Chapter 7 - Learning Flashcards
Define association
Our minds naturally connect events that occur in sequence
ex. our parent shouts “no”, we get scared, see that angry face and stop
Define associative learning
Learning to associate one stimulus with another, or to associate a response with a reward or punishment
Who studied classical conditioning
Ivan Pavlov
What are the parts of conditioning?
- unconditioned stimulus (food)
- unconditioned response (salivation)
- conditioned stimulus (tone)
- conditioned response (salivation)
What is acquisition?
The initial learning stage in classical conditioning in which an association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus takes place
ex. psychologist michael tirrell - arousal and onion breath
Define extinction
When the unconditioned stimulus
(food) does not follow the conditioned stimulus (tone), conditioned response (salivation) begins to decrease and eventually causes extinction
ex. class experiment - stopped flinching for the word can
Define spontaneous recovery
After a rest period, an extinguished CR spontaneously recovers, but if the CS persists alone, the CR becomes extinct again
ex. class experiment - responded to stimulus again after spraying
Define stimulus generalization
Tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the CS
ex. class experiment - finched for words similar to can
Define stimulus discrimination
The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus
ex. class experiment - stopped flinching for similar words after ext.
Criticisms of classical conditioning?
Behaviourists suggested that learning is constrained by an animal’s biology
Who is John Watson?
Little Albert Experiment - wanted to prove that even emotions and behaviours like fears are just bundles of conditioned responses
Define classical conditioning
Involves respondent behaviour that occurs as an automatic response to a certain stimulus (uncontrollable)
Define operant conditioning
Involves operant behaviour, a behaviour that operates on the environment producing rewarding or punishing stimuli and a controlled response
Who is Thorndike?
Law of effect - rewarded behaviour is likely to occur again
Who is B.F Skinner?
Studied operant conditioning
What is an operant chamber/Skinner box?
Comes with a bar that an animal manipulates to obtain a reinforcer like food or water and the response is recorded
What is the process of establishing a behaviour not presently performed?
Shaping
What is reinforcement?
Any event that strengthens the behaviour it follows
What are the types of reinforcement?
positive reinforcement: add a desirable stimulus
negative reinforcement: remove an aversive stimulus
ex. giving someone stickers, and taking away chores if they do work
What is a punishment?
An aversive event that decreases the behaviour it follows
What are the types of punishments?
positive punishment: administer an aversive stimulus
negative stimulus: withdraw a desirable stimulus
ex. a parking ticket, and taking away screentime
Define fixed-ratio schedule
Reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
ex. buy 1, get 1 free
Define variable-ratio schedule
Reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses
ex. lottery ticket, slot machine, fishing
Define fixed-interval schedule
Reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
ex. checking Google Classroom for a mark
