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)
