Learning approach: Behaviourism

Assumptions:

  • Behaviourists believe that all behaviour is learnt and determined by ones environment (nurture). It provides stimuli to which we respond and through experience, we learn to respond to stimuli in particular ways.

  • They believe the basic processes of learning are the same in all species.

  • The behaviourist approach is only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and controlled in scientific conditions. It is not concerned with mental processes.

Classical conditioning

  • This theory states we learn via association. This was developed by Pavlov and his dogs.

  • There are 3 stages to classical conditioning:
    1) Before conditioning an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produces an unconditioned response (UCR). A neutral stimulus (NS) produces no response.
    2) During conditioning the neutral stimulus (NS) is paired with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), resulting in an unconditioned response (UCR). This usually needs to happen multiple times for learning to occur.
    3) After conditioning the neutral stimulus (NS) has become the conditioned stimulus (CS), resulting in the conditioned response (CR).

Additional features of classical conditioning:

  • One trial learning - Sometimes an animal or human can acquire a new behaviour in a single pairing of the NS and UCS. This tends to happen when the response is severe and failing to respond could be fatal.

Pavlov’s research:

  • Before the experiment the dogs would salivate in response to the food but not to a bell when it was rung.

  • During conditioning the bell was rung whenever the food was presented.

  • After many trials the dogs would salivate to the sound of the bell alone; the bell had become associated with the food resulting in the salivation.

Supporting evidence (Little Albert):

  • Watson and Rayner (1920) - Aimed to determine whether humans learn through classical conditioning, specifically can a phobia be successfully conditioned in a human child. The participant was 11-month old Little Albert whos mother was a nurse at the hospital where they worked.

  • Albert was given a white rat to play with, initially he wasn’t scared of this. As he reached out for the rat a metal bar was hit to make a loud noise which scared him. This procedure was repeated three times a day for three months. Eventually when Little Albert saw the white rat he would cry, roll over and run away.

  • This theory states we learn vis the consquences of our actions. It was developed and researched by Skinner

  • Reinforcers are responses from the environment that increase the probability of a bheaviour being repeated. Reinforces can be positive or negative.

    • Positive reonforcement: When a behaviour is followed by a pleasanrt consquence the frequency of the behaviour increases; we are motivated to repeat the same behaviour

    • Negative reinforcement: When a behaviour leads to something unplesant stopping the frequency of the behaviour increases we are motivated to repeat the behaviour (taking away the punishment)

    • Punishment: When a behaviour is followed by an unplesant consquence the frequency of the behaviour decreases we are motivated to not repeat the action.

Operant conditioning

Supporting evidence (Skinners box):

  • Skinner (1953) - designed a piece of appratus called a ‘skinner box’. This consists of a controlled environment where an animal (usually a rat or a piogen) can be placed. There is a lever which delivers food if pressed or pecked. The lever can also be connected to an electrified grid which turns on when the lever is pressed