classical conditioning

• assumptions

  -all behaviour is learned through classical and operant conditioning:

  >classical = association -operant = reinforcement

  -only observable behaviour is relevant, not mental processes
• classical conditioning 


  learning to associate two stimuli when they occur together, the response caused by one stimulus is transferred to the other
• classical conditioning study by who and when

  pavlov 1927
• what was pavlovs 1927 study


  -wanted to make dogs salivate by the sound of a bell rather than food

  -measured the amounts of saliva secreted
• pavlov 1927 dog study


  before:

  food=UCS > salivation=UCR

  bell=NS > no saliavtion=NR

  
  

  during:

  bell + food > salivation=UCR

  
  

  after:

  bell=CS > salivation=CR
• generalisation?


  the conditioned response transfers to similar stimuli
• extinction?


  if the conditioned response continues without the conditioned stimulus then the conditioned response weakens
• classical conditioning AO3 - use of experiments to test

  -insisted on:

  • objectivity
  • control over variables
  • precise measurements = infer about cause and effect
  • :) gives psychology greater credibility and respect
• classical conditioning AO3 - irl application, little albert study


  -conditioned an 18 month old baby to develop a phobia of a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise
• little albert study


  before:

  loud noise=UCS > anxiety=UCR

  during:

  loud noise=UCS + white rat=NS > anxiety=UCR

  after:

  white rat=CS > anxiety=CR
• little albert evaluation

  :) supports generalisation = also conditioned the baby to be scared of similar stimuli (furry white object)

  :) valuable contribution to society = explanation for phobias

  :( ethical issues = psychological harm, consent, right to withdraw
• classical conditioning AO3 - generalisability

  -human behaviour is driven by complex emotions and thought processes which cant all be observed so we cant confidently generalise.

  -much of human behaviour is voluntary so therefore cant be explained by classical conditioning
• classical conditioning AO3 - other factors

  biological factors = genes, hormones and brain structure have also been shown to play a role in learning