1a. Learning Theory Flashcards
Define “classical conditioning”
A process that creates an association between a naturally existing stimulus (food) and a previous neutral one (bell) eg pavlov
Name the 2 key studies that demonstrate classical conditioning
Pavlov's Dogs Little Albert (Watson and Rayner)
Recall the unconditioned and conditioned stimulus and unconditioned response in Pavlov’s Dogs
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): food
Conditioned stimulus (CS): bell
UCR: salivate
CR: salivate
Recall the unconditioned and conditioned stimulus and unconditioned response in the Little Albert Experiment
Unconditioned stimulus: loud noise
Conditioned: rat
UCR: crying
CR: crying
Define “unconditioned stimulus”
stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response (the UCR) without prior learning
Define “conditioned stimulus”
Through ASSOCIATIONw with UCS…
Elicits CONDITIONED response that is similar to the original UCR
Define “unconditioned response”
REFLEXIVE/innate responce
Elicited by UCS
NO PRIOR LEARNING
Define “conditioned response”
Response elicited by conditioned stimulus
Define “stimulus generalisation”
Tendency to
Respond to SIMILAR stimuli to CS
Elicits same but WEAKER CR
Define “stimulus discrimination”
Ability to RESPOND DIFFERENTLY to different stimuli
Define “extinction” with respect to learning theory
CS presented REPEATEDLY in ABSENCE of UCS…
CR weakens then disappears
What is observational learning
Occurs by watching and imitating actions of another person, or by noting consequences of a person’s actions
- Occurs BEFORE direct practice is allowed
Recall the 4 things required for successful observational learning
"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)
Name the key study to recall for observational learning
Bobo Doll
Bandura 1961
Describe the Bandura 1961 study
Children watched adults aggressively beat up bobo doll, they imitated
Define “reinforcement”
Strengthening of response by the outcome that follows it
Define “reinforcer”
Outcome that increases frequency of a response
Differentiate between a primary and secondary reinforcer
Primary = like food, water, sleep, sex. Those needed for survival. Secondary = stimulus that acquires reinforcing properties by association with PR eg money and praise
Define “punishment” with respect to learning theory
Resopnse WEAKENING in response to outcome
Define “punisher” with respect to learning theory
CONSEQUENCE that decreases frequency of response
Recall Thornidike’s Law of Effect
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
Differentiate between positive and negative reinforcement
Stimulus strengthened when stimulus is:…
- added (positive)
- taken away (negative)
Recall the schedules for partial reinforcement
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
Define “fixed interval schedule”
Reinforcement comes after fixed time interval
Define “variable interval schedule”
Time interval to produce reinforcmentn varies around an AVERAGE
Define “fixed ratio schedule”
Reinforement given after a fixed number of responses
Define “variable ratio schedule”
reinforcement given after a variable number of responses
all centred around an average
Define “continuous reinforcement”
Every instance of behaviour is reinforced
Compare partial and continuous reinforcement
Partial: learnt more slowly but also extinguished more slowly
Continuous: learned more rapidly but also extinguished more rapidly
define habituation and sensitisation
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
Outline the two main types of learning
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
Define vicarious reinforcement (part of operant conditioning)
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”
In observational learning, what features of the model make us more likely to imitate them?
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)
