Chapter 6 + 10 Flashcards
Define Learning
The acquisition of new knowledge, skills, responses from experience, that results in a relatively permanent change in the learner
Who founded + influenced behaviourism?
John Watson + Ivan Pavlov
Define Behaviourism
Observe what humans do rather than what they experience.
Why was Behaviourism Created?
Personal experience too subjective for scientific observation. Introspection not a reliable scientific method.
Describe the stimuli + responses before conditioning (Process of Classical Conditioning)
The unconditioned stimulus (Food) elicits the unconditioned response (Salivation) , but the neutral stimulus (Bell) does not.
Describe the stimuli + responses during conditioning (Process of Classical Conditioning)
The neutral stimulus (Bell) is paired w/ the unconditioned stimulus (Food).
Describe the stimuli + responses after conditioning (Process of Classical Conditioning)
The neutral stimulus alone elicits the response; the neutral stimulus is now a conditioned stimulus (Bell), + the response to it is a conditioned response (Salivation).
Summary of Classical Conditioning
An original neutral stimulus comes to elicit a response that it did not previously elicit .
What experiment did Pavlov lead to research classical conditioning?
Pavlov’s Dog
Define Acquisition
Phase of classical conditioning when the CS + US are presented together. Gradual increase in learning, slow at first, rises rapidly, then slowly tapers off.
Define Second-Order-Conditioning (Higher-Order)
Conditioning where a conditioned response is paired w/ a stimulus that became associated w/ the unconditioned stimulus in an earlier procedure.
Define Extinction
Gradual elimination of a learned response that occurs when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented w/o the the unconditioned stimulus
Define Spontaneous Recovery
The tendency of a learned behaviour to recover from extinction after a rest period.
Define Generalization
The controlled response is observed even though the controlled stimulus is slightly different than the controlled stimulus used during acquisition.
Define Discrimination
The capacity to distinguish between similar but distinct stimuli.
List the Processes in Classical Conditioning
Acquisition, Extinction, Spontaneous Recovery, Stimulus Generalization, Discrimination, Higher-Order Conditioning
Define Operant Conditioning
Type of learning in which consequences of an organism’s behaviour determine whether it will be repeated in the future. (Involves voluntary behaviour)
Who played a role in Operant Conditioning?
Thorndike + Skinner
Focus of Thorndike’s experiments?
Instrumental behaviours. Requires an organism to do something.
Define the Law of Effect
Behaviours followed by a “satisfying state of affairs” tend to be repeated. Those that produce an “unpleasant state of affairs” are less likely to be repeated.
Define Operant Behaviour
Behaviour produced by an organism that has impact on the environment.
Define Reinforcer (Operant Behaviour)
Stimulus or event that increases the behaviour that led to it.
Define Punisher (Operant Behaviour)
Stimulus or event that decreases the behaviour that led to it.
Define Shaping (Operant Behaviour)
Reinforcers guide behaviour closer towards the desired behaviour
