Summary: Learning Theories

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• 1 Learning theories

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• What is the process of classical conditioning?

  UCS(unconditioned stimulus) leads to a UCR(unconditoned response) 
  The UCS is then paired with a neutral stimulus, and this leads to the NS becoming a conditioned stimulus(CS) which leads to an CR(conditioned response).

• What is extinction, spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalisation, and discrimination?

  Extinction: When the conditioned response is forgotten, when the association from classical conditioning is no longer present.
  Spontaneous recovery: After extinction, an association can reappear without re-conditioning this is what it is.
  Stimulus generalisation: When a stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus creates the conditioned response.
  Discrimination: when the conditioned stimulus is very specific so is not generalised to anything else.

• What did Pavlov notice in his 1927 study?

  That if a buzzer/bell went off at the same time as dogs were fed they would salivate at the sound of the bell. This has been applied to explain how certain behaviours are learned for example, phobias.

• What was the process of Pavlov's study with the dogs?

  UCS(food) - - - - UCR(salivating)
  UCS + NS(buzzer) - - - - - UCR (REPEAT)
  CS(buzzer) - - - - - CR(salivating)

• What were the strengths of Pavlov's study?

  it was highly controlled, it had a standardised procedure so it was objective and more scientifically credible. 
  it was also useful for treatment of alcoholism.
  It was reliable too because the procedure was repeated many time s and the same results were obtained.   
  Some weaknesses say dogs brains are different to ours so it was not classical conditioning, but all dog owners know that dogs link leads with going for a walk.

• What are the weaknesses of Pavlov's study?

  Dogs were used so it cannot be accurately representative for humans. 
  It was also an unnatural environment for the dogs so the ecological validity is low.

• In skinners box what punishment did they use for if the rat would get food or not?

  if the light in the box was on then the rat would receive food but if it was off when they pressed the lever they would receive a shock, this was positive punishment.

• What is variable ratio?

  Reward and punishment are given randomly, this is the most effective because you never know when the consequences are going to come.

• What are the main features of social learning theory?

  Observation, modelling, imitation and reinforcement. It is also relevant that we are more likely to imitate a person who has been reinforced for their behaviour.

• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  Reinforcement that is received directly from observing another person who has been reinforced.