CH 7 Learning (TERMS) Flashcards
Learning
A relatively durable change in behaviour or knowledge that is due to experience
Habituation (1,2)
Tendency to discontinue responding to repeatedly occurring uninformative events
- First form of learning from an evolutionary point of view
- Solves intrinsic biological problem: what relevant information we pay attention to, what we ignore
Classical conditioning
When a stimulus gains the ability to trigger a response that was originally caused by another stimulus.
Stimulus-stimulus learning
One stimulus is associated with another stimulus which produces a behavioural response
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS or US)
A stimulus that naturally triggers an unconditioned response (Example: Food)
Unconditioned response (UCR or UR)
A natural reaction to the UCS. (Example: Salivation to food)
Neutral stimulus (NS) (1,1)
A stimulus that does not trigger a response on its own. (Example: Bell before conditioning)
- Paired continuously with UCS
Conditioned stimulus (CS)
A former neutral stimulus that now triggers a learned conditioned response (Example: Bell after conditioning)
Conditioned response (CR)
A learned response to the conditioned stimulus (Example: Salivation to the bell)
Forward, Delayed conditioning
NS is presented 0.5 seconds before UCS
Acquisition (classical conditioning)
The learning phase when the CS and UCS are paired, and the CR develops
Extinction (classical conditioning)
When the CS is presented alone, and the CR fades over time.
Spontaneous Recovery
After a break, the CS triggers the CR again, but weaker and fades faster (returns to baseline faster)
Generalization
When similar conditioned stimuli (CSs) produce the same conditioned response (CR)
Discrimination
Learning that CS+ predicts the UCS, but CS- does not trigger the CR
ex. A dog learns that a bell (CS+) means food (UCS) but a different sound (CS-) does not, the dog will salivate only to the bell (CS+) and not to the other sound (CS-)
Conditioned Emotional Responses
Emotional reactions (like fear or attachment) that are learned through classical conditioning, and are resistant to extinction.
Skinner’s box (1,1)
Similar to Thorndike’s puzzle box, but focused on operant conditioning, where behaviour is actively shaped using reinforcements and punishments
- Anti-mentalistic: Emphasized observable behaviour controlled by its consequences, instead of just accidental discovery
Instrumental learning
A type of learning where responses are controlled by their consequences (reinforcements or punishments)
Thorndike’s puzzle box
Focused on trial-and-error learning where the cat accidentally discovered how to escape. The process was observed, and the law of effect explained how satisfying outcomes strengthened the behaviour
Law of Effect
If a response to a stimulus leads to satisfying effects, the association between the stimulus and response is strengthened
Reinforcement
Occurs when an event following a response increases the organism’s tendency to repeat the same response in the presence of the stimulus in the future
Punishment
Occurs when an event following a response decreases the organism’s tendency to repeat the same response in the presence of the stimulus in the future
Positive Reinforcement
Occurs when a discriminative stimulus increases the frequency of a behaviour by the presentation of an appetitive
Negative reinforcement
Occurs when a discriminative stimulus increases the frequency of a behaviour by the removal of an aversive stimulus or negative reinforcer (a consequence that removes something unpleasant)
Positive punishment
Occurs when a discriminative stimulus decreases the frequency of a behaviour by the presentation of an aversive stimulus or punisher (a consequence that adds something unpleasant)
Negative punishment (response cost)
Occurs when a discriminative stimulus decreases the frequency of a behaviour by the removal of an appetitive stimulus (a consequence that takes away something pleasant)
Shaping (acquisition - operant conditioning)
The reinforcement of closer and closer approximations of a desired response
Extinction (operant conditioning)
Occurs when a behaviour decreases because the reinforcer or behavioural contingency is removed, leading to the behaviour stopping over time
Resistance to Extinction (operant conditioning)
Occurs when responses persist without reinforcement, meaning the behaviour takes longer to stop
Primary reinforcers & punishers
Biological needs (food, pain, fear)
Conditioned reinforcers & punishers
Objects associated with primary needs through classical conditioning (e.g., money, flashing light of a police car)
Continuous Reinforcement (1,2)
Response is continuously followed by a reinforcement
- Produces very fast learning
ex. Rat pushes down lever and gets a treat every time
Intermittent Reinforcement (1,2)
The response is reinforced only some of the time, not after every response
- Done purposefully to create more resistance to extinction because the individual doesn’t expect reinforcement every time
ex. Rat pushes down on lever but only get a treat every 5 times
Interval reinforcement (1,2)
- Intermittent reinforcement
Reinforcement based on intervals of time
ex. Rat pushes on lever but only gets fed every 5 minutes
Ratio reinforcement (1,2)
- Intermittent reinforcement
Reinforcement provided after a certain number of responses
ex. Rat pushes down on lever but only get a treat every 5 times
Fixed ratio (2)
Reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of non-reinforced trials (e.g., FR-10 = reinforcement after every 10 responses).
Behaviour: Leads to a high rate of responding, a pause after reinforcement, and low resistance to extinction
Variable Ratio (2)
Reinforcement occurs after an unpredictable number of responses, averaging a set number (e.g., VR-10 = reinforcement on average after 10 responses).
Behaviour: Leads to a high rate of responding, no pause after reinforcement, and high resistance to extinction
Fixed interval (2)
Reinforcement occurs after the first response following a fixed time interval (e.g., FI-10 = reinforcement after 10 minutes).
Behaviour: Leads to a gradually increasing moderate rate of responding, a pause after reinforcement, and low resistance to extinction
Variable Interval (2)
Reinforcement occurs after the first response following an unpredictable time interval that averages a set amount (e.g., VI-10 = reinforcement on average after 10 minutes).
Behaviour: Leads to a steady moderate rate of responding, no pause after reinforcement, and high resistance to extinction
Escape learning (1,1)
- Complex behaviour
Response that decreases or ends aversive stimulation
Avoidance learning (1,1)
- Complex behaviour
Response that prevents aversive stimulation from occurring (resistant to extinction)
Two-process theory
Explains how avoidance behaviours develop
- Classical conditioning: CS ⇨ CR (produces fear)
- Operant conditioning: avoidance response ⇨ remove CR (negative reinforcement) (produces avoidance)
Conditioned flavour-aversion learning (1,4)
Association of a substance’s flavour with illness (e.g., food poisoning)
- It’s the association of a substance’s flavour with illness (e.g., food poisoning)
- The flavour becomes a CS that triggers a CR (e.g., nausea or avoidance)
- It can occur even with a long delay between the flavour and illness (often hours)
- Only the flavour (not other stimuli) is associated with the illness
