LEARNING APPROACHES: CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

LEARNING APPROACHES: CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

1. C.C. = learning through association. Learned response becomes automatic + involuntary. Stimulus causes response.

   • UCS ---> UCR
     • UCS + NS ---> UCR
       • CS ---> CR
   • EXCTINCTION = NS and UCS no longer paired - CR disappears
   • SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY = reappearance of previously extinguished CR
   • STIMULUS GENERALISATION = CR elicited when presented with stimulus similar to CS

2. BEHAVIOURISM = idea behaviour is conditioned + focuses on observable events only

3. (+) C.C. = applied to treatments through systematic desensitisation. Can use theory to treat phobias by exposing individual to feared object gradually. Individual learns to associate feared object with relaxation.

   • (-) Theory does not explain why carry out behaviour when have not had previous experience with object/person. E.G. fear of snakes without any previous experience with them.
     • (+) PAVLOV (1927) - aimed to see if dogs could = C.C. to salivate on sound of bell. Dogs initially salivated (UCR) to food (UCS) alone. Dogs then presented food (UCS) @ same time bell ringing (NS). After many pairings of UCS + NS - dog learnt to associate food with bell. Bell (CS) on own caused dog to salivate (CR). Showed behaviour in animals can = conditioned.
       • HOWEVER - animals may differ in terms of emotions + brain complexity compared to humans. Therefore - may not be able to generalise to humans.