3. Practical applications of learning theory Flashcards
what is simple learning?
- Animals learn which stimuli they need to pay attention to in their environment
– Habituation
– Sensitization
what is habituation?
Simple learning - Habituation
* Repeated exposure to the stimulus with no effect (neutral) results in a decrease in response
what is sensitization
Simple learning - Sensitization * Repeated exposure to the stimulus results in
an increase in response
– Sometimes generalizes to other similar stimuli
what is Systematic Desensitization? what is flooding?
- Step-wise exposure to a gradually increasing intensity of an aversive stimulus to decrease the response
– Start around or below threshold for response
– Increase to next level when calm - Not the same as flooding with a high level of forced exposure
– Animals often shut down
– Can amplify the response
categories of Associative Learning
- Classical conditioning
– Strengthen relationship between two stimuli - Operant conditioning
– Strengthen relationship between a behaviour and the consequence of the behaviour
what is counter conditioning? what can it be used for?
Type of classical conditioning:
- Counter-conditioning
– Strengthen relationship between two stimuli
– Can be used to change emotional states associated with a situation or procedure by pairing it with something good
– Be aware of potential for opposite effects
Key points for counter-conditioning (5)
- Consistency, consistency, consistency
- Reward stimulus > aversive stimulus
- Gradually build up the procedure while keeping fear/arousal sub-threshold
- Separate components where possible
- Repetition, repetition, repetition
what is operant conditioning?
- Behaviour performance results in a particular consequence
– Outcome is good, behaviour occurs more often
– Outcome is bad, behaviour occurs less often
apply = positive
remove = negative
increase behaviour = reinforcement
decrease behaviour = punishment
Problems with the use of aversives
- Can cause physical and mental harm
- Breakdown of the human-animal bond
– Impacts learning ability - Only changes the behavioural response, might even make affective state and response worse
Problems with positive punishment
- Doesn’t tell animal the correct behaviour
- Must be immediately after the behaviour and happen every time
– Animal like gambling – intermittent reward is very reinforcing
strategies for stopping unwanted behaviours (3)
- Teach an alternative or incompatible behaviour
- Interrupt and redirect
- Extinction
– Break the association between the behaviour and the reward by removing the reward
– Don’t inadvertently reward!
Key factors that affect learning (3)
- Timing of reinforcement
- Strength of reinforcement
- Schedule of reinforcement
how does timing of reinforcement affect learning?
- The faster the better
– Assists with making the connection between the behaviour and the reward
what is an effectively strong reinforcement for most animals for learning?
- Food is effective for most animals
– Balance internal versus external factors for reward value
– Beware of the ‘breakfast effect’
how does schedule of reinforcement affect learning and what is extinction for unwanted behaviours?
- Initially reward every time to help solidify the association
- Do I have to keep giving treats forever?
- Extinction – reduction in behaviour when no longer followed by a reinforcer
