4A Approaches to understanding learning

Learning and Behaviourist approaches to learning

• Learning - the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, or behaviours through experience

• Behaviourist approaches to learning - theories that propose learning occurs by interacting with the external environment.

Classical conditioning

A process of learning through the involuntary association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus that results in a conditioned response

Before conditioning (+ neutral stimulus, unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response) + examples

• Neutral stimulus - the stimulus that produces no significant response prior to conditioning e.g. bell

• Unconditioned stimulus - the stimulus that produces an unconscious response e.g. food

• Unconditioned response - a naturally occurring behaviour in response to a stimulus e.g. salivating from food

During conditioning + example + notes

During conditioning - the second stage of classical conditioning, during which the neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with the unconditioned stimulus, producing the unconditioned response

• timing + order of presenting N.S. + U.C.S. is important

• N.S. presented first, remaining until U.C.S. is presented within half a second (U.C.S. not any later than this)

• e.g. repeated presentation of bell sound (N.S.) w/ dog food (U.C.S.) -> produces U.C.R. of salivation (food was presented first, then bell presented directly afterwards)

After conditioning (+ conditioned stimulus and conditioned response) + examples

After conditioning - the third stage of classical conditioning, during which the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus, producing a conditioned response

• C.R. will be similar to the U.C.R.

Conditioned stimulus - the stimulus (originally the neutral stimulus) that produces a conditioned response after being repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus. e.g. sound of bell became C.S. after conditioning had occurred

Conditioned response - the response that occurs involuntarily after the conditioned stimulus is presented. e.g. salivating in response to bell