Transcript File - Psychology LA

Evaluation of Learning theory (Ao2)
10 mins
STARTER
For homework you were asked
to write half a side on A4 paper
about Lorenz.
1. What is imprinting?
2. What behaviours show
attachment?
3. What features may
encourage an infant or
small mammal to be cared
for?
4. Name one product of poor
attachment in childhood
Learning Objectives
•ALL will understand
learning theory and
it’s explanation of
attachment.
•MOST will be able
to criticise and
compare the two
theories of
attachment.
Learning theory
 For the exam you are required to both
1. Understand the learning theory and how it explains
attachment (AO1).
2. Be able to evaluate the learning theory. Knowing
the strengths and weaknesses of this argument
(Ao2).
Learning Theory
 One of the grand paradigms in psychology
 Very important principle within the debate
on human behaviour
 Idea is that all humans are born as a ‘blank
slate’
 Put forward by psychologists called
‘behaviourists’
 Has been called the ‘cupboard love theory’ of
attachment
Classical Conditioning
 Idea that association makes behaviour i.e.
that all behaviour is learnt in someway.
 Famous study by Pavlov on dogs salivating
for food.
 He classically conditioned the association
between a neutral stimulus and a response
Classical conditioning in action
Ivan Pavlov
1849- 1936
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cP5lCleKPM&feature=related
5 mins
Ao1
What does this have to do with
attachment?
 Behaviourists believe that the idea of
classical conditioning can explain
attachment
 Food naturally produces a sense of
pleasure because it fulfils a basic need
 Infants associate their primary caregiver
with food and therefore they then
associate their primary caregiver with
pleasure and thus want to stay attached
to them
Ao1
Attachment
Ao1
Operant Conditioning
 This is a further development on the idea of
classical conditioning.
 This is to do with the idea of reinforcement
 Positive reinforcement and punishment
The Skinner box!
positive reinforcement – Rewarding
for desired behaviour.
Negative reinforcement – When
behaviour results in a consequence
that removes something unpleasant
 Electric current on the
bottom only turned off when
the rat pushed the lever or
 Only turned on when lever
pushed (punishment).
Ao1
Dollard & Miller (1950)
 They argued that hungry infants feel uncomfortable
which creates a drive to reduce this discomfort.
 When the infant is fed the drive is reduced producing
a feeling of pleasure (a reward)
 Food becomes the primary reinforcer.
 The person providing the food becomes the
secondary reinforcer and a source of rewards.
 Attachment occurs as the child seeks out the person
who gives this reward.
= Attachment
Evaluation of Learning Theory
 Read your textbook on p51 and take notes
for advantages and disadvantages of
learning theory. Include subheading:
 Strengths
 Limitations
 Validity
15 MINUTES
Homework
 Use the link below to read the A02 points on the
Evaluation of the learning theory explanation.
 Use the information and notes in class to answer the
following question on A4 paper not in your book.
 Evaluate the learning theory explanation of
attachment (6 marks)
 http://aspsychologyblackpoolsixth.weebly.com/expla
nations.html
Plenary
 Outline the main principles of the learning theory of
attachment.
(6 marks)
 Complete this on lined paper and place in your file.