LEARNING APPROACH

• Assumptions

  • Only studies behaviour that can be observed and measured
  • Ignores mental processes of the mind (e.g. rejected introspection, vague concept)
  • More control and objectivity within research
  • Rely on lab experiments
  • Basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species (therefore allowing animal studies)
• There are two forms of learning:

  Classical conditioning

  Operant conditioning
• Classical conditioning


  Learning through association. Demonstrated by Ian Pavlov.

  Occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together (UCS and NS) The NS eventually produces the same response first produced by the UCS
• Pavlov's research (CC)


  • Food (UCS) produced response of salivation from dog (UCR)
  • Bell (NS) paired with dog, no response
  • Bell (NS) paired with food (UCS) to produce salivation (UCR)
  • Dog is then conditioned to produced a conditioned response of salivation when the bell is rung (CS)
  • Dog associates the response to food (Salivation) to the noise of the bell
• Operant conditioning 


  Learning through consequence. BF Skinner.

  A form of learning where behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Consequences include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment
• BF Skinner- research (OC)

  • Skinners box
  • Studied rats in a box
  • Every time rat activated lever, rewarded (PR) with food pellet
  • Animal would continue to perform behaviour
  • Also would shock the rat with electricity to show animals would repeat behaviour to avoid unpleasant punishment
• Positive reinforcement


  Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed. This may increase the likelihood of that behaviour
• Negative reinforcement


  When an animal or human avoids something unpleasant (such as a punishment). This may ..
• Punishment


  An unpleasant consequence of behaviour. Punishment will lead to negative reinforcement to avoid it and will decrease likelihood of behaviour