Conditioning And Learning Flashcards
Associative learning
The process by which an association between two stimuli, or a behavior and a stimulus (or consequence).
Learning
A relatively permanent behavior change due to experience interactions with the environment.
Conditioning
The processes of learning associations is called conditioning has two main forms: classical conditioning and operant conditioning
Classical conditioning
A type of learning in which we learn to link to stimuli together and anticipate events.
Operant conditioning
Learning to associate a behavior and its consequences
Stimulus
A stimulus is any events or situations that evokes a response
Behaviorism
The idea that psychology should be an objective science-based focuses only observable behavior.
Ivan Pavlov
Classical conditioning was discovered by Ivan Pavlov
Neutral stimulus (NS)
(The bell, before conditioning) a stimulus that elicits No response before conditioning
Unconditioned stimulus (US)
(The food) a stimulus that naturally triggers a response (no conditioning required)
Unconditioned response (UR)
(Salivating to the food) a naturally occurring (unlearned) response to an unconditioned stimulus
Unconditioned stimulus (CS)
(The bell after conditioning) a previously neutral stimulus that after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus comes to trigger a conditioned response
Conditioned response (CR)
(Salivating to the bell) a response that occurs in reaction to a conditioned stimulus
Five major conditioning processes
Acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, and discrimination.
Acquisition
The initial stage when a neutral stimulus is linked to an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus and trigger a conditioned response
Extinction
Repeatedly presenting the CS without the US to illuminate the CR. The CR gradually we can use to nothing. This is adaptive as animals need to be able to forget associations that are not helpful anymore
Spontaneous recovery
The reappearance of ACR after a pause in the extinction process. After waiting for a period of time (example a few hours) the CR sometimes tends to reappear
Generalization
The tendency to display a CR to stimuli that resemble the CES. This is adaptive because learning to fear one animal as well as similar animals can be helpful
Discrimination
The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and a relevant (non-similar) stimuli. This is like the opposite of generalization. Example – the dogs and Pavlov’s experiment learn to respond to the sound of one particular town but not to other towns. Being able to recognize differences is adaptive
Little Albert experiment
Like most infants Little Albert feared loud noises but not white mice. The experimenters (John Watson and Rosalie rayner) paired a loud noise with the white mouse to condition a fear of white mice in Little Albert
Associative learning
Operant conditioning in classical conditioning or both forms of associative learning
Respondent behaviors
Classical conditioning involves responded behaviors which are automatic responses to stimuli.
Operant behaviors
Operant conditioning involves a print behaviors which operates on the environment to produce reinforcement or punishment
Law of effect (E.L.Thorndike)
Behaviors that result is satisfying consequences are more likely to occur. Behaviors that result in discomfort or less likely to occur. To put it another way – behaviors that are followed by reinforcement increases and behaviors that result in punishment decrease
B.F.Skinner
Developed operant conditioning Laurie it was a major pioneer in the field of behavioral psychology. He developed a philosophy of science that he called radical behaviorism. He did not believe persons possess free well. Instead he believed all behaviors are controlled by their histories of reinforcement (conditioning).
Operant chamber (skinner box)
Skinner designed the operant chamber (skinner box) for his studies. The box has a bar or a button that the animal presses or pushes/packs to obtain a food or water reward. It also had a recording device to track and record responses.
Shaping
Reinforcing successive approximations of a behavior in order to train a new behavior. Guiding actions closer and closer to a desired behavior with reinforcement. This is how animal trainers training complex behaviors.
Reinforcement
Any consequence that strengthens or increases the frequency of the behavior it follows
Positive reinforcement
Anything that when presented after a behavior increases the behavior. The keyword is presented (something is added)
Negative reinforcement
Anything that when removed after behavior increases the behavior. The key word is removed (something is taken away). Example – you get negative reinforcement for taking an aspirin because it takes away the headache. Because taking the aspirin remove the pain the next time you have a headache you will be more likely to take an aspirin. Negative reinforcement is not punishment
Primary reinforcers
An object or event that is naturally reinforcing often by satisfy a biological need (food)
Conditioned reinforcers
Also known as secondary reinforcers – an object or event the games it’s reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer (money)
Immediate and delayed reinforcers
Lower animals respond mostly to immediate reinforcement. Humans can also respond effectively to delayed reinforcers (paycheck, great at the end of the semester, degree after years of studying etc.). The ability to work toward the way to reinforcers is a sign of maturity and a key to success in life
Extinction
Went to behavior is not reinforced, it decreases and tends to disappear. Do not reinforce bad behavior
Extinction burst
This is when a behavioral displays an initial or temporary increase in frequency immediately after the behavior is no longer being reinforced
Reinforcement schedule
Defines how or when a response will be reinforced
Continuous reinforcement
The response is reinforced every time it occurs. The best schedule for learning a new behavior. The only problem is extinction occurs rapidly
Partial or intermittent reinforcement schedules
Invoice behavior only part of the time. This results in a slower initial learning then continue but it is more resistant to extinction. Example is a slot machine.
Different types of partial or intermittent reinforcement schedules
Fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, variable interval
Fixed ratio schedule
Reinforces a behavior only after a specific number of responses. Example, after every 10th response or getting a free drink after purchasing 10 drinks. The schedule produces a high rate of responding. Responding is fairly steady with only a slight pause after reinforcement.
Variable ratio schedule
Provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses. Examples – slot machines or fishing. Produces high rates of responding and is highly resistant to extinction
Fixed interval schedule
Reinforces the first response after a certain fixed period of time elapses. Does not produce a smooth response pattern. Animals respond more toward the end of the interval
Variable interval schedule
Reinforces the first response after unpredictable time intervals. Tends to produce slow steady rates of responding
Punishment
Consequence that we can or decreases the frequency of the behavior
Positive punishment
Something is presented which results in a decrease in a behavior. Example – a spanking
Negative punishment
Something is taken away resulting in a decrease in behavior. example – grounding a teenager
Intrinsic motivation
Reinforcement comes from within. Doing something just because you enjoy it. Examples – playing a sport that you find enjoyable, listening to music, watching a movie etc.
Extrinsic motivation
Reinforcement comes from outside. Doing something to obtain an outside reward or avoid punishment
Social learning theory
Albert Bandura – learning is not purely behavioral. It is a comment to process that takes place in a social context. Uses observational learning in modeling also called social cognitive theory.
Observational learning reinforcement
Learning by watching others. Uses vicarious reinforcement. Example – a child who sees his brother burn his finger on a hot stove learns not to touch the stove.
Modeling
The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior
Albert Bandura
Develop the concept of observational learning. He conducted the “Bobo doll” experiments which studied how children learn aggression
4 requirements to observational learning
Attention, retention, initiation and motivation
observational learning principles
Individuals are more likely to adopt a model behavior if it results and outcomes they value. Individuals are more likely to adopt a model behavior if they identify with the model. Individuals are more likely to adopt a model behavior is the model has a admired status
Reciprocal determinism
Just as the environment (social world) influences the individual, the individual also influences the environment.
