Chapter 6: Learning Flashcards
Habituation
Adapting to stimuli that do not change. Respond less strongly over time to repeated stimuli
Sensitization
Responding more strongly over time
Classical (Pavlovian) Conditioning
The repeated pairing of a neutral stimulus with another unconditioned stimulus that already triggers an unlearned response (reflex)
Unconditioned Stimulus
Causes a response without conditioning
Unconditioned Response
An automatic reflex or response
Conditioned Stimulus
Neutral stimulus that causes a response only after learning
Conditioned Response
A response that has been learned
Acquisition
Learning phase during which a conditioned response is established
Extinction
Gradual reduction and eventual elimination of the conditioned response after the conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus
Spontaneous Recovery
Sudden emergence of an extinct conditioned response after a delay in exposure to the conditioned stimulus
Renewal Effect
Sudden reemergence of a conditioned response following extinction when an animal is retired to the environment in which the conditioned response was acquired
Stimulus Generalization
Process by which conditioned stimuli similar, but not identical, to the original conditioned stimulus elicit a conditioned response
Stimulus Discrimination
Process by which organisms display a less pronounced conditioned response to conditioned stimuli that differ from the original conditioned stimulus
Higher-order conditioning
Developing a conditioned response to a conditioned stimulus by virtue of its association with another stimulus
Latent inhibition
Difficulty in establishing classical conditioning to a conditioned stimulus we’ve repeatedly experienced alone, that is, without the unconditioned stimulus
Law of Effect
If a response, in the presence of a stimulus, leads to satisfying effects, the association between the stimulus and the response is strengthen
Operant conditioning
Form of learning in which responses come to be controlled by their consequences.
Organism “operates” on the environment
Skinnier box
Small animal chamber constructed by Skinnier to allow sustained periods of conditioning to be administered and behaviors to be recorder unsupervised
Positive Reinforcement
Presentation of s stimulus that strengthens the probability of the behavior
Negative Reinforcement
Removal of a stimulus that strengthens the probability of the behavior
Reinforcement
INCREASES the strength of the preceding behavior
Punishment
DECREASES the strength of the preceding behavior
Negative Punishment
Removes positive effect.
Response is less likely to repeat
Positive Punishment
Presents negative effect.
Response is less likely to repeat.
Is reinforcement based on the number of responses made, or time?
Number of responses-> Ratio
Time-> interval
Are reinforcements being given on a regular/consistent basis, or an irregular/inconsistent basis?
Regularly-> Fixed
Irregularly-> variable
Fixed Ratio
After a given # of responses
Variable Ratio
After a given # of responses, on average
Fixed Interval
After a specific amount of time
Variable Interval
After an average time interval
Continuous Reinforcement
Reinforce a behavior every time it occurs
Partial Reinforcement
Reinforce a behavior only some of the time
Shaping
Conditioning a target behavior by progressively reinforcing behaviors that come closer and closer to the target
Primary Reinforcer
Item or outcome that naturally increases the target behavior
Secondary Reinforcer
Neutral object that gets associated with primary
Latent Learning
Learning that is not directly observable
Observational Learning
Learning by watching others
Mirror Neurons
Cells in the prefrontal cortex that becomes activated when an animal observed a specific motor action and also when the animal performs the action
