Psychology: Behaviourist Approaches to Learning

Behaviourist Approach

Emphasises the study of observable behaviour alone to understand and explain learning, without regard to underlying mental processes and states such as thoughts, feelings, motives and consciousness.

Conditioning

The process of learning associations between a stimulus in the environment and a behavioural response.

Association

Pairing or linking of one stimulus with another stimulus; a stimulus that would not normally produce a particular automatic response is associated with a stimulus that would produce the automatic response.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning that occurs through the repeated association of two (or more) different stimuli. Learning has only occurred when a stimulus consistently produces a response that it did not previously produce.

Features of Classical Conditioning

- role of the learner is passive
- involves reflexive and involuntary responses

Acquisition

The overall process during which an organism learns to associate two events (neutral stimulus & unconditioned stimulus)

Stimulus

Any object or event that elicits a response from an organism.

Neutral Stimulus

Anything that does not normally produce a predictable response. Eventually becomes the conditioned stimulus (bell).

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that consistently produces a naturally occurring, automatic response (food).

Unconditioned Response

A response that occurs automatically when an unconditioned stimulus is present (salivation).

Conditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that elicits a response only after an association has been made with the unconditioned stimulus (bell).

Conditioned Response

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus (salivation).

Before Conditioning

- neutral stimulus leads to no relevant response
- unconditioned stimulus leads to unconditioned response

During Conditioning

- neutral stimulus is presented first and repeatedly paired with unconditioned stimulus which leads to an unconditioned response

After Conditioning

- conditioned stimulus leads to conditioned response

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning whereby the consequences of an action determine the likelihood that it will be performed again in the future.

Features of Operant Conditioning

- role of learner is active
- behaviour demonstrated by learner is voluntary

Operant

Any response that acts on the environment to produce some kind of consequence.

Three-Way Relationship (Elements) in Operant Conditioning

Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence

Antecedent

Stimulus that precedes a specific behaviour and signals the probable consequence for behaviour and therefore influences the occurrence of the behaviour. It is also known as the discriminative stimulus.

Behaviour

Voluntary action that occurs in the presence of the antecedent.

Consequence

Environmental event that occurs immediately after the behaviour and has an effect on the occurrence of the behaviour in future events.

Reinforcer

Any stimulus that strengthens or increases frequency or likelihood of a response it follows.

Positive Reinforcement

Occurs from giving or applying a positive reinforcer after the desired response has been made which strengthens behaviour.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal or avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus which therefore strengthens behaviour.

Punishment

Any stimulus that decreases frequency or likelihood of a certain behaviour.

Negative Punishment

Removal or loss of a valued stimulus, thereby decreasing likelihood of a certain behaviour.

Postive Punishment

Presentation of an undesirable stimulus, thereby decreasing a certain behaviour.

Factors influencing effectiveness of reinforcement/punishment

order of presentation, timing, appropriateness

Order of Presentation

To use a reinforcer/punisher effectively, it is essential that it is presented after a desired response, never before. This ensures that the consequences of a particular response is learnt.

Timing

Reinforcement/punishment is most effective when given immediately after the response has occurred.

Appropriateness

- for any reinforcer, it should be a pleasing consequence to the recipient
- for any punisher, it should be an unpleasant consequence to the recipient