1a. Learning Theory

Question 1

Define “classical conditioning”

Answer 1

A process that creates an association between a naturally existing stimulus (food) and a previous neutral one (bell) eg pavlov

Question 2

Name the 2 key studies that demonstrate classical conditioning

Answer 2

Pavlov's Dogs
Little Albert (Watson and Rayner)

Question 3

Recall the unconditioned and conditioned stimulus and unconditioned response in Pavlov’s Dogs

Answer 3

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): food
Conditioned stimulus (CS): bell
UCR: salivate
CR: salivate

Question 4

Recall the unconditioned and conditioned stimulus and unconditioned response in the Little Albert Experiment

Answer 4

Unconditioned stimulus: loud noise
Conditioned: rat
UCR: crying
CR: crying

Question 5

Define “unconditioned stimulus”

Answer 5

stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response (the UCR) without prior learning

Question 6

Define “conditioned stimulus”

Answer 6

Through ASSOCIATIONw with UCS…

Elicits CONDITIONED response that is similar to the original UCR

Question 7

Define “unconditioned response”

Answer 7

REFLEXIVE/innate responce
Elicited by UCS
NO PRIOR LEARNING

Question 8

Define “conditioned response”

Answer 8

Response elicited by conditioned stimulus

Question 9

Define “stimulus generalisation”

Answer 9

Tendency to
Respond to SIMILAR stimuli to CS
Elicits same but WEAKER CR

Question 10

Define “stimulus discrimination”

Answer 10

Ability to RESPOND DIFFERENTLY to different stimuli

Question 11

Define “extinction” with respect to learning theory

Answer 11

CS presented REPEATEDLY in ABSENCE of UCS…

CR weakens then disappears

Question 12

What is observational learning

Answer 12

Occurs by watching and imitating actions of another person, or by noting consequences of a person’s actions
- Occurs BEFORE direct practice is allowed

Question 13

Recall the 4 things required for successful observational learning

Answer 13

"A really productive method"
Attention to what is being done
Retention (remember what was done)
Production (reproduce what was done)
Motivation (If successful or behavior is rewarded, behavior more likely to recur)

Question 14

Name the key study to recall for observational learning

Answer 14

Bobo Doll

Bandura 1961

Question 15

Describe the Bandura 1961 study

Answer 15

Children watched adults aggressively beat up bobo doll, they imitated

Question 16

Define “reinforcement”

Answer 16

Strengthening of response by the outcome that follows it

Question 17

Define “reinforcer”

Answer 17

Outcome that increases frequency of a response

Question 18

Differentiate between a primary and secondary reinforcer

Answer 18

Primary = like food, water, sleep, sex. Those needed for survival. 
Secondary = stimulus that acquires reinforcing properties by association with PR eg money and praise

Question 19

Define “punishment” with respect to learning theory

Answer 19

Resopnse WEAKENING in response to outcome

Question 20

Define “punisher” with respect to learning theory

Answer 20

CONSEQUENCE that decreases frequency of response

Question 21

Recall Thornidike’s Law of Effect

Answer 21

A response followed by a satisfying consequence will be more likely to occur.
A response followed by an aversive consequence will become less likely to occur

(= basis of operant conditioning)
Therefore:
 Process
Behaviour LEARNED
MAINTAINED by CONSEQUENCES

Question 22

Differentiate between positive and negative reinforcement

Answer 22

Stimulus strengthened when stimulus is:…

• added (positive)
• taken away (negative)

Question 23

Recall the schedules for partial reinforcement

Answer 23

its called partial because reinforcement is not given every time.

Fixed or variable
Interval (time) or ratio (no of repeats.)
eg fixed interval schedule= give reinforcement every x amount of time

fixed ratio schedule= give reinforcement every 3rd repeat

Question 24

Define “fixed interval schedule”

Answer 24

Reinforcement comes after fixed time interval

Question 25

Define “variable interval schedule”

Answer 25

Time interval to produce reinforcmentn varies around an AVERAGE

Question 26

Define “fixed ratio schedule”

Answer 26

Reinforement given after a fixed number of responses

Question 27

Define “variable ratio schedule”

Answer 27

reinforcement given after a variable number of responses

all centred around an average

Question 28

Define “continuous reinforcement”

Answer 28

Every instance of behaviour is reinforced

Question 29

Compare partial and continuous reinforcement

Answer 29

Partial: learnt more slowly but also extinguished more slowly
Continuous: learned more rapidly but also extinguished more rapidly

Question 30

define habituation and sensitisation

Answer 30

Habituation is a decrease in the strength of a response to a repeated stimulus.

Sensitisation is an increase in the strength of response to a repeated stimulus.

These 2 are examples of non associative learning

Question 31

Outline the two main types of learning

Answer 31

Non-associative learning – response to repeated stimuli

Associative learning:

Classical conditioning – Learning what events signal eg bell signals food is coming

Operant conditioning - Learning one thing leads to another (consequences)

Observational learning – Learning from others

Question 32

Define vicarious reinforcement (part of operant conditioning)

Answer 32

Vicarious= experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.
Reinforcement= In psychology, reinforcement is a way to recognize and reward desirable behavior in hopes that it will continue. 

Now let’s put the two together: vicarious reinforcement is our tendency to repeat or duplicate behaviors for which others are being rewarded. Eg “my sister was rewarded for getting first in the year, I must study hard too”

Question 33

In observational learning, what features of the model make us more likely to imitate them?

Answer 33

More likely to imitate if model is:
Seen to be rewarded
High status (e.g. Medical consultant)
Similar to us (e.g. colleagues)
Friendly (e.g. peers)