Learning Flashcards
Operant Conditioning
Type of learning process in which behaviour is modified by the consequence following the behaviour
Classical Conditioning
Type of unconscious or automatic learning
How does Classical Conditioning work?
Learning where a conditioned response occurs due to a relationship between unconditioned stimuli with neutral stimuli
Observational Conditioning
Type of learning that happens indirectly through watching others
Personal Difference in Learning
People learn in different ways
There are many factors that influence the learning process
Unconditioned Stimuli (US)
Promotes an innate or automatic response from test subjects
The response is natural to the stimulus
Conditioned Stimuli (CS)
The neutral stimulus that has now elicited a response
Occurs after conditioning has occurred
Neutral Stimuli (NS)
A stimulus that at first does not elicit a response
Conditioned Response (CR)
Neutral stimulus (now conditioned) results in an action/behaviour
Occurs after conditioning
Little Albert
Watson & Raynor investigated if fear could be a learned response through classical conditioning principles.
A baby was conditioned to fear white rats.
Stimulus Generalisation
The ability to behave in a new situation in a way that has been learned in other similar situations.
When does Stimulus Generalisation Occur?
Occurs when the conditioned response is elicited on the presentation of another similar stimulus other than the conditioned stimulus.
Stimulus Discrimination
Learns to respond differently to various stimuli that are similar
Occurs when a subject responds to the conditioned stimulus only, not any other similar to the conditioned stimulus.
What happens during the Acquisition Stage?
Subjects learn to link the conditioned and unconditioned stimulus
Form association between the neutral and unconditioned stimulus
What is the Acquisition Stage?
Acquisition is the learning process in which the response is established
Performance Stage
Occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer required to be present for the conditioned response to occur
Contiguity (Classical)
Is the timing of the stimulus being presented in order for the conditioning to occur.
Contingency (Classical)
Is the relationship between stimulus and expectation that one’s comes with the other
The predictability of the occurrence of one stimulus to another
Extinction
Occurs when the conditioned stimulus is continually presented without the unconditioned stimulus
Preparedness (Classical)
The predisposition humans and animals have to avoid harm
Psychologists believe humans and animals are biologically programmed to form associations between stimuli that threaten survival or expose them to harm
Spontaneous Recovery
Occurs after an interval where the conditioned and the unconditioned stimulus are reintroduced
The conditioned stimulus will elicit the conditioned response
B.F Skinner
Taught animals to perform voluntary behaviours
Used reinforcement with food
Found reinforced behaviour is strengthened while behaviour not reinforced weakens