Learning theory

Learning theory

1. Suggests all behaviour is learnt and we are born a 'blank slate'

2. Classical conditioning- learning by association

   • An unconditioned stimulus, food, causes salivation an unconditioned response
     • A bell with no response, is then rung when food is given again causing salivation, the bell being a neutral stimulus
       • After conditioning when the bell is rung, a conditioned stimulus, it causes salivation a conditioned response
   • A mother provides food, which creates pleasure for the child, the mother becomes the conditioned stimulus to pleasure. As she is associated with the food . The conditioned response being pleasure when with the mother.

3. Operate conditioning- learning by reinforcement, rewards and punishment.

   • If a baby is hungry it would be in discomfort and would have a drive to reduce that, food reduces this discomfort and causes pleasure, a reward(primary reinforcer) food is associated with the feeder and the feeder becomes the secondary reinforcer. Theory by Dollard and Miller