6 - Configural Learning

Question 1

define configural theory

Answer 1

strength of response to novel stimulus determined by the similarity btwn it and previously experienced stimulus, multiplied by assoc strength of prev experienced stimuli

Question 2

define discriminate

Answer 2

using experience to know two stimuli are different

Question 3

define generalisation

Answer 3

recognising one stimulus is similar to one we have previously experienced so expected a similar outcome

Question 4

define negative patterning

Answer 4

training animals to expect an outcome in the presence of A, of B, but none w A and B together

Question 5

how is negative patterning differnt to blocking

Answer 5

animals trained all associations at the same time

Question 6

what do animals learn in negative patterning

Answer 6

struggle to learn A+B=no outcome as have assoc of A and B leading to outcomes

Question 7

why if the RW model summative

Answer 7

when learning ab A and B’s assoc strengths, they are added together when presented together

Question 8

what does the RW model predict, causing issues w the model

Answer 8

animals would expect A and B lead to twice the outcome and wouldn’t expect no outcome

Question 9

the revised RW model accomdated what and how

Answer 9

negative patterning by including X

when A and B presented together, animals see A+B+X, with X leading to no outcome

Question 10

in RW, what does X act as

Answer 10

abstract and configural cue entering association that A+B presented as configuration

Question 11

X is defined as what else apart from a configural cue

Answer 11

conditioned inhibitor so we expect nothing in presence of X

Question 12

Pearce stated that we see A+B as what

Answer 12

not as a compound but as its own stimulus whereas RW/elemental say A+B is a configuration

Question 13

Pearce states we respond to compounds how

Answer 13

in the way we respond to encountered stimuli during training, so expect AB to lead to double the outcome as similar to A and B

Question 14

what does the generalisation equation look at

Answer 14

change in excitatory strength instead of assoc strength

Question 15

the configural model states that all assoc strength will be given to what if we train that AB leads to a shock

Answer 15

to AB as a compound and none to A or B separately as don’t learn anything ab A or B

Question 16

the configural model states that in trials of only A or only B, the animal will expect what

Answer 16

a shock since A and B are both 50% similar to AB

Question 17

(configural) if trained that A and AB lead to a shock, what will happen

Answer 17

learn AB is 50% similar to A so generalise and learn ab AB as a compound as AB only 50% similar plus expect a shock w just B as 50% similar

Question 18

RW states what happens to assoc strength if train that AB leads to a shock

Answer 18

half given to A and half given to B and predict a shock in trials of just A and B

Question 19

blocking states what about generalisation

Answer 19

if trained that both A and A+B lead to a shock, won’t expect a shock as haven’t learnt anything ab B

Question 20

what were the two conditions in the peak shift study

Answer 20

control: taught that at 550nm there is a reward, not exposed to any other wavelengths
experimental: taught 550nm = reward and 560nm = no reward

Question 21

results from the peak shift study

Answer 21

control responded at 500nm as expected reward

exp responded most at 540nm and further from wavelength they were trained at and far from non-reinforced

Question 22

repeating the peal shift study in humans showed what

Answer 22

humans have pattern of responding based on how near or far the item is from trained stimulus but only w artificial stimuli as they are novel to us

Question 23

how is peak shift explained

Answer 23

wavelengths are compound stimuli
560nm is made up of inhibitory
550nm made up of inhib and excitatory
540nm has excit
so respond further away from 560/550 as 540 and below has no overlap w inhib

Question 24

having fewer words and experience for some colours means what

Answer 24

can’t discriminate btwn colours which are objectively obvious to others who have more words and experience of the same colours as separate stimuli

Question 25

define other race effect

Answer 25

tendency to recall faces belonging to own race better than faces belonging to out-group races due to more familiarity and experience w own race

Question 26

define phoneme discrimination

Answer 26

ability to tell the difference btwn smallest units of sound

Question 27

what ages can discriminate btwn all phonemes

Answer 27

2 m/o and 6-12m

Question 28

how do we only discriminate btwn phonemes relevant to us when we’re older

Answer 28

focus on experiences and own language around us leading to an experience dependent shift

Question 29

what changes babies’ brains when listening to sound

Answer 29

sensitivity to sound statistics of any presented language, so hearing more English ‘r’ than Japanese ‘r’ means more sensitive to the former and don’t recognise the latter

Question 30

what is the critical period for laguage

Answer 30

up to 7y thereafter get worse w alsmost no acquisition after 18

Question 31

bilinguals flip between what

Answer 31

two language statistic sets depending on the language

Question 32

define perceptual learning

Answer 32

applying principles of assoc learning to explain how experience shapes our ability to make discriminations