FM1 Pt1-8c Learning Theory & Behaviour Modification Flashcards
What is habituation in the context of feline behavior?
Habituation is the reduction of a psychological or behavioral response when a specific harmless stimulus occurs repeatedly.
What is sensitization, and how does it differ from habituation?
Sensitization is the opposite of habituation; the animal becomes more sensitive to a specific stimulus over time.
What is classical conditioning, and who is most famously associated with it?
Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a response due to repeated pairing with another stimulus. Ivan Pavlov is most famously associated with it.
Can you give an example of classical conditioning in cats?
An example is a cat developing a fear response to the sound of a needle cover being snapped open before an injection.
What is operant (instrumental) conditioning according to B.F. Skinner?
Operant conditioning is the process by which behavior changes due to the consequences it produces, such as rewards or punishments.
What is positive reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement is the process of increasing the frequency of a behavior by rewarding it with something pleasant.
What is negative reinforcement?
Negative reinforcement is the process of increasing the frequency of a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus when the behavior is performed.
What is positive punishment?
Positive punishment involves applying an unpleasant consequence in response to an undesired behavior.
What is negative punishment?
Negative punishment involves removing a pleasant consequence in response to an undesired behavior.
What is the goal of behavior modification through extinction?
The goal of extinction is to reduce or eliminate a behavior by removing the reinforcement that previously maintained it.
What is shaping in behavior modification?
Shaping is a technique where behavior is modified by reinforcing actions that are progressively closer to the desired behavior.
What is systematic desensitization, and when is it used?
Systematic desensitization is a technique used to treat fears and phobias by gradually exposing the animal to increasingly intense forms of the stimulus while the animal is relaxed.
When should a veterinary surgeon refer a cat behavior case to a specialist?
Referral should occur when the behavior problem requires expertise beyond what is reasonable in general practice, as these problems can be life-threatening.
What should be considered when employing a behaviorist for feline cases?
It’s important to work with a behaviorist who has particular interest and experience with feline patients, and who has appropriate qualifications and professional indemnity insurance.
