Chapter 6: Learning

Question 1

Three types of learning

Answer 1

nonassociative; associative; observational

Question 2

Nonassociative

Answer 2

learning about a stimulus in the external world
1. habituation
behavioural response to a stimulus decreases
2. sensitization
behavioural response to a stimulus increases

Question 3

Associative

Answer 3

learning the relationship between two pieces of information
1. Classical conditioning
when we learn that a stimulus predicts another stimulus
2. Operant conditioning
when we learn that a behaviour leads to a certain outcome

Question 4

Observational

Answer 4

learning by watching how others behave

1. Modeling
   imitating a behaviour seen in others
2. Vicarious learning
   learning to engage in a behaviour or not, after seeing others being rewarded or punished that action

Question 5

Classical Conditioning

Answer 5

type of learning in which a neutral stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus
- first described and demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov in 1903

Question 6

Law of Effect

Answer 6

any behaviour that leads to a “satisfying state of affairs” is likely to occur again, and any behaviour that leads to an “annoying state of affairs” is less liekly to occur again

• likelihood of the occurance of a behaviour is influenced by its consequences

Question 7

Operant Conditioning

Answer 7

voluntary responses come to be controlled by their consequences
- B.F. Skinner invented the operant chamber and theory

Question 8

For punishment to be effective, we need to consider:

Answer 8

timing
intensity
consistency

Question 9

Schedules of Reinforcement:
continuous
fixed ratio
variable ratio
fixed interval
variable interval

explain what each means

Answer 9

• continuous: every response is reinforce
• fixed ratio: fixed # of responses must be made before reinforcement
• variable ratio: random number of responses must be made before reinforcement
• fixed interval: first response after a specific period of time has elapsed is reinforced
• variable interval: first response after a random periods of time has elapsed is reinforce

what do each look like on a graph?

Question 10

Extinction

Answer 10

in operant conditioning, extinction refers to gradual weakening and disappearance of a response tendency bc the response is no longer followed by reinforcement

Question 11

Primary Reinforcers

Answer 11

things that are in themselves rewarding (innately satisfying, unlearned - biological)

Question 12

Conditoned/Secondary Reinforcer

Answer 12

stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through assoc. with a primary reinforcer
- things we have learned to value - non-biologically beneficial

Question 13

Shaping

Answer 13

the reinforcement of closer and closer approximation of a desired response

Question 14

Dunning-Kruger Effect

Answer 14

• form of illusory superiority
• people lack the ability to evaluate their own performance in areas where they have little expertise

Question 15

Illusory Superiority

Answer 15

form of false confience, when we believe that we are above average in just about everything