Chapter 1 - Introduction to learning Flashcards
What is learning?
a relatively permanent change in behavior that results from some type of experience
Learning does not include changes due to _____ (4)
development, changes of physical state, reflexes, innate tendencies
How do we know if learning has occurred?
by observing changes in performance
Epistemology
the study of knowledge
Nativism
assumes that abilities and behavioral tendencies are largely inborn
Which philosopher subscribes to nativism?
Plato
Empiricism
assumes that abilities and behaviors are mostly learned
Which philosopher subscribes to empiricism?
Aristotle
What are Aristotle’s 4 laws of association?
Law of Similarity, Law of Contrast, Law of Contiguity, Law of Frequency
Law of Similarity
when two things are similar, thinking of one can trigger the other
Law of Contrast
when two things are opposite, thinking of one can trigger the other
Law of Contiguity
events that occur together closely in time/space are more easily associated
Law of Frequency
the more often two things occur together, the more strongly they’re associated
Who had the idea of Mind-Body Dualism?
Rene Descartes
Mind-body dualism
a distinction between the material, physical body (reflex), and the non-physical mind (free will)
Was Descartes an empiricist or a nativist?
nativist, believed many concepts we hold are innate
Who were the 3 biggest British empiricists?
John Locke, David Hume, George Berkely
What is “Tabula Rasa”?
idea that humans are born with a mind like a “blank tablet” on which one’s life experiences are written
Compositionality
our ideas are the result of a combination of associations between elements
Structuralism
study attempting to determine the structure of the mind by identifying the basic elements that compose it
Main figures of structuralism?
Wilhelm Wundt, Edward Titchner
What study was the first to apply the scientific method to questions about human consciousness?
Structuralism
What methods were used in structuralism?
introspection and systematic observation
Functionalism
evolutionary approach to the study of human consciousness, interested in the evolution of the mind / ability to adapt, function of mental processes
Major figure in functionalism?
William James
Who is considered the father of behaviorism?
John B. Watson
Behaviorism
natural science approach to psychology, focuses on environmental influences on observable behavior
Functionalism has evolved into __________
evolutionary psychology
Why did behaviorism survive and other early studies did not?
clear methods, easier to implement and interpret
How many schools of behaviorism are there?
5
The schools of behaviorism differ on ________ and _________
level of focus (molar vs. molecular), role of cognition and internal processes
The schools of behaviorism share _________
focus on observable behaviors and role of environment
Methodological behaviorism
“original” form, study of how environment influences observable behaviors, excludes all thoughts and feelings, molecular
Main figure in methodological behaviorism?
Watson
What is S-R Theory?
learning is the establishment of a connection between a stimulus and a response
Neo-behaviorism
study of how the environment influences observable behavior using measurable physiological processes to explain behavior, states of deprivation!!
Major figure in neo-behaviorism?
Clark Hull
Intervening variable (used in neo-behaviorism)
anything that comes between a cause and effect
Cognitive Behaviorism
purposive behaviorism, how environment influences observable behavior, using hypothesized cognitive approaches to help explain behavior, more molar approach
Latent learning
learning that has occurred, but is not demonstrated
Cognitive map
mental representation of one’s spatial surroundings
Major figure in cognitive behaviorism?
Tolman
Social learning theory
how environment influences behavior (AND vice versa) while emphasizing the importance of observational learning and cognitive variables
Main figure in social learning theory?
Bandura
Reciprocal determinism
idea that behaviors, environment, and internal variables all influence each other
Social learning theory is the basis for what therapy?
CBT
Radical behaviorism
emphasizes influence of environment on behavior, rejects the use of internal events to explain behavior, re-labels internal events as “covert behaviors”
Countercontrol
ideas that we can manipulate our environment to have a beneficial influence on behavior
Applied behavior analysis
using the principles of behaviorism to analyze and solve real world problems
The “bridge” between a philosophy of learning and a science of learning might be the belief that ideas are compromised of smaller, basic elements, can can be re-arranged in different combinations. This philosophical idea was suggested by ________________, but first tested scientifically by ______________.
the British empiricists; Structuralists
Which of the five behavioral schools we discussed would be most likely to assert that internal states or processes cannot be scientifically studied?
Methodological behaviorism
Functionalism was greatly influenced by:
Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection
Which school of behaviorism would be most interested in studying the effects of hunger on behavioral changes?
Neo-behaviorism
What role do “internal events” (like thoughts and feelings) play in Skinner’s Radical Behaviorism?
Internal events can be studied, but should be treated as behaviors themselves, and not used to explain observable behavior
