Chapter 5 - Learning

Question 1

What is the definition of Learning?

Answer 1

Any relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience or practice.

Question 2

What falls under Classical Conditioning?

Answer 2

1. Pavlov’s studies
   a. unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that is, food - elicits an unconditioned response (UCR) that is, salivation
   b. neutral stimulus (i.e. tone) is then paired with the UCS
   c. the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus (CS), which elicits a conditioned response (CR) - salivation
2. Principles of classical conditioning
   a. Extinction - When the CS is not presented with the UCS, the CS will diminish
   b. stimulus generalization - similar stimuli will elicit a response similar to the response to the CS
   c. stimulus discrimination - similar stimuli will elicit a response different from the response to the CS

Question 3

What falls under Operant Conditioning?

Answer 3

1. Reinforcer (reward) - any stimulus tht follows a response and increases response and increases response probability
   a. positive reinforcement - the response is followed by the presentation of a reinforcing stimulus
   b. negative reinforcement - the response is followed by the presentation of a reinforcing stimulus
2. punishment - any stimulus that follows a response and decreases response probablility
3. Principles of operant conditioning
   a. Extinction - the CR is no longer reinforced
   b. stimulus generalization - the response will occur to similar stimuli
   c. stimulus discrimination - the response does not occur to different stimuli
   d. timing of reinforcers - the sooner a reinforce or punishment follows an action, the greater its effect
   e. schedules of reinforcement
   i. continuous reinforcement - a particular response is always reinforced
   ii. intermittent reinforcement - a particular response is reinforced only some of the time
   (a) fixed ratio (FR) - the response is reinforced after a fixed number of reponses which leasds to a high response rate
   (b) variable ratio (VR) - the response is reinforced after an average number of responses, which leads to a very high, steady response rate
   (c) fixed interval (FI) - the response is reinforced after a fixed amount of time, which leads to a scalloped response pattern
   (d) variable interval (VI) the response is reinforced after a variable amount of time, which leads to a low, steady response rate
   f. shaping - a method of reinforcing successive approximations to the desired response (e.g. rewarding a subject for traveling in the general direction of a mazes correct path, and the successively rewarding the subject for correct turns within the maze)
   g. chaining - a method of connecting responses in a sequence of behaviors; at the end of the chain, there must always be a reinforce and all behaviors must be previousl conditioned ino the organism’s repertoire; the chain is construced by beginning at the end and working backward

Question 4

What falls under Cognitive behavior modification?

Answer 4

The principles of learning theory are applied to alter undesirable thoughts rather than only observable behaviors

a. social learning theory (bandura) - the four processes that influence learning are attention, memory, behavior, and motivation, and the specific cognitive processes recognized are attribution, expectancy, logical, verbal, and imagination
b. rational emotive therapy (ellis) - dysfunctional behavior is due to irrational beliefs; therapy focuses on the alteration of these irrational beliefs
c. problem-solving therapy - focuses on enhancing the patient's ability to make decisions and solve problems in stressful or difficult situations
d. paradoxical intervention - patients are instructed to purposely perform undesirable symptomatic behaviors on command in an effort to demonstrate their ability to gain control over these behaviors
e. attribution therapy - attempts to facilitate the patient's ability to reattribute undesirable feelings and symptoms to something less threatening and more acceptable