Learning Flashcards
What is learning
A relatively permanent change in how we think, feel, and behave as a result of experience
What are the 3 major ways in which we learn
- Classical conditioning, 2. Operant conditioning, 3. Observational learning
What does the term conditioning mean
to form associations
what is classical conditioning
We learn to associate 2 events of stimuli. We learn that one event signals the arrival of another event. Allows us to prepare ourselves.
Who is Pavlov and what is his major experiment
Researched classical conditioning. His experiment is related to “pavlovs dogs” in terms of making dogs salivate to the sound of a bell
What are psychic secretions
a biological secretion that is not warranted. ex// salivation to a sound, it has nothing to do with digestion
What is an unconditioned stimulus and unconditioned response
No learning is required. Placing food in the dogs mouth will cause him to salivate. The food is the unconditioned stimulus and the salivation is a natural and reflective response to the food, making it the unconditioned response.
What is a neutral stimulus
A stimulus that doesnt affect the subject. Ex// ringing a bell would not normally cause the dog to salivate
What is conditioned stimulus and conditioned response
A stimulus that wouldnt normally arouse a response, that now arouses a response, is a conditioned stimulus. The conditioned response is the response that would not normally have happened. Ex// the dogs salivating is the unconditioned response to the unconditioned stimulus (bell).
What is higher-order conditioning
using the conditioned stimulus to produce a second-level response. Ex// using the bell to train the dog to salivate at a red triangle
What is acquisition
The process in which higher-order conditioning takes place.
What is respondent behavior?
A response that occurs in the presence of a stimulus.
How does frequency affect classical conditioning
The more often we show the subject a stimuli and response, we more often they associate the two.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning a behavior by associating it with its consequences.
How does timing affect classical conditioning?
timing matters. As soon as we flash the conditioned stimulus, we have to give them the unconditioned stimulus for them to make an association. Ex// we must give the dog food immediately after ringing bell
What is a fundamental principle?
A fundamental principle in operant condition is that behaviour is controlled by its consequences.
For example: If a behaviour produces a desired consequence, we’re more likely to repeat it. On the other hand, if a behaviour an undesirable consequence, we are less likely to repeat it.
What is the law of effect?
When a behaviour produces an undesirable or desirable consequence, we are less or more likely to repeat it.
Who is Thorndike?
He is the one who stipulated the law of effect and started the research on operant conditioning.
How does order of presentation affect classical conditioning?
we must sound the bell first and then give the dog food. This is because the bell announces the arrival of food. We cannot mix these two up.
Who is Skinner?
His name is linked and associated with operant conditioning.
What are the ABC’s in “learning”?
A = Antecedent
B = Behaviour
C = Consequence
What is an extinction procedure
We preform conditioned stimulus, but dont preform unconditioned stimulus. Eventually, dog learns that food (unconditioned stimulus) isn’t coming, so he stops his conditioned response (doesn’t salivate cause he knows the food isn’t coming)
What is a reinforcant?
Reinforcer is a consequence of a behaviour that makes the behaviour more likely repeat in the future.
What are the 2 major types of reinforcer?
Positive and negative.
What is a positive reinforcer?
When we do a behaviour, it produces a consequence such that we’re going to get/recieve something pleasant.
A negative reinforcer is likely to:
Likely to increase the probability that the behaviour will occure again.
What is spontaneous recovery
We preformed a successful extinction procedure, but randomly and out of the blue,without any retraining whatsoever, we ring the bell, and the dog salivate. However, without any further training, this behaviour will go away.
What are the two forms of negative reinforcers?
Escape and Avoidance.
What is the form of negative reinforcer where you prevent something from happening before it gets to you?
Avoidance.