PSYC 480 Chapter Notes -Social Learning Theory, Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning
Document Summary
According to behaviourists, behaviour is not innate but learned. Learning can be due to associations being made between different stimuli (classical conditioning) or behaviour can be altered by patterns of reinforcement (reward) and punishment (operant conditioning). Neo-behaviourists suggest that we learn by watching others (social learning theory or. Social learning of this sort is particularly powerful when we see others being reinforced or punished for their actions. Dollard and miller (1950) suggested that the attachment was due to drive reduction. Hunger and cold have a strong motivating effect on the child, driving the child to satisfy its need by eating or seeking warmth. Obtaining food or warmth results in drive reduction which in itself provides a reward for the child. Hunger and cold (discomfort) are referred to as primary drives and food and warmth are primary reinforcers. The person supplying the food and warmth (usually the mother) becomes associated with the food and warmth and acts as a secondary reinforcer.
