Learning Theory

• Learning theory - behaviour is learned rather than innate and is focused on experience
• Learning theory

  1. Classical conditioning
  2. Operant conditioning
  3. Drive reduction
• 1. Classical conditioning

  • UCS causes an UCR while NS causes no response, UCS is presented with NS causing UCR, UCS can be taken away, CS causes CR
  • this is how we learn to associate caregiver with pleasure through food as the UCS
• 2. Operant conditioning

  • behaviour is repeated (or not) depending on the consequence (reinforcement/punishment) which is a two-way process
• 3. Drive reduction

  • caregiver provides food so the primary drive of hunger gets generalised to them
  • this makes them a secondary drive
• (Lt) - Based on animal research

  • results may not be generalisable to humans as there's many mental/behavioural differences between animals and humans
• (Lt) + Animal studies

  • allow research that isnt possible to conduct with humans (multi generational comparisons etc.)
• (Lt) - Cant explain all factors

  • there is some evidence to suggest that behaviour is innate (e.g. crying at birth cant be learned but still happens)