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Learning Approaches in Psychology

The Foundations of Behavior Acquisition

Focus on Experience and Environment

The learning approaches in psychology focus on how behaviour is acquired and modified through experience and interaction with the environment. This section explores two key learning approaches: the behaviourist approach and social learning theory.

Behaviourist Core Principle

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The Observable Rule: The behaviourist approach is grounded in the idea that psychology should study only observable and measurable behaviour, not internal mental processes.

Classical Conditioning Sequence

A form of associative learning first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov in his research with dogs.

1

Initial State

Dogs salivated (UCR) to food (UCS).
2

Association Phase

The sound of a bell (NS) was repeatedly paired with food (UCS).
3

Conditioned Learning

The bell alone became a CS, causing salivation (CR).

Classical Conditioning Concepts

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UCS

Stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning (e.g., food).
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CS

Previously neutral but now triggers a conditioned response after association (e.g., bell).
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UCR

A natural, automatic reaction to the UCS (e.g., salivation).
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CR

Learned response to the CS (e.g., salivation to bell).

Operant Conditioning (Skinner)

Focuses on how consequences shape voluntary behaviour. Used widely in behavioral therapy.

Future Behavior Likelihood = f(Reinforcement/Punishment)
Behaviour that is reinforced is more likely to be repeated, while punished behaviour is less likely to occur.

Increasing vs. Decreasing Behavior

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Reinforcement(Increases Behavior): Adding a pleasant stimulus (Positive Reinforcement) or removing an unpleasant stimulus (Negative Reinforcement). Example: Turning off a loud noise when a button is pressed (Negative).
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Punishment(Decreases Behavior): Introducing an unpleasant stimulus (Positive Punishment) or removing a pleasant one (Negative Punishment). Example: Introducing an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behaviour.

Social Learning Theory (Bandura)

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Wait, so direct reinforcement isn't the only way we learn new complex behaviour?
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Exactly! Bandura added the role of cognitive factors. Behaviour is learned through observing others (Vicarious Learning).

SLT Key Concepts

SLT argues that behaviour is learned through observation, not just direct experience of reinforcement.

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Imitation

Copying the behaviour of a role model.
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Identification

Observer relates to or wants to be like the model.
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Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning about the consequences of behaviour through observing the model being rewarded or punished.

The Four Mediational Processes

Internal cognitive processes that mediate the learning experience (A-R-R-M).

No Process Function Role
1 Attention Noticing Focus on the behaviour
2 Retention Remembering Storing the observed information
3 Reproduction Ability Physically reproducing the behaviour
4 Motivation Will Drive to perform the behaviour

Bobo Doll Experiment Results

Demonstrated that children imitate aggressive behaviour when observing an aggressive model, even without direct reinforcement.

Observation Condition Outcome
Aggressive Model (Rewarded) High Imitation
Aggressive Model (Punished) Low Imitation
Non-Aggressive Model Very Low Imitation
Key Finding: Learning occurred through observation
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Learning Approaches in Psychology Deck
Term
Behaviourist Approach

What does the behaviourist approach focus on studying?

Answer
Explanation

Observable and measurable behaviour, excluding internal mental processes.

Term
Classical Conditioning

Who is associated with classical conditioning?

Answer
Person

Ivan Pavlov.

Term
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

Answer
Definition

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.

Term
Conditioned Response (CR)

Define conditioned response (CR).

Answer
Definition

A learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus after conditioning.

Term
Operant Conditioning

What is operant conditioning?

Answer
Explanation

Learning by consequences that reinforce or punish voluntary behaviour.

Term
Operant Conditioning Developer

Who developed operant conditioning?

Answer
Person

B.F. Skinner.

Term
Positive Reinforcement

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer
Definition

Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase a behaviour.

Term
Social Learning Theory (SLT)

What is social learning theory (SLT)?

Answer
Explanation

Learning behaviour through observing others and cognitive mediation.

Term
Mediational Processes in SLT

What are mediational processes in SLT?

Answer
Definition

Cognitive factors such as attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation involved in learning.

Term
SLT Experiment

What experiment demonstrated SLT?

Answer
Experiment

Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment.

Term
Vicarious Reinforcement

What does vicarious reinforcement mean?

Answer
Definition

Learning by observing the consequences of another's behaviour.

Term
SLT vs Behaviourism

How does SLT differ from behaviourism?

Answer
Explanation

SLT includes internal cognitive processes and observation, not just direct reinforcement.

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🌸 Learning Approaches in Psychology Quiz

1. Who is known for developing classical conditioning?

Pavlov discovered classical conditioning by pairing stimuli to elicit a learned response.

2. What does operant conditioning primarily focus on?

Skinner’s operant conditioning studies how consequences influence behaviour.

3. In social learning theory, what term describes learning by watching consequences others receive?

SLT emphasizes learning by observing others’ rewards or punishments.

4. What is a neutral stimulus (NS) in classical conditioning?

NS becomes conditioned after association with an unconditioned stimulus.

5. Which of the following is NOT a mediational process in SLT?

Reinforcement occurs in behaviourism; mediational processes are internal cognitive factors.

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