Learning theories
Psychology
,Classical Conditioning
It involves involuntary behaviors such as reflexes, salivation and
fear responses.
It explains how an association is formed between a neutral
stimulus (NS) and an unconditioned stimulus (UCS).
A neutral stimulus is something that does not bring about a
certain response.
An unconditioned stimulus does bring about a natural response-
called an unconditioned response (USR).
The NS can be paired with a UCS in order to create a conditioned
response (CR) – the NS becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS).
,Classical conditioning
Further features:
• Higher order conditioning- the conditioning can occur with other neutral
stimuli
• Generalization- where the conditioning is generalized to similar stimuli
• Discrimination- where the conditioning is made to only happen towards
one particular stimulus
• Extinction- when the association between the CS and CR is no longer
there
• Spontaneous recovery- after extinction where the association can
suddenly reappear.
, Classical Conditioning
Strengths Weaknesses
• Application: therapists can • Objections: it does not explain all types
of behavior, specifically more complex
apply the mechanisms to behaviour where cognition is involved,
treat people with phobias e.g. making personal choices.
or addictions. • Objections: most of the research is
conducted on animals so we should be
• Credibility: it is supported cautious when equating animal
behaviour to human behaviour because
by overwhelming evidence humans have choice and ability to
from research, i.e. Pavlov's select which behaviors to adopt.
dogs or Watson and Rayner • Differences: social learning theory is a
more complete way of explaining
acquisition of behavior.
Psychology
,Classical Conditioning
It involves involuntary behaviors such as reflexes, salivation and
fear responses.
It explains how an association is formed between a neutral
stimulus (NS) and an unconditioned stimulus (UCS).
A neutral stimulus is something that does not bring about a
certain response.
An unconditioned stimulus does bring about a natural response-
called an unconditioned response (USR).
The NS can be paired with a UCS in order to create a conditioned
response (CR) – the NS becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS).
,Classical conditioning
Further features:
• Higher order conditioning- the conditioning can occur with other neutral
stimuli
• Generalization- where the conditioning is generalized to similar stimuli
• Discrimination- where the conditioning is made to only happen towards
one particular stimulus
• Extinction- when the association between the CS and CR is no longer
there
• Spontaneous recovery- after extinction where the association can
suddenly reappear.
, Classical Conditioning
Strengths Weaknesses
• Application: therapists can • Objections: it does not explain all types
of behavior, specifically more complex
apply the mechanisms to behaviour where cognition is involved,
treat people with phobias e.g. making personal choices.
or addictions. • Objections: most of the research is
conducted on animals so we should be
• Credibility: it is supported cautious when equating animal
behaviour to human behaviour because
by overwhelming evidence humans have choice and ability to
from research, i.e. Pavlov's select which behaviors to adopt.
dogs or Watson and Rayner • Differences: social learning theory is a
more complete way of explaining
acquisition of behavior.
