4 - Learning Flashcards
Habituation
A type of non-associative learning which occurs when repeated exposure to a stimulus decreases responsiveness to that stimulus.
E.g., being exposed to the strong odor of perfume and then not noticing after a while
Learning
The acquisition of information or behavioral tendencies that is retained for a relatively long period of time
Sensitization
The opposite of habituation. Repeated exposure to a stimulus increases responsiveness
Classical conditioning
A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated/paired with a stimulus that causes a reflexive behavior. In time the neutral stimulus alone is sufficient to elicit that behavior.
Unconditioned stimulus US
A stimulus that elicits an automatic response that does not depend on prior learning. Example: food
Unconditioned response UR
Reflexive or automatic response elicited by an unconditioned stimulus. The you are does not require learning but does depend on certain circumstances
Conditioned stimulus CS
A neutral stimulus comes to produce a response evoked by an unconditioned stimulus after it is been paired enough times with that unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned response CR
A response that depends/is conditional on the prior pairing of the CS with US
Types of conditioning
Forward: CS -> US
Backward: US -> CS
Simultaneous: at the same time
Only forward really works and even then, the unconditioned stimulus must be presented closely after the conditioned stimulus
Biological preparedness
A built-in readiness for certain previously neutral stimuli to come to elicit particular conditioned responses.
Example: eating cheese, becoming sick, avoiding cheese.
Contrapreparedness
The disinclination or even inability for certain stimuli to be conditioned to elicit particular responses.
Example: the woman slamming her hand in the car door and not being afraid of doors.
Extinction
When the CR is gradually eliminated by repeated presentation of the CS without the US.
Spontaneous recovery
The restored ability of the CS to elicit the CR after extinction.
Stimulus generalization
Tendency for the CR to be elicited by neutral stimuli that are similar but not identical to the CS. This follows a generalization gradient
Operant conditioning
The process by which a stimulus and response become associated with the consequences of making the response. It involves voluntary non-reflexive behavior
Thorndike
Puzzle box - cats
Law of Effect
Actions subsequently lead to a satisfying state of affairs are more likely to be repeated
Reinforcement
The process by which the consequences of response lead to an increase in likelihood that the response will occur again when the stimulus is present
Response contingency
The circumstance in which a consequence depends on the animals producing the desired response
Positive reinforcement
When a desired reinforcer is presented after a response
Negative reinforcement
Occurs when an unpleasant object or event is removed after response
Punishment
The process by which an unpleasant object or event is presented after a response, which decreases the likelihood of that response in the future
Should be swift, consistent, and aversive but not too aversive
Primary reinforcers
Events or objects that are inherently reinforcing. Examples: food water and relief from pain
Secondary reinforcers
Not inherently reinforcing but instead have acquired the reinforcing value through learning
Example: attention praise money good grade promotion
