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The study relied on the therapist's subjective observations, which could have introduced bias into the findings.

Learning Approach

Psychology Notes

 A Level/AS Level/O Level

Learning Approach

Learning Approach to Psychology: How We Learn and Change

The learning approach to psychology focuses on how our experiences shape our behavior. It's all about understanding how we learn new things, develop habits, and adapt to our environment. Think of it like building a house – our behaviors are the bricks, and our experiences are the construction workers!

Here's a closer look at the key ideas within this approach:

1. Behaviorism: The Power of Learning by Association

-The Big Idea: Behaviorism argues that we learn through associations between stimuli and responses. It's all about observable behaviors and how they're influenced by the environment.

-Key Players: Ivan Pavlov (famous for his dog experiments!), B.F. Skinner (who explored operant conditioning), and John B. Watson (the "Little Albert" experiment).

-Real-World Examples: -Classical Conditioning: You start to salivate when you see the pizza delivery guy, even though you haven't tasted the pizza yet. This is because you've learned to associate the delivery guy with the delicious food (thanks, Pavlov!). -Operant Conditioning: You're more likely to study for your next test if you got an A on the last one. This is because you've learned that studying (the behavior) leads to good grades (the reward).

2. Social Learning Theory: Learning from Others

-The Big Idea: Social learning theory acknowledges that we learn not just from direct experience, but also by observing others. We watch, we mimic, and we learn from the consequences of others' actions.

-Key Player: Albert Bandura (famous for the "Bobo Doll" experiment, showing children learn aggression by watching adults).

-Real-World Examples: -Learning a new dance move: You might learn a new dance move by watching a dance video, even if you haven't tried it yourself. -Learning good manners: You're more likely to say "please" and "thank you" if you see your parents doing it.

3. Cognitive Learning Theory: Thinking Our Way to Knowledge

-The Big Idea: Cognitive learning theory goes beyond observable behavior and explores the mental processes involved in learning. It's about understanding our thoughts, memories, and how we process information.

-Key Player: Jean Piaget (focused on how children develop their understanding of the world).

-Real-World Examples: -Solving a math problem: You use your understanding of math concepts (like addition, subtraction, multiplication) to solve the problem. -Learning a new language: You learn vocabulary and grammar rules, and then you use those rules to construct sentences.

Limitations of the Learning Approach

-Oversimplification: The learning approach can sometimes oversimplify human behavior. It doesn't fully account for complex emotions, motivations, and individual differences.

-Emphasis on Observation: The study relied on the therapist's subjective observations, which could have introduced bias into the findings.

-Ignoring Innate Factors: It doesn't always consider the role of genes and biological factors in shaping behavior.

Overall, the learning approach provides a valuable framework for understanding how we acquire new skills and change our behavior. It highlights the power of experience and emphasizes the importance of learning through observation, association, and mental processing. However, remember that human behavior is complex, and other psychological perspectives offer additional insights into our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Bonus Notes

Psychology Essay Answers:

1. Learning Approach: Observation in the Learning Process

Strengths: Observation provides valuable insights into real-time behaviors and interactions, offering rich qualitative data. It can help reveal complex patterns and nuances missed by other methods.

Limitations: Subjective observations are prone to bias from the therapist's own perspectives, values, and expectations. This can lead to inaccurate interpretations and hinder the objectivity of the study.

2. Ethical Implications of Subjective Observations

Ethical Implications: Relying heavily on subjective observations raises ethical concerns about the potential for misinterpretations and misrepresentation of participants' experiences. This can lead to misleading conclusions that may impact treatment decisions or public understanding of the phenomenon studied.

Reliability and Validity: Subjective observations can compromise the reliability and validity of the research. Reliability is affected by the consistency and accuracy of the observations, while validity is questioned by the potential for bias to influence the interpretation of data.

3. Biases in Psychological Research

Types of Biases:
⭐Confirmation Bias: Seeking evidence that confirms existing beliefs.
⭐Experimenter Bias: Researchers' expectations influencing participant behavior or data interpretation.
⭐Sampling Bias: Selecting a sample that doesn't represent the target population.
⭐Observer Bias: Subjects behaving differently due to awareness of being observed.

Minimizing Bias:
⭐Blinding: Concealing conditions or treatments from participants and researchers.
⭐Standardized Procedures: Using identical protocols for all participants.
⭐Multiple Observers: Employing independent observers to reduce individual bias.

4. Generalizability of Findings with Subjective Observations

Consequences: Subjective observations can limit the generalizability of findings. This is because the results may reflect the specific therapist's perceptions and might not be applicable to broader populations or contexts.

5. Multiple Methods in Psychological Research

Advantages: Combining observation with other methods like interviews, questionnaires, or physiological measures provides a more comprehensive and robust understanding of the phenomenon. This triangulation of data strengthens the validity and reliability of findings.

Disadvantages: Integrating multiple methods can be complex and time-consuming. It also requires expertise in different methodologies, careful planning, and analysis to ensure consistency and alignment across data sources.

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