Ch. 5-6 Learning and Memory Flashcards
Classical/Pavlovian conditioning
repeatedly pairing a neutral stimulus with a response-producing stimulus until the neutral stimulus elicits the same response.
Learning
Process that produces change in behavior or knowledge as a result of past experience
Neutral stimulus
Stimulus that normally triggers no response
Unconditioned stimulus
Natural stimulus that reflexively elicits a response without the need for prior learning. (Food in dogs mouth)
Unconditioned response
The unlearned, reflexive response elicited by unconditioned stimulus (dog drooling)
Conditioned stimulus
Formerly neutral stimulus that acquires the capacity to elicit a reflexive response (bell sound)
Conditioned response
Learned, reflexive response to a conditioned stimulus. (Dog salivating to bell
Extinction (in classical conditioning)
Gradual weakening/disappearance of conditioned behavior.
Occurs when conditioned stimulus (bell) is repeatedly presented without unconditioned stimulus (food)
Spontaneous recovery
Reappearance of previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of time without exposure to conditioned stimulus.
Stimulus generalization
Occurrence of a learned response not only to the original stimulus, but to other similar stimuli as well
Stimulus discrimination
Occurrence of a learned response to a specific stimulus but not to other similar stimuli
Higher/second order conditioning
(Baby crying when seeing a nurse coat because it’s thinks it’s getting a shot.)
Conditioned stimulus from one trial becomes unconditioned stimulus in second trial even though it was never directly paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
Robert Rescorla’s point: cognition involved
For learning to occur the conditioned stimulus must be a reliable signal that predicts the presentations of the unconditioned stimulus.
Thorndike: trial and error/law of effect
Responses followed by a satisfying effect become strengthened and are more likely to recur. Responses followed by a dissatisfying effect are weakened and less likely to recur.
Positive reinforcement
Something is added.
Response is followed by the addition of a reinforcing stimulus, increasing likelihood of recurrence.
Negative reinforcement
Something is subtracted
Response results in removal/avoidance/escape from a punishing stimulus increasing likelihood of recurrence.
Escape vs. avoid
Escape aversive stimuli that are already present
Avoid aversive stimuli before they occur.
Punishment by application
Operant is followed by the presentation of an aversive stimulus (positive punishment)
(Dog jumps on visitor; you smack it with rolled up newspaper)
Punishment by removal
Operant is followed by the removal of a reinforcing stimulus. (Negative punishment)
(Guy flirts with other girl and gets dumped by girlfriend)
Learned helplessness.
Exposure to inescapable and uncontrollable aversive events produces passive behavior.
Me and school.
Cognitive map
Mental representation of the layout of a familiar environment. (Tolman)
Social/observational learning
Learning that occurs through observing the actions of others
Primary reinforcer
Naturally reinforcing for a given species
Ie. Food, water, sexual contact, adequate warmth.
Secondary/conditioned reinforcer
One that has acquired reinforcing value by being associated with a primary reinforcer.
Ie. Money, frequent flyer points, college degrees
Can be used to acquire primary reinforcers. And other conditioned reinforcers.
