Learning Theories of Psychology

Ivan Pavlov:


1. What was Pavlov actually studying when he developed his theory of classical conditioning?

Pavlov, and developed his theory of classical conditioning, was actually studying the salivation of dogs and the salivary glands produced when meat was presented through a food dispenser.

2. Explain (in detail) how Pavlov's experiment was conducted.

Pavlov noticed that the food dispenser with the meat powder made a noise when he delivered it to the dog. Therefore, he realized the dog associated the noise with the food before the food was delivered to the dog. (Pavlov gave the dog a natural stimulus (food) and the dog had a natural response (salivation). Then, Pavlov produced a neutral stimulus (bell noise) and the dog had orientation, but no salivation. After the conditioning, Pavlov produced a paired natural and neutral stimulus, and the dogs had a natural response. Because of this experiment, the dog then had a natural response and salivated when Pavlov rang the bell).

3. Identify the conditioned stimulus, the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned response from Pavlov's experiment.

Conditioned stimulus (CS): A neutral stimulus (like the bell) which has been learned and therefore produces a conditioned response.

Unconditioned stimulus (US): A stimulus that produces an unlearned response without previous conditioning.

Conditioned response from Pavlov's experiment (CR): A reaction that has been learned because of previous conditioning.


4. Explain what extinction means in relation to classical conditioning.

Extinction refers to the loss of the Conditioned Response tendency. It occurs when there has been Conditioned Stimulus without the Unconditioned Stimulus (example: the bell was not rang for a lot of time and therefore the dog stopped reacting to the sound of the bell afterwards).

5. Explain what stimulus generalization means in relation to classical conditioning.

Stimulus generalization is when a reaction to a specific stimulus is connected to other stimuli and occurs to the other stimuli.


6. Explain what stimulus discrimination means in relation to classical conditioning.

Stimulus discrimination refers to the learning response to one stimulus and not the other one.

7. Explain at least two limitations of this experiment.

First of all, one limitation was that only two dogs were used in Pavlov’s experiment. As a result, not all types of dogs may have the same conditioning ability. This experiment was only proved in dogs and not in humans. Moreover, the dogs needed to undergo surgical procedures, which were dangerous and painful.

8. Explain what Pavlov theorized about how we learn.

Pavlov theorized that when you pair a natural stimulus with a neutral stimulus, the neutral stimulus is learned, or conditioned. Consequently, this proves that the natural stimulus produces a reflexive response on the neutral stimulus. This is a way of learning.

John B. Watson:

1. Explain (in detail) how Watson's "Little Albert" study was conducted.

Watson conditioned a baby named “Little Albert”. He showed a white rat to Little Albert and afterwards slammed two metal pipes together behind Little Albert’s head. This made Little Albert cry because the metal pipes produced a loud and annoying noise. Watson continued slamming the metal pipes every time Little Albert and the white rat were together, and therefore, Little Albert always cried when the white rat appeared. Prior to the noise, Little Albert liked the rat. Then, the fear generalized (stimulus generalization) because Little Albert became afraid of people or animals with white beards/hair (because the rat had furry, white hair).

2. Identify the conditioned stimulus, the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned response from Watson's study.

Conditioned stimulus (CS): The white, furry rat.

Unconditioned stimulus (US): The two metal pipes slamming (noise).

Conditioned response (CR): The baby Albert cried every time he saw something or someone with white, furry hair.


3. Explain at least two limitations of this study.

One limitation of Watson’s experiment was that Little Albert was hurt and was scared by the two metal pipes. During those times, it was not illegal to do that to a baby. Nowadays, it would be illegal and this experiment is seen as immoral and unethical. Moreover, Little Albert suffered from a rat phobia because animals evoked him fear. It is said that Little Albert’s mom didn’t even know they were doing that to her 8 month baby.

4. Explain Watson's law of frequency.

The law of frequency states that when 2 things or events are connected, the stronger will be that association.

5. Explain Watson's law of recency.

Watson’s law of recency refers to the response that has most recently occurred subsequent a stimulus, which is associated with that stimulus.


6. Explain the basic assumptions of behaviorism according to Watson.

According to Watson’s behaviorism, all behavior can be reduced to their basic components.

Works Cited

http://psychology.about.com/od/classicalconditioning/a/pavlovs-dogs.htm

http://www.alleydog.com/101notes/conditioning.html

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/psychbeginnings.html