LEARNING APPROACHES

• What are the main learning approaches discussed in the study material?

  Pavlov and Classical Conditioning, Skinner and Operant Conditioning, Bandura and Social Learning Theory
• What does the behaviourist approach include?

  • Classical conditioning (Pavlov's research)
  • Operant conditioning (Skinner's research)
  • Types of reinforcement
  • Social learning theory (Bandura's research)
• What is one assumption of the behaviourist approach?

  Behaviour is learned from experience
• Why is only observable behaviour considered measurable in the behaviourist approach?

  Because thought processes are subjective and difficult to test
• What is the significance of studying animal behaviour in the behaviourist approach?

  It is valid to study animals as they share the same principles of learning
• What does the behaviourist approach suggest about human beings at birth?

  We are born a blank slate, with no genetic influence on behaviour
• What was Pavlov's original area of research?

  The digestive system
• How did Pavlov discover classical conditioning?

  He noted that dogs salivated at the sight of food and associated it with other stimuli
• What controls did Pavlov implement in his experiments?

  He limited the dogs' movement and minimized distracting stimuli
• What was the main finding of Pavlov's research?

  Dogs could be trained to salivate to stimuli not naturally associated with food
• What is the process of classical conditioning as described by Pavlov?

  It involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response
• What are the key concepts of classical conditioning?

  1. Unconditioned reflex: unlearned connection between unconditioned stimulus and response
  2. Neutral stimulus paired with unconditioned stimulus
  3. Conditioned response produced after repeated pairings
  4. Generalisation, discrimination, and extinction
• What is generalisation in classical conditioning?

  It is when a different stimulus produces a similar response to the conditioned stimulus
• What is discrimination in classical conditioning?

  It is when an organism learns to respond differently to different stimuli
• What does extinction mean in classical conditioning?

  It is the reduction of the conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus
• What is a positive evaluation of Pavlov's research?

  It established findings in an objective manner under controlled conditions
• What is a negative evaluation of Pavlov's research?

  You cannot generalise findings from dogs to humans
• What are practical implications of classical conditioning?

  It has led to treatments for reducing anxiety associated with phobias
• What is systematic desensitisation?

  It is a therapy based on classical conditioning to eliminate learned anxious responses
• How did Watson and Rayner support Pavlov's findings?

  They demonstrated classical conditioning principles with a child and a rat
• What is the concept of preparedness proposed by Seligman?

  It explains that animals are prepared to learn associations significant for their survival
• What is the main difference between Pavlov's and Skinner's research?

  Pavlov focused on reflexes shaped by the environment, while Skinner focused on freely made behaviours
• What are operands in Skinner's research?

  Behaviours that are freely made by the animal operating on the environment
• What was the main finding of Skinner's experiments with rats?

  The rat learned the link between lever pressing and food delivery
• What is positive reinforcement?

  It is a pleasurable consequence that increases the likelihood of a behaviour
• What is negative reinforcement?

  It is the avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behaviour
• What is positive punishment?

  It is an aversive consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour
• What is negative punishment?

  It is the removal of a pleasant stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour
• What is continuous reinforcement?

  It is when an animal is rewarded every time it performs a behaviour
• What is variable ratio reinforcement?

  It is a schedule where rewards are given on average every nth response, but the actual gap varies
• What is a positive evaluation of Skinner's research?

  Skinner's experiments were well controlled
• What is a negative evaluation of Skinner's research?

  It makes too little of internal factors influencing behaviour
• What are practical applications of operant conditioning?

  It has been used in token economies to encourage appropriate behaviour
• What did Paul and Lentz (1977) find regarding token economies?

  Patients developed social and work-related skills and reduced symptoms
• What did Griffit and Guay (1969) find about relationships and operant conditioning?

  People tend to like individuals who provide direct reinforcement
• What is a token economy?

  A system where individuals receive tokens for appropriate behavior.
• How can tokens in a token economy be used?

  Tokens can be exchanged for rewards.
• In what settings have token economies been used?

  In hospitals or other institutions.
• What were the findings of Paul and Lentz (1977) regarding token economies?

  Patients developed social skills, self-care abilities, and reduced symptoms.
• What is the main claim of Griffit and Guay (1969) regarding relationships?

  We like individuals who provide direct reinforcement.