Chapter 7 Flashcards
What is the process of learning?
the process by which experience produces a relatively enduring change in an organism’s behavior or capabilities
“knowing how”
research in learning began through a behaviorist lens
expanded to include cognitive, biological, and cultural perspectives
What is Habituation?
the process of responding less strongly over time to repeated stimuli
learning to ignore irrelevant, non-harmful stimuli
adaptive: conserve energy and additional resources
simplest and earliest form of learning
What is sensitization?
responding more strongly to a stimulus after repeated exposure
most likely to occur for strong or noxious stimuli
What is classical conditioning?
creating and association between two stimuli
associative learning (basic form of learning)
found by happenstance (Pavlov’s Dog)
What are the three phases of classical conditioning?
- Acquisition (gradual learning)
- Extinction (loss of CR to CS)
- Spontaneous recovery
What is the acquisition phase of classical conditioning?
learning the association (CR)
start with the stimulus (food, UCS) and a natural response to it (salivating, UCR)
no learning required
pair this response with another stimulus (bell)
if UCS is intense or aversive, 1 pairing could lead to a CR
a CR depends on the timing between the CS and UCS (also affects strength)
What are the effects of different timing between CS and UCS?
forward start delay: CS is still present when UCS present, optimal learning
forward trace: CS appears then goes off, the UCS, best if delay is 2-3 seconds
simultaneous: not as good as forward
backwards pairing: UCS presented, then CS, little to no learning
What is the extinction phase of classical conditioning?
CR decreases in magnitude and disappears when CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS
can maintain association with occasional re-pairings
not forgetting, learning to inhibit CR (new behavior)
What is the spontaneous recovery phase of classical conditioning?
after a period of rest without learning trials, an encounter with the CS results leads to spontaneous recovery
reappearance of previously-extinguished CR, evidence that CR was not forgotten but suppressed
weaker than original pairing
with enough “extinction trials”, spontaneous recovery is weak enough that it is not a problem
What is spontaneous generalization?
stimuli similar to original CS also elicit a CR
adaptive, can transfer learning to similar stimuli, bad for phobias
What is spontaneous discrimination?
less CR and CSs that are similar
adaptive, discriminate stimuli that share features but differ in important ways
What is higher-order conditioning?
pairing a neutral item with an established CS, until it too becomes a CS
weaker CR and quicker extinction
role in drug association: context is higher-order CS
What is fear acquisition?
can humans associate fear via classical conditioning?
tested with Little Albert and other babies
How do humans overcome fear?
VR: effective for spider phobia, fear of flying, claustrophobia, fear of driving, and fear of heights
Aversion Therapy: dissociate attractive stimuli from good feelings, alcohol + drug that causes nausea
What is operant conditioning?
learning controlled by consequences of voluntary behavior
classical conditioning behaviors are elicited (reflexive)
behavior shaped by reward or punishment (operants)
operating on environment to get what you want
instrumental conditioning
response serves fundamental function
What is Thorndike’s Law of Effect?
response followed by a “satisfying” consequence more likely to occur
response followed by “unsatisfying” consequence less likely to occur
instrumental learning: behavior is instrumental in bringing about certain outcomes
What is reinforcement?
any outcome that increases the probability of response
What is positive reinforcement?
present something attractive
useful for reinforcing desirable responses
What is negative reinforcement?
remove something unpleasant
aversive conditioning and escape conditioning
What is punishment?
any outcome that weakens the likelihood of response
What is positive punishment?
administer noxious stimulus
pain or shock, yelling
What is negative punishment?
removal of pleasant stimulus
favored over positive punishment (no aggression)
What are primary reinforcers?
naturally occurring stimuli (food, water, sex)
What are secondary reinforcers?
neutral object associated with primary reinforcer (money)
shows how both classical and operant conditioning affect behavior
