L3&4 Learning

Question 1

What is learning

Answer 1

• enduring
• observable behaviour
• results from experience

Question 2

Behaviour definition

Answer 2

anything and everything organisms do

Question 3

Simple learning

Answer 3

Learning can occur with a single stimulus if it is repeated

Question 4

Simple learning - Habituation

Answer 4

decrease in the strength of an elicit behaviour following repeated presentations of the stimulus that naturally elicits that response
- learned decrease

Question 5

Simple learning - Sensitisation

Answer 5

Increase in the strength of an elicit response following repeated presentations of the stimulus that naturally elicits that response
- occur when stimulus is very intense or has evolutionary relevance for danger

Question 6

Classical conditioning

Answer 6

Phenomenon whereby an initially external stimulus comes to elicit a new response because it has been paired with a stimulus that naturally elicits a response

Question 7

Who discovered classical conditioning

Answer 7

Ivan Pavlov

Question 8

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 8

stimulus that naturally elicits a response before conditioning occurs

Question 9

Unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 9

The innate response that is elicited by the UCS
- conditioning is not necessary

Question 10

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 10

Initially neutral stimulus that begins to elicit a new response after it is paired with the UCS

Question 11

Conditioned response (CR)

Answer 11

response that is elicited by the CS after classical conditioning has occurred

Question 12

Acquisition

Answer 12

gradual learning of a conditioned response that occurs when the CS and UCS are paired together
- normally occurs gradually

Question 13

Extinction

Answer 13

gradual wreaking of the conditioned response when the CS is no longer presented with the UCS

Question 14

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 14

re-emergence of the conditioned response after successful extinction when the CS is encountered after a delay

Question 15

does extinction erase the original acquisition learning?

Answer 15

extinction does not erase the original acquisition learning –> creates a new learning which suppresses the acquisition learning

Question 16

generalisation

Answer 16

Adaptive, allows important learning to extend to situations that are similar

Question 17

Discrimination

Answer 17

tenancy for a response to be elicited more by one stimulus than another
- can be trained

Question 18

Factor influencing conditioning - Timing

Answer 18

classical conditioning works best when
- CS is presented before the UCS
- when the CS and UCS are close together in time

Question 19

Factor influencing conditioning - Predictability

Answer 19

• CS must provide the organism with information on whether the UCS is likely to occur
• CS must predict the occurrence of the UCS

Question 20

Factor influencing conditioning - Novelty

Answer 20

conditioning works best when the CS is novel

Question 21

Salience

Answer 21

Conditioning works best when the CS is noticeable but not overpowering

Question 22

Treatment for fear

Answer 22

Exposure therapy – extinction
relapse rates are high because extinction is a learned suppression of the original acquisition learning

Question 23

Goal of modern research

Answer 23

strengthen extinction learning and reduce relapse of fear after exposure therapy

Question 24

Other applications of classical conditioning

Answer 24

• worsen addictions
  CSs with a drug (UCS) become conditioned and can elicit cravings
• likes and dislikes
• advertisements
  pairs new products (CSs) with around or liked UCSs

Question 25

Operant conditioning

Answer 25

When behaviours are shaped by their consequences * type of learning in which the future probability of a behaviour is affected by its consequences

Question 26

Edward thorndike

Answer 26

studied intelligence in cats using a puzzle box

Question 27

B.F. Skinner

Answer 27

provided definitions of punishment and reinforcement * Reinforcement - increases behaviour * Punishment - decreases behaviour

Question 28

Operant consequences

Answer 28

Influences the probability that the behaviour will be performed again

Question 29

consequence increases the future probability of the behaviour

Answer 29

Consequence: reinforcer Process: reinforcement

Question 30

consequence decreases the future probability of the behaviour

Answer 30

Consequence: punisher Process: punishment

Question 31

Something is added

Answer 31

Positive

Question 32

Something is removed

Answer 32

negative

Question 33

Positive reinforcement

Answer 33

presentation of stimulus following a response, which then leads to an increase in the future strength of that response

Question 34

Negative reinforcement

Answer 34

removal of a stimulus following a response, which then leads to an increase in the future strength of that response

Question 35

Positive punishment

Answer 35

Presentation of a stimulus following a response, which then leads to a decrease in the future strength of that response

Question 36

Negative punishment

Answer 36

removal of a stimulus following a response, which then leads to a decrease in the future strength of that response

Question 37

Acquisition

Answer 37

gradual strengthening of the frequency of an operant behaviour when it is followed by the consequences

Question 38

Extinction

Answer 38

gradual weakening of the frequency of the operant response when it is no longer followed by the consequence

Question 39

Spontaneous recover

Answer 39

re-emergence of a previously extinguished response after a delay

Question 40

Shaping

Answer 40

used to reinforce a behaviour that is infrequent or does not occur at all * involves reinforcing closer and closer approximations of the desired behaviour

Question 41

Primary reinforcers

Answer 41

things we find naturally or innately reinforcing * requires no training to be effective as a reinforcer

Question 42

Secondary reinforcers

Answer 42

Things that have become reinforcing because they have been associated with a primary reinforcer * requires training to be an effective reinforcer

Question 43

Generalisation

Answer 43

perform the same behaviour in new similar situations

Question 44

Discrimination

Answer 44

occurs when we perform a behaviour in some circumstances and not others

Question 45

Factors affecting operant conditioning - timing

Answer 45

consequence should follow the behaviour immediately * delay - another behaviour can be accidentally punished / reinforced

Question 46

Factors affecting operant conditioning- magnitude of the reinforcer/publisher

Answer 46

Bigger rewards/punishers have more powerful impacts on behaviour

Question 47

Continuous reinforcement schedule

Answer 47

behaviour is reinforced every time it occurs

Question 48

Partial reinforcement schedules

Answer 48

only some responses are reinforced