Developmental psych - Learning Flashcards
Learning
A relatively lasting change in behaviour resulting from experience
Non-associative learning
Habituation and sensitization
Classical (Pavlovian) conditioning
- Occurs when two different stimuli come to be associated with one another. Does not require any action on the part of the learner
- A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus comes to elicit a reflexive response because it has become associated with a stimulus that already produces that response
Unconditioned stimulus
Stimulus that leads to an automatic response (food)
Unconditioned response
An automatic response to a stimulus (dog salivating for food)
Conditioned stimulus
A stimulus that can eventually trigger a conditioned response (bell ringing)
Conditioned response
Learned response to the previously neutral stimulus (salivation)
Rescorla-Wagna model
- A cognitive model of classical conditioning which states that the strength of the CS-US association is determined by the extent to which the US is unexpected or surprising
- This leads to greater effort by the learner to understand why the US appeared
Hebb’s rule
- Without such neuroplasticity, learning wouldn’t be possible -> that rewiring is learning
Acquisition
The gradual formation of an association between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli
Extinction
A process in which the conditioned response is weakened when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus
Spontaneous recovery
A process in which a previously extinguished response re-emerges following presentation of the conditioned stimulus
Stimulus generalization
Occurs when stimuli that are similar but not identical to the conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response
Stimulus discrimination
A differentiation between two similar stimuli when only one of them is consistently associated with the unconditioned stimulus
Second-order conditioning
When something is consistently paired with the conditioned stimulus, without the unconditioned stimulus, and leads to a conditioned response
Latent inhibition
- The idea that it is harder for us to build new associations with familiar stimuli (ex. taco bell making you sick if you eat it every day vs. it making your friend sick who has never had it)
- Some associations are easier to learn than others
Operant (Instrumental) conditioning
- Occurs when a learner operates on their environment to produce a particular result (ex. learning a trick to receive a treat)
- A learning process in which the consequences of an action determine the likelihood that it will be performed in the future
Thorndike’s law of effect
Any behaviour that leads to a “satisfying state of affairs” is more likely to occur again, and any bejaviour that leads to an “annoying state of affairs” is less likely to recur
Shaping
Involves reinforcing behaviours that are increasingly similar to the desired behaviour
Reinforcer
A stimulus that occurs after a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated
Positive reinforcement
Increases the probability of a behaviour being repeated by the administration of a positive, rewarding stimulus
Negative reinforcement
Increases the probability of a behaviour being repeated by the removal or avoidance of a negative, aversive stimulus
Positive punishment
Decreases the probability of a behaviour being repeated by the administration of a negative, punishing stimulus
Negative punishment
Decreases the probability of a behaviour being repeated by the removal of a positive, pleasurable stimulus
The premack principle
- AKA relativity theory of reinforcement, grandma’s rule
- Higher probability behaviours can be used to reinforce lower probability behaviours
Fixed reinforcement
Reinforcement is consistent and predictable
Variable reinforcement
Reinforcement is variable and unpredictable (occurs after a varying number of behaviours, or a varying amount of time)
Ratio reinforcement
Based on number of times the behaviour occurs
Interval reinforcement
Based on the passage of time
Continuous reinforcement
Reinforcer follows every response
Accidental reinforcement
Ex. Skinner w/ his pigeons
- When reinforcement is just a coincidence
Biological constraints
Animals have a difficult time learning behaviours that are incompatible with innate, adaptive behaviours
Olds and Milner
- Accidentally discovered “Pleasure Centres” in rodents
- aka Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS)
- Electrical stimulation > food, water, sex
- Willing to walk across painful electrified grid
- Will press lever until collapse from exhaustion
What makes a reinforcer rewarding?
Usually results from activation of dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens (mesolimbic dopamine pathway)
Edward Tolman study
- Argued that reinforcement had more impact on performance than acquisition/learning
-> Showed that rats could learn a path through a maze without reinforcement, but not reveal their learning until it is reinforced
-> The rats were still forming cognitive maps of their environment
Latent learning
The subconscious retention of information without reinforcement or motivation
Observational learning
Learning that occurs by watching others
Social learning theory
- By Bandura
- The general view that learning is largely or wholly due to modelling, imitation, and other social interactions
- Agreed with behaviourist ideas of reinforcement and punishment but also emphasized the role of social and cognitive factors in learning
Bobo doll study
- Social learning theory
- Kids learning to hit the doll
