Learning Flashcards
Definition of learning
A relatively durable change in behavior/knowledge due to experience
Describe classical conditioning
- Ivan Pavlov
- A stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus
- Two initially unrelated ideas are paired up, e.g. Pavlov’s dog: bell and food
Define stimulus generalization
A conditioned organism responds in the same way to a new, similar stimuli
Define stimulus discrimination
Occurs when a conditioned organism does not respond in the same way to a new, similar stimulus
Applications of conditioning
- Aversion
- Pair problem behavior with aversion stimuli
- E.g. bitter taste, discomfort
- Advertising
- Pair product with favorable celebrity
Describe operant conditioning
- BF Skinner
- Voluntary responses come to be controlled by their consequences
- Tend to repeat responses followed by favorable consequences
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Reinforcement
- strengthens the response tendency
Primary VS Secondary Reinforcers
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Primary
- does not need to learn the value, e.g. food, water
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Secondary
- reinforce properties through repeated association, e.g. money, praise
Describe the four different consequences of behavior
-
Reinforcement
- When a response is strengthened
- Positive reinforcement: strengthened response due to addition of rewarding stimulus
- Negative reinforcement: strengthened response due to removal of aversive stimulus
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Punishment
- When a response is weakened
- Positive punishment: weakened response due to addition of aversive stimulus
- Negative punishment: weakened response due to removal of rewarding stimulus
Name the four key processes in observational learning
- Attention
- Retention
- Reproduction
- Motivation
Define evaluative conditioning
- Changes in the liking of a stimulus due to pairing of said stimulus with other positive or negative stimuli
- Application: images of adverse health effects paired with cigarette packets fosters negative attitudes about smoking
Define extinction in classical conditioning
- The gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response tendency
- Suppresses conditioned response rather than erasing a learned association
Define spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning
Reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of non-exposure to the conditioned stimulus
Define renewal effect in classical conditioning
If a response is extinguished in a different environment than it was acquired, the extinguished response will reappear if the subject is returned to the original environment where acquisition took place
Define higher-order conditioning
- Conditioned stimulus functions like an unconditioned stimulus
- eg Pavlov’s dog: pair red light with bell —> dog salivates in response to red light
Define resistance to extinction in operant conditioning
Occurs when the subject continues to make a response after delivery of the reinforcer for it has been terminated
Define discriminative stimuli in operant behavior
Cues that influence operant behavior by indicating probable consequences of a response
Describe schedule of reinforcement
- Specific pattern of presentation of reinforcers over time
- Continuous: every instance of designated response is reinforced
- Intermittent: designated response is sometimes reinforced
Fixed VS Variable ratio schedule
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Fixed
- Reinforcer given after fixed number of non-reinforced responses
- eg salesperson receives bonus for every fourth item sold
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Variable
- Reinforcer given after a variable number of non-reinforced responses
- eg casino slot machine pays off once every six tries on average
Fixed VS Variable interval schedule
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Fixed
- Reinforcer given for the first response after a fixed time interval
- eg get clean clothes from washing machine every one hour
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Variable
- Reinforcer given for the first response after a variable time interval
- eg person repeatedly dials a busy phone number
Define escape learning
Subjects acquires response that decreases or ends aversive stimulation
Define avoidance learning
Subject acquires a response that prevents aversive stimulation from occurring
Define observational learning
Occurs when the subject’s responding is influenced by the observation of others (models)
