psych learning test

learning

any relatively permanent change in behaviour as a result of practice or experience in the environment

classical conditioning

learning where a response can be elicited by a formerly neutral stimulus which prior to conditioning would evoke no response.

neutral stimulus

stimulus that creates no reflex response

unconditioned stimulus

unlearned stimulus that automatically triggers a reflex response

unconditioned response

participants automatic, unlearned physiological response to the unconditioned stimulus

conditioned stimulus

stimulus that triggers a conditioned response

conditioned response

a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus, now conditioned

extinction

if the CS is continually presented without the UCS the CR will gradually die down

spontaneous recovery

if a period of time is left after the CR has extinguished, then the CR will be exhibited again if the CS is presented

stimulus discrimination

when the conditioned response is elicited to the conditioned stimuli only, and not to other similar stimuli

stimulus generalisation

when stimuli similar to the CS triggers the conditioned response

Pavlov’s dogs

Pavlov, 1902

aim of pavlov

To investigate classical conditioning in dogs

participants in pavlov

dogs

materials in pavlov

Meat powder, a bell, and a Pavlovian apparatus

IV of pavlov

the presentation of stimuli, whether it be the bell, food, or both simultaneously.

DV of pavlov

the times at which the dogs salivated and the amount of saliva secreted.

method of pavlov

• Dogs were placed within a harness and had a tube inserted into a cheek of the mouth whereby any saliva produced was collected and measured 4 this set-up was termed the Palvonian apparatus. A bell was rung close to the dog, salivation did not occur, and the sound of the bell was deemed a neutral stimulus (NS)

• The dog was given some meat powder in a bowl leading to the production of saliva; the meat powder was the unconditioned stimulus (US) that caused the unconditioned response (UR) of salivation. Next, the bell (NS), was rung just before providing the dog with meat powder (U S). This was repeated multiple times with saliva produced each time (UR)

• Now, then the bell was sounded, salivation occurred. The sound of the bell that was initially a neutral stimulus had become a conditioned stimulus (CS) that elicited the now conditioned response (CR) of salivat

key findings of pavlov

The dogs were able to learn to associate a neutral stimulus with a reflex response, leading to the neural response developing into a conditioned response.

contribution of pavlov

• discovered classical conditioning

• allows other researchers to replicate the study and further develop the theory of classical conditioning

• link between physiological and psychological processes and provided insights into heir interaction in the production of learning behaviours.

criticisms of pavlov

• inability to generalise the results from the dogs in Pavlov9s study to humans

• dogs physically + psychologically harmed as they were exposed to unpleasant stimuli

Little Albert

Watson + Rayner, 1920

aim of little albert

To assess whether a child can be conditioned to feel fear through the simultaneous visual presentation of a white rat and the loud noise of a hammer hitting a metal bar.

participant in little albert

eleven month old boy

materials in little albert

A white rat, a rabbit, a seal-skin coat, a Santa Claus mask, a metal pole, and a hammer.

IV in little albert

exposure to various stimuli and the pairing of stimuli

DV in little albert

observed emotional and behavioural responses displayed by the child.

method of little albert

• Albert was seated on a mattress on the floor, and a white rat was placed down in front of him. The rat did not initially elicit a response in Albert; hence it was a neutral stimulus (NS). Now, each time he touched the rat, a metal bar was struck with a hammer. The loud noise was enough to cause Albert to become fearful and cry; the loud noise being the (UCS) and the fear and crying was the (UCR). The rat, originally the NS, became the conditioned stimulus (CS) and upon presentation to Albert would cause him to produce the conditioned response (CR) of crying and being fearful

• Albert was then exposed to stimuli that shared the characteristics of having fur/hair 4 like that of the rat. A seal skin coat was placed in front of him, as was a rabbit. Watson worse a Santa Claus mask with a white beard and brought his face close to Albert’s

findings of little albert

• was conditioned to feel fear from the sight of the rat after multiple pairings of the loud noise and him reaching out to touch the rat

• Stimulus generalisation occurred because the seal-skin coat, rabbit, and mask were like the white rat in that they were soft and had hair.

contribution of little albert

• provided a clear demonstration of how classical conditioning can be used to elicit a fear response

• led to research on how studies should be carried out

criticisms of little albert

• psychologically harmed

• no informed consent as his mother was not aware of full extent of the experiment