Strengths - Pavlov & CC:
- Empirical Research - Pavlov used experiments to test his theory of Classical Conditioning. He is able to infer cause and effect due to his insistence on objectivity, control over variable and precise measurements; learning can be conditioned via stimulus and response. Pavlov's research is viewed as an excellent example of scientific research - giving psychology greater credibility and respect.
- Insight into the development of phobias - Pavlov's research of learning via stimulus-response has been successfully applies to humans. One famous study of Watson & Rayner (1920) supports Pavlov's research and links Classical Conditioning to be an element that effects the development of phobias. Their study involved conditioning an 18 month old boy, Little Albert to develop a phobia of a white rat by pairing the rat with a loud noise. Before: Noise (UCS) = Anxiety (UCR) - During: Noise (UCS) + Rat (NS) = Anxiety (UCR) - After: Rat (CS) = Anxiety (CR)
- High Credibility - Other elements of Pavlov's research have been supported in Watson & Rayner's research: Albert's anxiety response had generalised from the white rat to some other white furry objects that were similar to the white rat (ie: cotton wool and a white stick on beard).
- Valuable contribution to society - Pavlov's research provides powerful explanations for the development of a variety of behaviours including psychological disorders. It also provides useful counter conditioning treatments, including systematic desensitisation (used to extinguish phobia's such as that of 'little Albert').
Limitations - Pavlov & CC:
- The use of animals is a criticism of Pavlov's research. Although conditioning can be observed in dogs and most species, human behaviour is driven by complex emotions and thought processes. This means that it is impossible for all these processes to be observed. Although there is supporting evidence, like little Albert, generalising and applying the findings of dogs to humans is still very difficult. Therefore, generalisations between humans and animals must be made with caution. Whilst conditioning may be useful in explaining animal behaviour, it may not be very useful in explaining learning in humans.
- Classical conditioning is limited to explaining how reflex responses become associated with new stimuli. However, much human behaviour is voluntary and therefore cannot be explained by Classical Conditioning. There must be other learning processes involved.
- Classical conditioning ignores the role of cognitive and biological factors which have also been shown to play a role in learning.