Learning

Question 1

learning

Answer 1

relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of experience

Question 2

What are the three theories for learning?

Answer 2

1. classical conditioning
2. operant conditioning
3. cognitive learning

Question 3

Define: classical conditioning

Answer 3

learning that takes place when two stimuli, one conditioned and one unconditioned, are presented together to induce the same response
Pavlov’s example:
- Dogs learned to salivate in response to the bell chime because it was followed by food

Question 4

Define acquisition as it relates to classical conditioning.

Answer 4

passively learning to give a known response to a new stimulus

Question 5

Define stimulus as it relates to classical conditioning.

Answer 5

change in the environment that brings about a response

Question 6

Define response as it relates to classical conditioning.

Answer 6

reaction to a stimulus

Question 7

Stimuli that increase the likelihood of a behavior are called __________.

Answer 7

reinforcers

Question 8

reinforcers

Answer 8

Stimuli that increase the likelihood of a behavior

Question 9

Define in terms of Pavlov's experiment:
neutral stimulus (NS)

Answer 9

stimulus that initially does not elicit a response until it becomes CS
Pavlov’s example:
The NS is the bell because it does not produce salivation until it is paired with the food.

Question 10

Define in terms of Pavlov's experiment:
unconditioned stimulus (UCS or US)

Answer 10

reflexively, automatically brings about a response (ie: food)

Question 11

Define in terms of Pavlov's experiment:
unconditioned response (UCR or UR)

Answer 11

automatic, involuntary reaction to the unconditioned stimulus (ie, salivation)

Question 12

Define in terms of Pavlov's experiment:
conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 12

starts as neutral stimulus, but when paired with UCS, eventually brings about the conditioned response (ie: bell chime afterwards)

Question 13

Define in terms of Pavlov's experiment:
conditioned response (CR)

Answer 13

learned response to a previously neutral stimulus (ie, salivation afterwards)

Question 14

How is delayed conditioning timed?

Answer 14

Delayed presentation of UCS after CS, the longer the delay, the less likely conditioning is to occur

Question 15

How is trace conditioning timed?

Answer 15

neutral stimulus is presented and then taken away before the unconditioned stimulus appears (basically, a much delayed conditioning)

Question 16

How is simultaneous conditioning timed?

Answer 16

neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are presented together at the same time

Question 17

How is backward conditioning timed?

Answer 17

unconditioned stimulus is presented before the neutral stimulus

Question 18

What researcher(s) were behind the Little Albert experiment?

Answer 18

John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner

Question 19

Explain the Little Albert classical conditioning experiment.

Answer 19

conditioned a nine-month-old baby named Albert to fear a rat
Albert wouldn’t cry from the sight of the rat, but cried from loud noise
loud noise was played when Albert reached for the rat
Albert eventually cried at sight of the rat

Question 20

Define in terms of classical conditioning:

extinction

Answer 20

elimination of the CR through presenting the CS without the UCS repeatedly
Pavlov’s example: ring bell without food, dog will not salivate from bell
Little Albert: present rat without loud noise, baby will not cry from rat

Question 21

Define in terms of classical conditioning:

spontaneous recovery

Answer 21

original response disappears and then returns later on w/o any repeated pairing

Question 22

Define in terms of classical conditioning:

generalization

Answer 22

stimuli similar to the CS elicit the CR without any new conditioning

Question 23

Define in terms of classical conditioning:

discrimination

Answer 23

CR is only produced by the presence of the CS but no other perhaps similar stimuli because there others are not paired.

Question 24

What is higher-order (a.k.a. second-order) conditioning?

Answer 24

learning which occurs when a previously learned CS is now used as the US to produce a CR to a new stimulus
Example:
Flashing a light before Pavlov’s bell would train the dogs to salivate from only the light.

Question 25

Define:

operant conditioning

Answer 25

learning that occurs when a subject performs certain VOLUNTARY behavior, and the consequences of the behavior determine the likelihood of its recurrence

Question 26

How did Edward Thorndike contribute to research on operant conditioning?

Answer 26

Cats in puzzle boxes to demonstrate trial and error in obtaining a fish
coined the terms “instrumental learning” and “Law of Effect”

Question 27

What is instrumental learning?

Answer 27

Thorndike’s term for type of associative learning where a behavior becomes more or less probable depending on its consequence

Question 28

Explain the Law of Effect.

Answer 28

concluded by Edward Thorndike
behaviors followed by a positive consequence are strengthened and more likely to occur
behaviors followed by a negative consequence are weakened and less likely to occur

Question 29

What is a Skinner box?

Answer 29

• Designed by BF Skinner
• Operant conditioning chamber
• -> Levers
• -> Food dispensers
• -> Lights
• -> Electrified grid

Question 30

What are the four training procedures of B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning?

Answer 30

1. positive reinforcement
2. negative reinforcement
3. positive punishment
4. negative punishment

Question 31

Define in terms of operant conditioning:

positive reinforcement

Answer 31

reward training
- A reinforcer follows a behavior to increase the likelihood of its repetition.
Example:
praise after participating in class

Question 32

What is the Premack principle?

Answer 32

• a more probable (desirable) behavior to reinforce a less probably (less desirable) behavior
  Example:
  treating yourself to an hour of TV after spending three hours studying for an exam

Question 33

Define in terms of operant conditioning:

negative reinforcement

Answer 33

removing an unpleasant consequence
Example:
Kid does dishes every day. Ask them to finish the food so they don’t need to do it.

Question 34

What are avoidance and escape behaviors?

Answer 34

1. avoidance behavior: takes away the aversive stimulus before it begins
2. escape behavior: takes away the aversive stimulus after it has already started

Question 35

Define in terms of operant conditioning:

punishment (positive)

Answer 35

unpleasant consequencethat follows a voluntary behavior, decreasing the probability that the behavior will be repeated;
Example:
spanking a child for misbehaving

Question 36

Define in terms of operant conditioning:
omission training (negative punishment)

Answer 36

removing a rewarding consequence following a voluntary behavior, decreasing the probability the behavior will be repeated
Example:
taking away a child’s toy after misbehaving

Question 37

What is aversive conditioning?

Answer 37

learning that involves an unpleasant stimulus or reinforcer, such asnegative reinforcement and punishment

Question 38

Define:

learned helplessness

Answer 38

state of feeling powerless to change yourself or your situation because of a prior inability to avoid an aversive event

Question 39

What are the three types of reinforcers?

Answer 39

1. primary
2. secondary
3. generalized