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BEHAVIOURISM and LEARNING THEORY INTRODUCTION What is LEARNING? How do we Learn? This is central to HUMAN GROWTH. Some argue that LEARNING is what the PERSON is. Mechanistic / Reductionist Approach = S-R = Stimulus - Response. Clinical, Scientific, Academic, Experimental approach to Psychology. This is the most powerful School within the world of Western Psychology. It is at the other extreme to the metaphysical work of Freud and the Psycho-dynamic Theorists. PAVLOV (1910) Russian Why did Pavlov use the word CONDITIONING? What ideas come to mind when you hear this word? Weather conditions; working conditions, air conditioning; conditioned hair! All it means in this context is that the scientist has strict control over the experimental CONDITIONS of the Organism under study. PAVLOV EXPERIMENT: Food paired with Bell 1. Un-Conditioned Stimulus (UCS) = Un-Conditioned Response (UCR) UCS = Food = UCR = Salivation reflex 2. UCS + Conditioned Stimulus (CS) = UCR produced again UCS (food) + CS = Bell 3. CS = Bell only = Conditional Response (CR) CR = Salivation 4. CS only (repeated) Extinction of CR = Salivation ceases
EVERYDAY EXAMPLES: dinner bell / dentist's drill / burned by fire / bitten by a dog / clinical antiseptic smell / ice-cream van tune SKINNER (1955) USA Pavlov's research is about SIMPLE learning. But does this apply to all our learning in life? No - it is much more complex. How do parents teach children as they get older? Obviously they do not use Pavlovian bells! Rats and random bar-pressing = Food. An Operant is a Behaviour which, if reinforced, will be repeated. EVERYDAY EXAMPLES: one-armed bandits / working for a salary at end of the month / studying for exams / reward in Heaven / Token Economy / Behaviour Modification of Phobias / Biofeedback to lower heart rate if suffering high blood-pressure. But what are the WIDER implications of Behaviouristic research? Control of individual in society through a system of shared / agreed reinforcers. Punishment of non-conformists / Walden Two What is NORMAL behaviour anyway? CONCLUSION: BASIC INSTINCTS - Konrad Lorenz (1966) wild animals. BEHAVIOUR THERAPY - Wolpe (1958) BEHAVIOUR ELIMINATION: Systematic Desentization = spider phobia, etc. Aversion Therapy = paedophilia BEHAVIOUR FORMATION: Selective +ve reinforcement = Anorexia Nervosa Token Economy = personal hygiene habits
CREATIVITY / ART / SCIENCE - Hudson; Buzzan, et al... SIMPLE COMPLEX CONCRETE ABSTRACT NEONATE ADULT |
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