Learning

Question 1

Definition of learning

Answer 1

A relatively durable change in behavior/knowledge due to experience

Question 2

Describe classical conditioning

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Define stimulus generalization

Answer 3

A conditioned organism responds in the same way to a new, similar stimuli

Question 4

Define stimulus discrimination

Answer 4

Occurs when a conditioned organism does not respond in the same way to a new, similar stimulus

Question 5

Applications of conditioning

Answer 5

• Aversion
  
  • Pair problem behavior with aversion stimuli
  • E.g. bitter taste, discomfort
• Advertising
  
  • Pair product with favorable celebrity

Question 6

Describe operant conditioning

Answer 6

• BF Skinner
• Voluntary responses come to be controlled by their consequences
• Tend to repeat responses followed by favorable consequences
• Reinforcement
  
  • strengthens the response tendency

Question 7

Primary VS Secondary Reinforcers

Answer 7

• Primary
  
  • does not need to learn the value, e.g. food, water
• Secondary
  
  • reinforce properties through repeated association, e.g. money, praise

Question 8

Describe the four different consequences of behavior

Answer 8

• 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
• 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

Question 9

Name the four key processes in observational learning

Answer 9

• Attention
• Retention
• Reproduction
• Motivation

Question 10

Define evaluative conditioning

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Define extinction in classical conditioning

Answer 11

• The gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response tendency
• Suppresses conditioned response rather than erasing a learned association

Question 12

Define spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning

Answer 12

Reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of non-exposure to the conditioned stimulus

Question 13

Define renewal effect in classical conditioning

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Define higher-order conditioning

Answer 14

• Conditioned stimulus functions like an unconditioned stimulus
• eg Pavlov’s dog: pair red light with bell —> dog salivates in response to red light

Question 15

Define resistance to extinction in operant conditioning

Answer 15

Occurs when the subject continues to make a response after delivery of the reinforcer for it has been terminated

Question 16

Define discriminative stimuli in operant behavior

Answer 16

Cues that influence operant behavior by indicating probable consequences of a response

Question 17

Describe schedule of reinforcement

Answer 17

• Specific pattern of presentation of reinforcers over time
• Continuous: every instance of designated response is reinforced
• Intermittent: designated response is sometimes reinforced

Question 18

Fixed VS Variable ratio schedule

Answer 18

• Fixed
  
  • Reinforcer given after fixed number of non-reinforced responses
  • eg salesperson receives bonus for every fourth item sold
• Variable
  
  • Reinforcer given after a variable number of non-reinforced responses
  • eg casino slot machine pays off once every six tries on average

Question 19

Fixed VS Variable interval schedule

Answer 19

• Fixed
  
  • Reinforcer given for the first response after a fixed time interval
  • eg get clean clothes from washing machine every one hour
• Variable
  
  • Reinforcer given for the first response after a variable time interval
  • eg person repeatedly dials a busy phone number

Question 20

Define escape learning

Answer 20

Subjects acquires response that decreases or ends aversive stimulation

Question 21

Define avoidance learning

Answer 21

Subject acquires a response that prevents aversive stimulation from occurring

Question 22

Define observational learning

Answer 22

Occurs when the subject’s responding is influenced by the observation of others (models)