Learning Approach Evaluation

Learning Approach Evaluation

1. Classical Conditioning Evaluation

   • Weakness
     • Difference in species
       • Different species have different capabilities therefore the relationship between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus tend to be more difficult to establish for some species than others. Seligman (1970) proposed the concept of preparedness to explain this, animals are prepared to learn associations that are significant to their survival needs, yet unprepared to learn associations that arent significant in this respect.
   • Strength
     • Allowed for treatment making
       • Classical conditioning has led to the development of treatments for the reduction of anxiety associated with various phobias. For Example, systematic desensitisation is a therapy based on eliminating the learned anxious response where the therapist tries to take one learned response (anxiety) and replace it with another (relaxation) so that the patient is no longer anxious in the presence of the feared object or situation.

2. Operant Conditioning Evaluation

   • Weakness
     • Critics claim that Skinner's reliance on rats and pigeons means studies can tell us little about human behaviour. Unlike non human animals, humans have free will rather than having their behaviour determined by positive and negative reinforcement .
   • Strength
     • Good experimental method of Skinner
       • Skinner relied on his experimental method which uses controlled conditions in an attempt to discover a casual relationship between 2 or more variables. Skinner's reliance on the box was a good example of this approach in practise. By manipulating the consequences of behaviour he was able to measure the effects of the rat's behaviour accurately. This enabled a cause and effect to be established so can predict the future frequency of certain bahviours.