CAIE A-Level Psychology Fagen Elephant Learning Study

Describe the psychology being investigated in the study by Fagen et al. (elephant learning).

1 mark per correct point.

1 mark available for example from the study by Fagen et al.

e.g.,

Operant conditioning is learning by consequence.

If you are rewarded you are more likely to repeat a behaviour

The elephants got chopped banana if they were successful at any task (example)

If you are punished you are less likely to repeat a behaviour A primary reinforcer is one that fulfils a biological need.

A secondary reinforcer can be used as an exchange for a primary reinforcer.

Secondary positive reinforcement can use a sound as a secondary reinforcer that is consistently followed by a primary reinforcer/food.

There are other creditworthy responses, including shaping and behavioural chaining.

4

No identification mark.

Ignore reference to classical conditioning.

Use the marking grid below.

4 marks for the similarity, e.g., observational, lack mundane realism, quantitative data collection, use of rewards/operant conditioning, standardisation, lacking generalisability. 4 marks for the difference, e.g., qualitative data collection, sample, level of controls.

e.g., similarity

e.g. 4 marks

Both the Fagen study and the Bandura study used observation as part of their data collection techniques. This means that specific behaviours could be operationalised to improve validity (explanation). For example, in Fagen there was trunk down which meant the trunk was hanging loose and in Bandura gun play was pretending to shoot at an object in the room.

e.g. 3 marks

Both the Fagen study and the Bandura study used observation as part of their data collection techniques. For example, in Fagen there was trunk down which meant the trunk was hanging loose/Bandura gun play was pretending to shoot at an object in the room.

e.g. 2 marks

Both the Fagen study and the Bandura study used observation as part of their data collection techniques. For example, in Fagen there was trunk down.

e.g. 1 mark

Both the Fagen study and the Bandura study used observation as part of their data collection techniques.

8

Award L1-L4 for similarity.

Award L1-L4 for difference.

For Level 4 there must be some attempt at explaining the similarity or difference.

The other studies from the learning approach are:

Bandura

Saavedra and Silverman

Different species = L1.

Different aims = L1.

Different ethical guidelines = L1

Both opportunity sampling (for Bandura and S&S comparison) = L2

For description of the sample (e.g., $\mathrm{n}=\ldots$. ) from the two studies with no explicit note about size differences or effect on generalisability = L2

9(b)