3.1 Learning Flashcards
HIGH YIELD
Habituation
the process of becoming used to a stimulus → dec response
Dishabituation
the recovery of a response to a stimulus, after habituation has occurred, usually after a different stimulus has been presented
Types of learning
- Associative (Classical, Operant)
- Observational
Associative Learning
The creation of a pairing, or association, between:
- 2 stimuli
- a behavior and a response/consequences
Classical Conditioning
Type of associative learning concerned with instincts and biological responses
Unconditioned stimuli
stimulus that brings about a reflexive response (unconditioned response)
Neutral stimuli
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
Outcome of Classical Conditioning
neutral stimulus turned into a conditioned stimulus (a normally neutral stimulus that, through association, now causes a reflexive response (conditioned response))
Extinction in terms of Classical Conditioning
When the organism becomes habituated to the conditioned stimulus
Spontaneous response
When an extinct conditioned stimulus is presented again, a weak conditioned response can sometimes be exhibited
Generalization in terms of Classical Conditioning
Broadening effect by which a stimulus similar enough to the conditioned stimulus can also produce the conditioned response
Discrimination in terms of Classical Conditioning
Organism learns to distinguish btwn 2 similar stimuli; opposite of generalization
Operant Conditioning
Type of associative learning the links voluntary. Behaviors with consequences in an effort to alter the frequency of those behaviors
behaviorism
the theory that all behaviors are conditioned
- Associated with B. F. Skinner
Reinforcement
inc the likelihood/frequency of a behavior
Positive Reinforcement
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)
Negative Reinforcement
inc a behavior by removing something unpleasant, not to be confused with punishments. (Ex. taking meds to relieve pain)
Escape learning
Reduce the unpleasantness that already exists (Ex. Taking meds for pain)
Avoidance learning
prevent the unpleasantness of something that has YET to happen (Ex. Study in order to avoid a bad grade)
Dolphin training
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
Punishment
dec the likelihood/frequency of a behavior
Positive Punishment
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)
Negative Punishment
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)
Two factors of reinforcement schedules
The schedule is fixed or variable
The schedule is based on a ratio or an interval
Types of reinforcement schedules
- Fixed ratio (FR)
- Variable ratio (VR)
- Fixed interval (FI)
- Variable interval (VI)
Fixed ratio (FR)
- 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
Variable ratio (VR)
- Reinforce a behavior after a varying # of performances of the behavior
- The FASTEST for learning a new behavior and the most resistant to extinction
Fixed interval (FI)
Reinforce the first instance of a behavior after a specified time period has elapsed
Variable interval (VI)
Reinforce a behavior the first time that behavior is performed after a varying interval of time
Shaping [Operant Conditioning]
Process of rewarding increasingly specific behaviors
Latent learning [Operant Conditioning]
Learning that occurs w/out a reward but is spontaneously demonstrated once a reward is introduced
Problem solving [Operant Conditioning]
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
Preparedness[Operant Conditioning]
Animals are most able to learn behaviors that coincide w/ their natural behaviors
Instinctive drift [Operant Conditioning]
Difficulty in overcoming instinctual behaviors
Observational Learning
- The acquisition of behavior by watching others
- Famous Experiment: Albert Bandura’s Bobo doll’s
Mirror neurons
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
