Learning Flashcards
How can we define learning?
Its when we acquire a skill and master it, by finding a way to utilize it within our lives
What was Ivan Pavlov initially interested in?
Discovered classical conditioning by accident. He was studying dogs and how much saliva they produced, only because of his initial interest in the digestive system
Please explain the following statement: Classical conditioning is also considered associative learning.
In classical conditioning, learning occurs most quickly when the Conditioned Stimulus (CS) and Unconditioned Stimulus (US) are paired simultaneously. This illustrates associative learning, where a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
Explain the concept of classical conditioning, use Pavlov’s dogs as an example make sure you use the terms neutral stimulus (NS), unconditioned stimulus (UCS), unconditioned response (UCR), conditioned stimulus (CS), and conditioned response (CR).
In Pavlov’s experiments, the dogs salivated each time meat powder was presented to them. The meat powder in this situation was an unconditioned stimulus (UCS): a stimulus that elicits a reflexive response in an organism. The dogs’ salivation was an unconditioned response (UCR): a natural (unlearned) reaction to a given stimulus. Before conditioning, think of the dogs’ stimulus and response like this: Meat powder (UCS) → Salivation (UCR)
In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus is presented immediately before an unconditioned stimulus. Pavlov would sound a tone (like ringing a bell) and then give the dogs the meat powder (Figure 2). The tone was the neutral stimulus (NS), which is a stimulus that does not naturally elicit a response. Prior to conditioning, the dogs did not salivate when they just heard the tone because the tone had no association for the dogs. Quite simply this pairing means: Tone (NS) + Meat Powder (UCS) → Salivation (UCR) When Pavlov paired the tone with the meat powder over and over again, the previously neutral stimulus (the tone) also began to elicit salivation from the dogs. Thus, the neutral stimulus became the conditioned stimulus (CS), which is a stimulus that elicits a response after repeatedly being paired with an unconditioned stimulus. Eventually, the dogs began to salivate to the tone alone, just as they previously had salivated at the sound of the assistants’ footsteps. The behavior caused by the conditioned stimulus is called the conditioned response (CR). In the case of Pavlov’s dogs, they had learned to associate the tone (CS) with being fed, and they began to salivate (CR) in anticipation of food.
Extinction
The process of removing a conditioned association is called extinction. In order to extinguish a conditioned association, we need to break the link between the CS- DOCTOR and the UCS- NEEDLE.
Spontaneous Recovery
the next time the doctor is presented along with the shot, the fear response will return. This is called Spontaneous Recovery, Sometimes a learned response can suddenly reemerge, even after a period of extinction.
Generalization
Stimulus generalization is the tendency for a conditioned stimulus to evoke similar responses after the response has been conditioned. Lets say a child has previously been conditioned to fear doctors and now is forced to take a tour in a science lab. While the child is in the lab they see multiple scientists wearing white lab coats.
Discrimination
If the child sees the doctor is paired with unpleasant events (shots), while the presence of the scientist is associated with neutral or pleasant events, the child will show discrimination. Discrimination is the ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that have not been paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
Before the term Operant Conditioning came about, it was a concept that had a different name and created by a different person. Please explain
Instrumental conditioning, Edward Thorndike originally studied this concept, At that time, Thorndike called it instrumental conditioning. At the same time that Ivan Pavlov was working with dogs and bells, Thorndike was working with cats and puzzle boxes
Later, the concept and processes of operant conditioning was furthered and really credited to whom?
B.F. Skinner agreed with Thorndike and wanted to study Instrumental Conditioning further. Skinner began to work with Thorndike’s ideas and decided to term this process Operant conditioning
Classical conditioning
involuntary response or a reflexive response (UCR) to a particular stimulus(UCS) or event, the learner is passive (DOG NATURALLY SALIVATES, INVOLUNTARY RESPONSE “NATURAL”)
Operant conditioning
the subject’s learned behavior is determined by what follows their behavior (rewards or consequences). (VOLUNTARY RESPONSE
What is a reinforcement/ reinforcer?
They are considered a favorable (pleasant) consequence or reward for a wanted behavior.
Define positive reinforcement
is a type of reward that is given to the subject after they performed the wanted behavior
These lead to positive and favorable outcomes
Define negative reinforcement (is negative reinforcement punishment?)
Negative reinforcement is not punishment, it still creates a pleasant/ positive outcome and the wanted behavior. The word “Negative” means removal of a stimulus to increase a behavior
Define positive punishment
AKA-Punishers or Punishment, Adding unpleasant stimuli (which is why it is called positive) to decrease unwanted behavior.
Define negative punishment. What’s another name for it?
OMISSION TRAINING, The removal (which is why it is called negative) of something pleasant to decrease an unwanted behavior.
Explain continuous reinforcement
This is when a learner receives a reward after every correct answer.
