excitation & inhibition in Pavlovian conditioning - l1 Mitchell Flashcards
What is the main focus of the first lecture?
Learning cause-effect relationships
This lecture introduces the foundational concepts of associative learning.
Define Neutral Stimulus (NS)
A stimulus that initially produces no specific response
NS is a key component in Pavlovian conditioning.
Define Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned response
The CS is crucial for creating learned associations.
Define Unconditioned Stimulus (US)
A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning
US is essential in the Pavlovian conditioning process.
Define Conditioned Response (CR)
A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become conditioned
The CR results from the pairing of CS and US.
Define Unconditioned Response (UR)
An unlearned response that occurs naturally in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus
UR is the innate reaction that is not learned.
What do control conditions in experiments help determine?
Whether the CS-US pairings are important
Control conditions are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of conditioning.
What is an S-R link?
An association between the Conditioned Stimulus and the Unconditioned Response
This is one type of association that can be formed in Pavlovian conditioning.
What is an S-S link?
An association between the Conditioned Stimulus and the Unconditioned Stimulus
This type of link is often thought of in terms of memory connections.
What is the Prediction Error model of learning?
Learning occurs when predictions are wrong, indicating a need to adjust understanding
-discreprancy between what you expect and what happens
This model emphasizes the importance of discrepancies in learning.
What happens at the start of a learning curve?
Predictions are often wrong, leading to fast learning
Early stages of learning are characterized by high prediction errors.
What happens at the end of a learning curve?
Predictions are correct, resulting in no further learning
This reflects a plateau in the learning process.
Fill in the blank: The five effects of prediction error include _______.
Inhibition, Blocking, Extinction, Protection from extinction, Learning curves
These effects illustrate different learning processes influenced by prediction errors.
What is the Summation Test?
A test to determine the inhibitory effect of one cue on another
e.g. predicting whether a fruit will cause a migraine using the predictive value from conditioning
This test evaluates how associations transfer between cues.
What does inhibition in associative learning refer to?
A CS predicts the absence of the US, forming a negative associative strength
Inhibition indicates that the presence of one cue reduces the expectation of another outcome.
What is second order conditioning?
A process where a second conditioned stimulus is associated with the first conditioned stimulus
This allows for new associations to be formed based on previously learned ones.
True or False: Inhibition requires more training than second order conditioning.
True
Inhibition involves more cognitive processing and time compared to second order conditioning.
How does Pavlovian conditioning help organisms?
It allows them to prepare for the Unconditioned Stimulus
This preparation can enhance survival by enabling appropriate responses to anticipated events.
What is an example of a Conditioned Response (CR) in fear conditioning?
Freezing or increased adrenalin
These responses are adaptive behaviors that enhance survival in threatening situations.
What can occur when a pigeon pecks a light in an omission schedule?
The light goes off and food is not delivered
This highlights the complexities of learning and behavior in conditioning scenarios.
what is a classic conditioning experiment?
metronome played to dog -> no response (NS)
food put in front of dog(US) -> no response (UR)
metronome (ns)+ food(us) -> salivation (UR)
metronome (CS) -> salivation (CR)
what is important for control conditions in classical conditioning?
whether the CS-US pairings are important!
how do we test whether CS-US pairings are important?
CS with US
US then CS
CS/US - RANDOMLY
In experimental conditions keep CS-US the same!
what is learnt in the classical conditioning?
an association between the CS and UR -> an S-R link
association between CS & US
what did Pleyers et al 2007 do?
shown a brand followed by a picture
asked ppts to respond nicely to good pictures and badly to bad pictures
-> than after shown the series of pictures asked to rate the brand items on how much they like them
-> found that healthy items were rated 80% like on the scale whereas unhealthy rated 20% -> due to the conditioning
why is learning faster at the beginning?
the outcome is more surprising -> than drops off as everything else is learnt
what is a negative prediction error?
when something you expect to happen, doesn’t happen
what is an excitatory CS-US Association?
positive associative strength which causes the outcome
what is an inhibitory CS-US association?
negative associative strength which prevents the outcome
what happens in within compound associations?
there are two different trials
-cs becomes conditioned with another cs,
thinking of one, ruins the other
what did Yin et al,1994 research and find?
Non-humans: number of trials
Large number of training trials = inhibition
Small number of training trials = 2nd order conditioning
what did Karazinov & Boakes 2007 find?
Humans: time to think (Karazinov & Boakes, 2007)
Lots of time to think = inhibition
Little time to think = 2nd order conditioning
pacing interferes with learning successive associations more than with learning simultaneous associations.
Inhibition requires some time and thought…
2nd order conditioning is just remembering what went with what….?
when can pavlovian conditioning be unhelpful?
Hearst & Jenkins 1974
