C6: Learning Process

Question 1

What is the definition of learning?

Answer 1

The process by which a behavior is acquired, omitted or changed as a result of experience

Question 2

What is learning by imprinting?

Answer 2

a kind of learning in the very young based mainly on maternal attachment and
acquisition of basic behavioural patterns

Question 3

What is learning by socialization?

Answer 3

process of exposure

Question 4

What is learning by habituation?

Answer 4

Learning that can further be divided into desensitization and flooding. The response to a new stimulus weakens with repeated exposures, however, habituation can disappear if not exposed for a period of time. Involves no rewards.

Question 5

What is Operant Conditioning?

Answer 5

Also referred to as “trial and error learning”. If an action is rewarded, the animal is more likely to do it again. If an action is punished, the animal is less likely to repeat it.

Question 6

Who first demonstrated operant conditioning?

Answer 6

Thorndike

Question 7

What is Classical Conditioning?

Answer 7

Has 4 components:
1. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
- a stimulus that will cause a reflex response
2. Unconditioned Responses (UCR)
- reflex response
3. Paired with a Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
- an unrelated stimulus that would not normally give any response is paired with the UCS
4. Animal’s Conditioned Response (CR)
- animal learns the association between the UCS with the CS so when the CS is presented a conditioned response is seen

Question 8

Who first demonstrated classical conditioning?

Answer 8

Pavlov, with dogs

Question 9

What is Positive Reinforcement?

Answer 9

A pleasant or desirable reward given

Question 10

What is Negative Reinforcement?

Answer 10

Decreasing or increasing an action by removing an unpleasant stimulus, i.e. a shock collar.

Question 11

What is Continuous Reinforcement?

Answer 11

Each correct action is rewarded for rapid learning process, however, the animal may “decide” not to comply

Question 12

What is Intermittent Reinforcement?

Answer 12

Once a trick is learned, reward frequency decreases and rewards are given irregularly. Makes the dog work harder for a reward

Question 13

What is successive approximation?

Answer 13

Teaching animals to learn certain tricks or skills by shaping their behaviour. Involves breaking down the skill into smaller steps, and then rewarding the animal for each step

Question 14

What does chaining behaviours mean?

Answer 14

Grouping a number of different behavioural patterns together in a sequence, starting with the last action first, and working backwards.

Question 15

What does Extinction mean?

Answer 15

The loss of a learned behaviour which occurs when a stimulus/reward is permanently withdrawn

Question 16

What is Positive Punishment?

Answer 16

The giving of an aversive or unpleasant stimulus, after or during a response that leads to decrease in the frequency of the behaviour

Question 17

What is Negative Punishment?

Answer 17

The removal of something that the animal wants, with a goal of decreasing the
frequency of the behavior

Question 18

What are the critical factors in punishment?

Answer 18

1. must be immediate
2. must be at the same time
3. must be with enough force to stop the act, but not so much that it will create fear

Question 19

What does the level of response of an animal to punishment depend on?

Answer 19

• temperament
• previous experience
• contingency—must be caught in the act
• repeated use; may get used to it
• schedules; must be every time the act is done
• alternative response—providing animal with alternate behavior for which he/she can be rewarded is much more effective

Question 20

What is Aversive Conditioning?

Answer 20

Having punishments come from the environment rather than the owner i.e. blasting water from a hose onto a dog digging

Question 21

What is flooding?

Answer 21

One type of Habituation. Over expose the animal to the stimuli that is causing the undesired behaviour, often leads to a phobia

Question 22

What is Systematic Desensitization?

Answer 22

One type of Habituation. A decrease in a response that is produced by gradual exposure to a stimulus that elicits a response.

Question 23

What is Counter Conditioning?

Answer 23

Negative or undesirable behaviour is extinguished or controlled by teaching the
animal to do another behaviour that competitively interferes with the execution of the undesirable behaviour.

Question 24

What is Drug Desensitization?

Answer 24

Tranquilizers or sedatives used to reduce the dog’s sensitivity to stimuli and make them more apt to respond to basic training

Question 25

What is prompting and fading?

Answer 25

Provoke or prompt the desired behaviour with a cue, then reward

Question 26

What is observational learning?

Answer 26

Learn by watching other animals

Question 27

Where do most behaviour problems stem from?

Answer 27

A combination of an owner inadvertently rewarding bad behaviour, and an overabundance of energy causing boredom

Question 28

What is the minimum amount of exercise a dog should get each day to counter-act boredom?

Answer 28

Two periods a day of intensive exercise, each lasting 10 -15 minutes.

Question 29

What theory addresses behaviour problems?

Answer 29

The Humane Hierarchy theory

Question 30

Who developed the Humane Hierarchy theory?

Answer 30

Dr. Susan Friedman

Question 31

What are the six steps of the Humane Hierarchy theory, ranked from top to bottom?

Answer 31

1. Wellness: Nutritional, Physical
2. Antecedent Arrangements
3. Positive Reinforcement
4. Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviour
5. Extinction, Negative Reinforcement, Negative Punishment
6. Positive Punishment