Question 1: Define the term 'classical conditioning' in your own words.

Answer: Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, eventually eliciting a similar response.

Question 2: Give an example of classical conditioning that you might observe in everyday life.

Answer: An example is when a person hears a notification sound (neutral stimulus) and starts to feel excited because they associate it with receiving a message (meaningful stimulus).

Question 3: What is operant conditioning? Briefly explain how it differs from classical conditioning.

Answer: Operant conditioning is a learning process where behaviour is strengthened or weakened by consequences, such as rewards or punishments. Unlike classical conditioning, which involves associating two stimuli, operant conditioning involves behaviour and its consequences.

Question 4: Describe a scenario where a student is more likely to do their homework because they receive praise from their teacher.

Answer: A student completes their homework and receives positive praise from the teacher, which increases the likelihood that they will do their homework again in the future.

Question 5: In your own words, explain what 'reinforcement' means in the context of the behaviourist approach.

Answer: Reinforcement means a consequence that increases the likelihood of a behaviour happening again, such as giving a reward after good behaviour.

Question 6: Identify and describe one type of reinforcement and one type of punishment used in behaviourist learning.

Answer: Positive reinforcement involves adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behaviour (e.g., giving treats for good behaviour). Negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease behaviour (e.g., taking away privileges after bad behaviour).

Question 7: Draw a simple diagram illustrating the process of classical conditioning, including the following elements: neutral stimulus, unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, and conditioned response.

Answer: A flowchart showing: Neutral stimulus + Unconditioned stimulus → Unconditioned response; after repeated pairing: Conditioned stimulus → Conditioned response.

Question 8: Sketch a scenario demonstrating operant conditioning in a school setting. Label the behaviour, the consequence, and whether it is reinforcement or punishment.

Answer: A sketch of a student raising their hand (behaviour), receiving praise from the teacher (consequence), labelled as 'positive reinforcement' to encourage future behaviour.

Question 9: Explain why behaviourists believe that all behaviour is learned through environment and experience.

Answer: Behaviorists argue that behaviour is learned through interaction with the environment via reinforcement and punishment, and it is not influenced by innate or genetic factors.

Question 10: Describe one strength and one limitation of the behaviourist approach.

Answer: A strength is that it provides clear, measurable methods for studying behaviour. A limitation is that it ignores mental processes and emotions, which can also influence behaviour.