LEARNING THEORIES classical conditioning

Question 1

what is a reflex

Answer 1

an automatic response to a stimuli

Question 2

explain the theory behind classical conditioning

Answer 2

learning through association - assumes learning is passive and is based on reflex behaviours that all humans and animals have

Question 3

explain the diagram for classical conditioning

Answer 3

UCS ————- UCR
UCS + NS ————- UCR
CS ————— CR

Question 4

what is the UCS

Answer 4

unconditional stimuli - something that naturally has the power to produce a response

Question 5

what is the UCR

Answer 5

unconditional response - a natural response to an unconditional stimuli (not learnt)

Question 6

what is the NS

Answer 6

neutral stimuli - has no potential to cause a reflex response before it is paired with the unconditional stimuli

Question 7

what is the CS

Answer 7

conditioned stimuli - results from the pairing of the neutral stimuli with an unconditioned stimulus

Question 8

what is the CR

Answer 8

conditioned response - the learned response to the conditioned stimuli

Question 9

what are the 4 properties of classical conditioning

Answer 9

extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalisation, discrimination

Question 10

explain how extinction occurs

Answer 10

when an association is no longer present

Question 11

explain how spontaneous recovery occurs

Answer 11

after extinction when an association reappears without re-conditioning

Question 12

how does generalisation occur

Answer 12

when a stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus produces a conditioned response

Question 13

how does discrimination occur

Answer 13

when the conditioning is focused on a specific stimulus

Question 14

positives of the theory

Answer 14

• supporting evidence from Pavlov - classical conditioning of salivation process in dogs when hearing a metronome - credibility
• scientific credibility - carried out in highly controlled lab experiments - looks at observable behaviours - not internal mental processes
• useful application - therapeutic - systematic desensitisation - phobias

Question 15

negatives of the theory

Answer 15

• credibility - vast amount of knowledge has been obtained by using animals - generalising findings to humans is not possible
• nature vs nurture - fails to acknowledge that behaviour can be innate - reflex responses are present from birth - learning reduced to nurture
• reductionist - isolates a response to a stimulus - focuses on new behaviour - ignores mental processes and genes