classical conditioning evaluation

Question 1

what is the supporting research from watson and rayner?

Answer 1

• able to condition little albert to have a fear of white rats by pairing the rat with the sound of a metal bar being struck
• this fear was then generalised to other items e.g. white rabbit and santa mask

Question 2

why is research into classical conditioning being scientific useful?

Answer 2

• e.g brain imaging and lab studies with animals in controlled conditions
• looks at behaviours which are observable
• adds to credibility

Question 3

what is the issue with much research being carried out on animals?

Answer 3

• evolutionary discontinuity e.g. humans have a more developed PFC
• lowers generalisability

Question 4

what is another theory that can be used to explain behaviour?

Answer 4

• social learning theory
• includes cognitions aswell as behaviours from seeing the role models
• better at explaining more complex behaviours by observing and imitating compared to making associations and generalising which would take much longer

Question 5

what is the application of aversion therapy?

Answer 5

• associating dysfunctional behaviour with an UCR to produce a new CS and so a new CR

Question 6

is classical conditioning deterministic and why?

Answer 6

• yes because they dont have any control over the reactions they have learned from the process of classical conditioning

Question 7

what is the study of Jansen which can support classical conditioning as a theory?

Answer 7

• can understand obesity
• overweight children have acquired a strong association between cues that predict the arrival of food and the response of salivation
• leads to overeating

Question 8

how can capafons be used as a supporting study?

Answer 8

• showed an improvement in the fear of flying in people who went through the process of systematic desensitisation
• shows the principles of classical conditioning are valid

Question 9

how does the study of Pollak et al support the process of generaliation?

Answer 9

• when shown an angry face on a computer screen abused childrens brain waves are stronger and longer than non-abused children

Question 10

what is the practical application linking to advertisements?

Answer 10

• classical conditioning is used to make people buy the products by associating it with a good feeling or outcome

Question 11

why is classical conditioning considered reductioninst?

Answer 11

• complex behaviour is broken down into smaller stimulus response units of behaviour