learning theory & cognitive theory

learning theory & cognitive theory

1. classical conditioning

   • Pavlov
     • UCS (food) = UCR (salivation)
     • UCS + NS (bell) = UCR
     • CS = CR
     • can reverse conditioning- behaviour can be unlearnt
       • Systematic desensitisation
         • replace old fear association with relaxation response
   • Watson & Rayner
     • manipulate emotional response
     • little albert

2. operant conditioning

   • Skinner
     • situational determinants explain behaviour
     • said CC was limited
     • emphasised importance of what happens after behaviour
       • consequence of response is critical & affects liklihood of behaviour being repeated
         • childhood experience shapes later behaviour
     • pos/neg reinforcement
     • Skinner's box
       • press lever for food

3. Dollard & Miller Stimulus/Response model

   • animal learning can be generalised to humans
   • behaviour doesnt only consist of responding to environment stimuli
     • respond to inner stimuli & thoughts which have been repressed
   • habit- association between stimulus & response
   • primary drives- physiological/survival drives & reduction of these is most powerful reinforcement
   • secondary drives- help cope with primary drives (money helps buy food)
   • learning habits through initial drive, cue to act in environment, response & reinforcement of response
   • frustration when satisfying drives
     • Approach-approach conflict= equally desirable but incompatible goals
     • Avoidance-avoidance conflict= equally undesirable alternatives
     • approach-avoidance conflict= one goal with equally atractive & unattractive aspects
     • double approach-avoidance conflict= multiple goals, some un/desirable

4. Bandura

   • human behaviour & free will
   • behavioural factors influence cognition, cognition impacts behaviour & behaviour can be intentional and continue without reinforcement
   • personal agency- you can change things
   • proxy agency- ask others to change aspects in your life
   • collective agency- groups can make a difference to your life & others
   • Bobo doll
     • observational learning & imitate model
       • factors influencing modelling
         • Character of model- if similar
         • Attributes of observer- if less confident
         • Consequence of imitating- perceived to have positive results
       • modelling is an active process & we use self-reinforcement to evaluate & reinforce own behaviour

5. Theory of personal constructs- Kelly

   • use personal interpretations & private perceptions of world to understand & control world
   • innate desire to have accurate perception of world
   • personal constructs- criteria to perceive & interpret events. Act in light of personal constructs
   • constructive alternativism- capable of changing interpretations of events
   • make behavioural choices in light of personal constructs & future goals- don't learn from past experiences
   • corollaries describe how interpretation allows us to create personal constructs
     • construction corollary- processes to understand what's going on, constructs are discrimination used to perceive events
     • organisation corollary- constructs organised into a hierarchy
   • asked p's of perceptions of world to provide insight into personal constructs
     • clients suffering from mental health problems adopted unhelpful personal constructs
     • used repertory grid test
       • based on self report, dependent on therapists expertise to interpret, oversimplified view of cognition & ignores situational factors

6. REBT- Ellis

   • disturbances are due to irrational thinking
   • Rational behavipour- helps individuals achieve basic goals & purposes
   • irrational behaviour- prevetns people achieve basic goals & purposes
     • derives from ego disturbances (demands on self, others & world, if demands aren't met individual is upset)
     • derives from discomfort disturbances (demands to make life comfortable, if not met = frustration)
   • innate ability to think (ir)rationally- individual differences are biological
   • ABC model
     • Activating event, Belief, Consequence
       • rational/irrational belief affects whether consequence is rational/irrational
     • Added D & E
       • D= Disputation- helps clients change irrational beliefs- Advocates acceptance & changing perceptions of current irrational beliefs
       • E= Education- teach clients overall model so it can be utilised. Give Homework to practise new cognitions