Chapter 7: Learning Flashcards
Associative Learning
learning that involves forming association between stimuli (classical and operant conditioning)
Non Associative Learning
learning that does not involve forming association between stimuli (habituation and sensitization)
studies in sea slug
Habituation
a form of non associative learning. repeated presentation of a stimulus leads to a reduction in response
Sensitization
a form of non associative learning. strong stimuli results in an exaggerated response to the subsequent presentation of weaker stimuli.
notice things and are more alert after a surprising event
Classical Conditioning (Pavlovian)
a form of associative learning. neutral stimulus is paired with salient stimulus so that eventually neutral stimulus predicts salient stimulus
Sequence of Classical Conditioning
US- normally elicits a psychological response
UR- response to US. not learned
pair the neutral stimulus with US
will associate the Neutral with UR
CS- the neutral stimulus that will eventually illicit a response
CR- response caused by the CS, usually same response as UR. learned
Extinction
reduction of conditioned response after repeated presentations of conditioned stimulus alone
need reinstatement (occasional re-pairing of CS and US) to prevent it
Spontaneous Recovery
reemergence of a conditioned response some time after extinction has occurred
“Little Albert”
by John Watson. very unethical
paired loud noise with a harmless white rat. made the baby cry even when white rat was presented w/o the noise
discovered stimulus generalization when Albert became scared of other white and furry things
Stimulus Generalization
similar stimulus elicit the same response as conditioned stimulus after classical conditioning
Systematic Desensitization
process used to condition extinction of phobias through gradual exposure to fear object or situation
Conditioned Taste Aversion
form of classical conditioning whereby a previous neutral stimulus (often odor or taste) elicits an aversive reaction after it’s paired with illness
Higher Order Conditioning
Using the conditioned stimulus as a neutral stimulus
secondary conditioning
Operant Conditioning (Skinner)
a form of associative learning. behavior is modified depending on its consequences (reward/punishment)
Behaviorism
systematic study and manipulation of observable behavior
Reinforcer
experience that produces an increase in a certain behavior
Punishment
unpleasurable experience that produces a decrease in a certain behavior
Brain areas involved in Operant Conditioning
reward: prefrontal, nucleus accumbent, ventral tegmental area
punishment: amygdala (fear), somatosensory cortex (pain)
Types of Reinforcers
primary- reinforcers that are intrinsically pleasurable
secondary- reinforcers that are associated with primary reinforcer (ex. money)
Continuous Reinforcement
when behavior is reinforced every time it occurs.
not as effective at maintaining behavior
Ratio schedule of Reinforcement
fixed-ratio: reinforcement occurs after a specific number of responses (high response rate)
interval-ratio: number of responses required for reinforcement varies (high response rate)
Interval schedule of Reinforcement
fixed-interval: reinforcement occurs every time a specific time period has elapsed
variable-interval: reinforcement occurs after varying arounds of time (low response rate)
Behavior Modification
a planned effort to change behavior
Shaping
reward activities that are increasingly closer to a desired final behavior
reward successive approximation of desired behavior
Learned helplessness
repeated exposure to unescapable punishment eventually produces a failure to male escape attempts
Spatial navigation learning
learning that involves forming associations among stimuli relevant to navigating in space
Insight learning
sudden realization of solutions
having “ah-ha” moments
Observational learning
learning that occurs without overt training in response to watching behavior
Modeling
mimicking others behavior
Bandura and Bobo doll
those who watched the violent bobo doll video were more likely to behave violently towards other dolls
raised concerns about violence on tv
Context effect
context helps with recalling the info.
if you learn something in one environment, you may be less likely to recall it in a different environment
Different types of learning are served by Different neural systems
- habituation and sensitization arise from changes in sensory neurons and their related corresponding interneurons and motor neurons
- classical conditioning of eye blink is associated with cerebellum. fear conditioning is with amygdala
- reward learning in midbrain dopamine system
- motor learning in basal ganglia
- spatial navigation and episodic learning in hippocampus
Long-term potentiation
form of synaptic change that involves increased activity in postsynaptic cells after strong, repetitive stimulation
Stereotype threat
awareness of negative stereotype that affects oneself often leads to impairment in performance
Dyslexia
learning disability that involves difficulties in learning to read not caused by defects in general intelligence
Dyscalculia
inability to readily process information about mathematics
Attention-deficit disorder
disorder characterized by an inability to pay attention
Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder
disorder characterized by inability to pay attention and excess activity
