Chapter 5: Learning Flashcards
What is learning?
A relatively permanent change in behaviour that is brought about by experience.
Who is the father of classical conditioning?
Ivan Pavlov
What is classical conditioning?
A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus came to bring about a response after being paired with a stimulus that naturally brings about that response.
(NS) + [(UCS) + (UCR)] = (CS –> CR)
What is a neutral stimulus?
A stimulus that, before conditioning, does not naturally bring a response
What other responses are likely to be learnt through classical conditioning?
Emotional responses.
What is phobias?
In extreme cases of classical conditioning, it can lead to phobias
What is extinction?
When a previously conditioned response decreases in frequency and eventually disappears.
What is spontaneous recovery?
The re-emergence of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest with no further conditioning
What is stimulus generalization?
A process in which, after a stimulus has been condition to produce a particular response, stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus provide the same response.
What is stimulus discrimination?
If two stimuli are sufficiently different from one another that one triggers a conditioned response but the other does not.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its favourable or unfavourable consequences.
Who is the father or operant conditioning?
B.F. Skinner
What is reinforcement?
The process by which a stimulus increases the probability that a preceding behaviour will be repeated
What is a reinforcer?
Any stimulus that increases the probability that a preceding behaviour will occur again
What is shaping?
the process of teaching a complex behaviour by rewarding closer and closer approximation of the desired behaviour.
What is a positive reinforcer?
Stimulus added to the environment that brings about an increase in a preceding response; giving food, water, money, praise.
What is a negative reinforcer?
An unpleasant stimulus whose removal lead to an increase in the probability that a preceding response will be repeated in the future.
What is punishments?
A stimulus that decreases the probability that a prior behaviour will occur again.
What is positive punishment?
Weakens a response through the application of an unpleasant stimulus (spanking a child, time in jail, ticket, etc…)
What is negative punishment?
The removal of something pleasant to weaken a response (taking away someones phone/car, demoted)
What are the cons of punishment?
- Frequently ineffective, especially if not delivered shortly after behaviour.
- Punishment may fail to produce long-lasting behaviour
- Physical punishment conveys that physical aggression is permissible.
What is continuous reinforcement schedule?
It is enforced every time it occurs; learning more rapidly.
What is partial (intermittent) reinforcement?
Reinforcement some, but not all the time. Longer lasting behaviour.
What is a fixed-ration schedule?
Reinforcement is given only after a specific number or responses. (short pause after each response)
What is variable-ratio schedule?
Reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses rather than fixed number (Responding occurs at a high, steady rate)
What is fixed-interval schedule?
Provides reinforcement for a response only if a fixed time period has elapsed, low response rate (Long pauses after each response)
What is variable-interval schedule?
The time between reinforcement varies around some average rather than being fixed (responding occurs at a steady rate).
Does operant conditioning have discrimination and generalization?
Yes!
What is stimulus control training?
The process by which people learn to discriminate stimuli, a behaviour is reinforced in the presence of a specific stimulus, but not in its absence. q]
What is discriminative stimulus?
Signals the likelihood that reinforcement will follow after a response.
