Chapter 6: Learning Flashcards
Non-Associative
Learning through repeated exposure
Associative
Learning through the pairing of stimuli
Observational
Learning by observing others
What type of learning is Habituation?
Non-Associative
Habituation
The diminished effectiveness of a stimulus in eliciting a response following repeated exposure to the stimulus.
What three factors can slow habituation?
frequency, duration, and intensity
Dishabituation
The reappearance or enhancement of a habituated response
What type of learning is Sensitization?
Non-Associative
Sensitization
When repeated exposure to a stimulus results in an increased behavioral response. May happen when stimulus is potentially harmful or threatening, or just annoying.
Classical Conditioning
When a previously neutral stimulus is linked with a stimulus that already elicits a response and in turn that stimulus leads to a similar response.
Unconditioned stimulus
The stimulus that elicits a response without learning (Ex. Food naturally produces a response)
Conditioned Stimulus
An initially neutral stimulus that comes to elicit a response after being associated with a unconditioned stimulus (A bell is repeatedly paired with the presentation of food)
Unconditioned Response
The response elicited by the unconditioned stimulus (Ex. Salivation is a natural response to a presentation of food)
Conditioned Response
The response that is elicited by the conditioned stimulus after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus (Ex. Eventually the bell alone can elicit salivation)
High Order Conditioning
Once a Conditioned Stimulus consistently creates a Conditioned Response, other stimuli can become associated with the Conditioned Stimulus and produce a Conditioned Response, even without introduction (Cat’s CS is usually a loud can opener, but overtime the cat learns that the squeaky cabinet means the can opener is being taken out)
Stimulus Discrimination
The tendency to respond differently to two or more stimuli that are similar but yet different on some dimension
Stimulus Generalization
The tendency to respond to a stimulus that resembles one involved in the original conditioning.
The Rescorla-Wagner Model
Learning is determined by the extent to which a Unconditioned Stimulus is unexpected or surprising
Positive Prediction Error
More reward is given than expected. This strengthens the relationship between the Conditioned Stimulus and the Unconditioned Stimulus
Negative Prediction Error
Less reward is given than expected. This weakens the relationship between the Conditioned Stimulus and the Unconditioned Stimulus
Drug Conditioning
Environmental cues become an active part of an addicts life. The body has learned to expect the drug in a specific location and compensates by altering neurochemistry or physiology to metabolize it.
Operant Conditioning
The process by which a response becomes more or less likely to occur depending on the consequences.
Law of Effect
Any behaviors that lead to a satisfying outcome are more likely to occur and any that lead to a non-satisfying outcome are less likely to occur.
Reinforcement
- Strengthens the response
- Behavior is more likely to occur
Punishment
- Weakens the response
- Behavior is less likely to occur
Positive Reinforcement
Adding something desirable to increase the frequency of the behavior occuring
Negative Reinforcement
Taking something undesirable away to increase the frequency of the behavior occurring
Primary type of reinforcer
Stimuli that satisfy biological needs (food, water, sleep)
Secondary type of reinforcer
Stimuli that reinforce, but do not satisfy any biological needs (approval, money)
Fixed Interval
Reinforcement is provided at a specific time (Ex. Paycheck every two weeks)
Fixed Ratio
Reinforcement is provided after a certain number of responses have been made (Ex. behavior chart)
Variable Interval
Reinforcement is provided after a time, but the time is not set (Ex. waiting for an elevator)
Variable Ratio
Reinforcement is provided after several responses, but the number is not fixed (Ex. Slot machines)
Positive Punishment
Adding something undesirable to decrease the frequency of the behavior occuring
Negative Punishment
Taking something desirable away to decrease the frequency of the behavior occuring.
Primary type of punisher
Stimuli that is inherently punishing (painful stimuli)
Secondary type of punisher
Stimuli that is considered punishment because of stimuli pairing (Bad grades, fines)
Extrinsic reinforcers
Reinforcers that come from an outside source and are not inherently related to the activity being reinforced (money, praise, toys)
Intrinsic reinforcers
Reinforcers that come from an internal source and are inherently related to the activity being reinforced (personal enjoyment, satisfaction)
Latent Learning
A form of learning that is not immediately expressed in an overt response and occurs without obvious reinforcement
Elements of Observational learning
Attention, Memory, Imitation, and Motivation
Attention
The learner must pay attention to the model
Memory
The learner must retain the memory of the behavior
Imitation
The learner must be able to imitate the behavior
Motivation
The learner must have the desire to perform the action
