3.1 Learning

Question 1

Habituation

Answer 1

the process of becoming used to a stimulus → dec response

Question 2

Dishabituation

Answer 2

the recovery of a response to a stimulus, after habituation has occurred, usually after a different stimulus has been presented

Question 3

Types of learning

Answer 3

• Associative (Classical, Operant)

- Observational

Question 4

Associative Learning

Answer 4

The creation of a pairing, or association, between:

• 2 stimuli
• a behavior and a response/consequences

Question 5

Classical Conditioning

Answer 5

Type of associative learning concerned with instincts and biological responses

Question 6

Unconditioned stimuli

Answer 6

stimulus that brings about a reflexive response (unconditioned response)

Question 7

Neutral stimuli

Answer 7

stimuli that does NOT produce a reflexive response; referred to as signaling stimulus if they have the potential to be used as a conditioning stimulus

Question 8

Outcome of Classical Conditioning

Answer 8

neutral stimulus turned into a conditioned stimulus (a normally neutral stimulus that, through association, now causes a reflexive response (conditioned response))

Question 9

Extinction in terms of Classical Conditioning

Answer 9

When the organism becomes habituated to the conditioned stimulus

Question 10

Spontaneous response

Answer 10

When an extinct conditioned stimulus is presented again, a weak conditioned response can sometimes be exhibited

Question 11

Generalization in terms of Classical Conditioning

Answer 11

Broadening effect by which a stimulus similar enough to the conditioned stimulus can also produce the conditioned response

Question 12

Discrimination in terms of Classical Conditioning

Answer 12

Organism learns to distinguish btwn 2 similar stimuli; opposite of generalization

Question 13

Operant Conditioning

Answer 13

Type of associative learning the links voluntary. Behaviors with consequences in an effort to alter the frequency of those behaviors

Question 14

behaviorism

Answer 14

the theory that all behaviors are conditioned

- Associated with B. F. Skinner

Question 15

Reinforcement

Answer 15

inc the likelihood/frequency of a behavior

Question 16

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 16

inc a behavior by adding a pos consequence or incentive following the desired behavior (Ex. Money, employees will continue to work if they are paid)

Question 17

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 17

inc a behavior by removing something unpleasant, not to be confused with punishments. (Ex. taking meds to relieve pain)

Question 18

Escape learning

Answer 18

Reduce the unpleasantness that already exists (Ex. Taking meds for pain)

Question 19

Avoidance learning

Answer 19

prevent the unpleasantness of something that has YET to happen (Ex. Study in order to avoid a bad grade)

Question 20

Dolphin training

Answer 20

Example of Classical and operant conditioning used together:

• Trainer feeds dolphin after performing a trick, fish = primary reinforcer
• Trainer also uses a clicker to make a noise that the dolphin associates fish with via classical conditioning, clicker = conditioned reinforcer/ secondary reinforcer
• Dolphin may sometimes associate trainer with the possibility of being fed, presence of trainer = discriminate stimulus

Question 21

Punishment

Answer 21

dec the likelihood/frequency of a behavior

Question 22

Positive Punishment

Answer 22

ADDS an UNPLEASANT consequence in response to a behavior to reduce that behavior (Ex: Thief is beaten in order to stop him from stealing again)

Question 23

Negative Punishment

Answer 23

REDUCTION of a behavior when a stimulus is removed (Ex: Grounding a child with no TV w/ the goal of preventing the behavior from happening again)

Question 24

Two factors of reinforcement schedules

Answer 24

The schedule is fixed or variable

The schedule is based on a ratio or an interval

Question 25

Types of reinforcement schedules

Answer 25

• Fixed ratio (FR)
• Variable ratio (VR)
• Fixed interval (FI)
• Variable interval (VI)

Question 26

Fixed ratio (FR)

Answer 26

• Reinforce a behavior after a specific # of performances of that behavior (Ex. Given a treat after doing something 3 times in a row)
• Continuous reinforcement = a FR schedule in which the behavior is rewarded every tome it is performed

Question 27

Variable ratio (VR)

Answer 27

• Reinforce a behavior after a varying # of performances of the behavior
• The FASTEST for learning a new behavior and the most resistant to extinction

Question 28

Fixed interval (FI)

Answer 28

Reinforce the first instance of a behavior after a specified time period has elapsed

Question 29

Variable interval (VI)

Answer 29

Reinforce a behavior the first time that behavior is performed after a varying interval of time

Question 30

Shaping [Operant Conditioning]

Answer 30

Process of rewarding increasingly specific behaviors

Question 31

Latent learning [Operant Conditioning]

Answer 31

Learning that occurs w/out a reward but is spontaneously demonstrated once a reward is introduced

Question 32

Problem solving [Operant Conditioning]

Answer 32

Method of learning that steps outside the standard behaviorist approach. Usually start with trial and error but then as we get older we want to avoid such method and instead step back, observe the situation, and take decisive action to solve the challenges they face

Question 33

Preparedness[Operant Conditioning]

Answer 33

Animals are most able to learn behaviors that coincide w/ their natural behaviors

Question 34

Instinctive drift [Operant Conditioning]

Answer 34

Difficulty in overcoming instinctual behaviors

Question 35

Observational Learning

Answer 35

• The acquisition of behavior by watching others

- Famous Experiment: Albert Bandura’s Bobo doll’s

Question 36

Mirror neurons

Answer 36

They are located in the frontal and parietal lobes of the cerebral cortes and fire when an indiv performs an action and when that indiv observes someone else performing that action