Classical & Operant Conditioning Flashcards
Classical Conditioning
occurs unconsciously through associations between stimuli within our environment
Operant Conditioning
learning controlled by the consequences of our behaviour.
Explain classical conditioning
an unconditioned stimulus (food) that naturally elicits a reflexive response (i.e. salivation)
AND a previously neutral stimulus (i.e. bell) that did not elicit the response.
After repeated pairings with the unconditional stimulus the neutral stimulus is able to elicit a response on its own
Acquisition
learning phase during which a
conditioned response is established
Frequency
UCS and CS need to be paired several times before
the CS alone can produce a CR.
Stimulus generalisation:
CR occurs with other stimuli that are similar to the CS, but have never been paired with the UCS.
Unconditioned Stimulus
Any stimulus which naturally elicits a reflexive response
Unconditioned Response
The response naturally elicited by the unconditional stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus
A previously neutral stimulus that is able to elicit a particular response after being paired with the unconditional stimulus
Conditioned Response
The response is elicited by the conditioned stimulus
Stimulus discrimination:
stimuli which are similar to the CS produce a less pronounced CR (or no response at all)
Extinction
gradual reduction and eventual elimination of the CR after the CS is presented repeatedly without the UCS.
What is Thorndike’s Law of Effect?
Behaviours which lead to a “satisfying state of affairs” are more likely to be repeated in the future.
What is Reinforcement?
Stimulus which occurs after the behaviour and
increases the likelihood that the behaviour will occur again
What is Punishment?
Stimulus which occurs after the behaviour and
decreases the likelihood that the behaviour will occur again.
What is Positive Reinforcement?
The presentation of a pleasant stimulus after a behaviour
What is Negative Reinforcement?
The removal of an unpleasant stimulus after a behaviour
What is Positive Punishment?
The presentation of an unpleasant stimulus after a behaviour
What is Negative Punishment?
The removal of a pleasant stimulus after a behaviour
What is Extinction Burst?
A sudden increase in behavior when the reinforcement, or reward, for an undesirable behavior has been removed
Initial increase in behaviour following withdrawal
of reinforcement.
The behaviour is not forgotten… spontaneous recovery may occur if behaviour is reinforced again
What are Schedules of Reinforcement?
Rules used to present reinforcers following a specified operant behaviour
Continuous Reinforcement Schedules
Reinforcement occurs after every response (after
each time the behaviour is performed
Intermittent/partial reinforcement schedules
Reinforcement occurs intermittently rather than
after every response
(Fixed or variable)
(Ratio schedules or interval schedules)
Fixed Ratio (number of behaviours)
Reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of
behavioural responses
Variable Ratio (number of behaviours)
Reinforcement occurs after variable number of
behavioural responses, the average of which is predetermined.
Fixed Interval (amount of time)
Reinforcement occurs for the first behavioural
response performed following a specified time interval
Variable Interval (amount of time)
Reinforcement occurs for the first behavioural response performed after a variable time interval,
the average of which is predetermined
