B.F. Skinner (1953)
• Learning through consequences
• Positive and negative reinforcement (receive something good, something bad removed)
• Positive and negative punishment (receive something bad, something good removed)

Question 3

How is an electrical impulse within a neuron created?

Answer 3

The cell body has a negative charge when in rest. A stimulus triggers a positive charge which creates action potential, and then turns into an electrical impulse.

Question 4

What is summation?

Answer 4

• Upon receiving a stimulus, a neuron sums all excitatory and inhibitory influences
• Overall more positive -> more likely to fire
• Overall more negative -> less likely to fire