Chapter 6: Learning Flashcards
Unconditioned Stimulus
a stimulus that evokes an unconditioned response without previous conditioning
Classical Conditioning
type of learning where stimuli acquires the ability to evoke a response
Unconditioned Response
unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus without previous conditioning
conditioned response
previously neutral stimulus that, through conditioning, can trigger responses
Conditioned response
learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus because of previous conditioning
trial
presentation of stimulus or pair of stimulus
Acquisition
initial stages of learning, need stimulus contiguity (occurs at the same time and place), Intense, unusual stimuli have a higher chance of being a conditioned stimulus
Extinction
weakening of conditioned response, caused by the presentation of a conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus
Spontaneous Recovery
the reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of no exposure to a conditioned stimulus, the response is weaker when it returns,
renewal effect
if the response is extinguished in a different environment than it was acquired, the extinguished response will reappear in the original environment where its acquisition happened
stimulus generalization
occurs when an organism has learned a response to a specific stimulus and responds in the same way to a new similar stimulus. The more similar the stimuli the greater the generalization.
stimulus discrimination
occurs when an organism that learned a response does not respond the same way to a new similar stimulus. Organisms will learn to discriminate an original stimulus from a similar stimulus with enough exposure to both. Developed from pairing a conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus, not an unconditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.
higher-order conditioning
where a conditioned stimulus can function as if it were an unconditioned stimulus
preparedness
a species-specific predisposition to be conditioned in certain ways and not others. preparedness results in phobias since they posed genuine threats to our ancestors.
evolved module for fear learning
(1) preferentially activated by stimuli related to survival threats in evolutionary history,
(2) automatically activated by these stimuli,
(3) relatively resistant to conscious efforts to suppress the resulting fears, and
(4) dependent on neural circuitry running through the amygdala.
Operant Conditioning
form of learning where a response is controlled by consequences, focuses on voluntary responses
Law of Effect
if response is made in presence of stimuli and it leads to positive effects, association between stimulus and response made is strengthened
reinforcement
when an event following a response increased the tendency to make the response again
primary reinforcers
events that are inherently reinforced because they satisfy biological needs
secondary/conditioned reinforcers
events that acquire reinforcing qualities being associated with primary reinforcers
shaping
operant conditioning’s version of acquisition. Consists of reinforcement of closer and closer approximation of desired response.
extinction
gradual decrease in appearance of a response tendency because response is no longer followed by reinforcement
resistance to extinction
organism continues to make a response without reinforcement. renewal effect also applies to operant conditioning
discriminative stimuli
cues that influence operant behaviour by indicating the probable consequences
schedule of reinforcement
determines which occurrence of a specific response will result in the presentation of a reinforcer
continuous reinforcement
occurs when every instance of desired response is reinforced
Intermittent/Partial Reinforcement
Occurs when the desired response is reinforced sometimes, Makes Responses more resilient to extinction
what are the 4 types of intermittent schedules
1) Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule
2) Fixed-Interval (FI) Schedule
3) Variable-Ration (VR) schedule
4) Variable-Interval (VI) Schedule
Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule
Reinforcer is given after a fixed number of nonreinforced responses
Fixed-Interval (FI) Schedule
Reinforcer is given for the first response that occurs after a fixed time interval
Variable-Ratio (VR) schedule
Reinforcer is given after varying number of nonreinforced responses
Variable-Interval (VI) Schedule
Reinforcer is given for the first response after varying time interval
Positive Reinforcement
Response strengthened because its followed by rewarding stimulus
Negative Reinforcement
Response strengthened because its followed by removal of unpleasant stimulus
Escape learning
Acquired response that decreased or ends unpleasant stimuli
Avoidance learning
Acquired response that prevent unpleasant stimulation from occurring
Punishment
Occurs when an event following a response weakens the tendency to make the response again. either by introducing an unpleasant stimulus or removal of rewarding stimuli. can produce unintended, undesirable side effects
Latent Learning
Learning that is done but not shown until adequate motivation is presented
Instinctive drift
Occurs when an animals response tendencies interfere with conditioning processes
Observational Learning
when an organism’s responses are influenced by observations of others (models). both operant and conditional conditioning can take place through observational learning. If a model had a favourable outcome, the observer’s tendency to emit the same response is strengthened.
key processes in observational learning
• Attention
Pay attention to another’s behaviour and its consequences
• Retention
Store models actions in memory, to call upon when needed
• Reproduction
Enacting modelled responses depends on the ability to take stored memory and make it into overt behaviour
• Motivation
Motivation to replicate actions depends on if you think it will work for you
