An industrial technician, Sam, works in a processing plant. Every time a high-pressure valve releases a scalding jet of steam, a distinctive metallic buzzer sounds. The hot steam naturally causes Sam to experience a reflexive surge of fear and pain. After several weeks on the job, Sam finds that hearing this metallic buzzer, even when away from the machinery, triggers an immediate, intense feeling of fear and muscle tension.
Using your knowledge of classical conditioning, explain how Sam developed this fear of the metallic buzzer.
205 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Psychology Content, covering Main features of classical conditioning, Pavlov (1927) salivation in dogs, Main features of operant conditioning, Properties of reinforcement, Behaviour modification and shaping, Main features of social learning theory, Social learning stages, Bandura (1961, 1963) Bobo doll experiments, Bandura (1965) vicarious reinforcement, Learning theories and phobias, Treatments for phobias, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.