Learning Flashcards
What is Classical Conditioning?
Learning happens when we connect two things, so one starts causing a reaction it didn’t before.
Ex) Pavlov’s dogs: A bell is rung when food is given. Over time, the dog learns that the bell means food, so it starts drooling just from hearing the bell.
Key Terms in Classical Conditioning
Neutral Stimulus (NS): Something that doesn’t cause any reaction at first.
Example: A bell before training.
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Something that naturally causes a reaction.
Example: Food making a dog drool.
Unconditioned Response (UCR): The natural reaction to the UCS.
Example: A dog drooling when it sees food.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Something that starts causing a reaction after being paired with the UCS.
Example: The bell after training.
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned reaction to the CS.
Example: A dog drooling when it hears the bell.
Characteristics of Classical Conditioning
Extinction: The learned reaction fades if the CS (e.g., bell) is no longer followed by the UCS (e.g., food).
Spontaneous Recovery: The reaction suddenly comes back after it seemed to disappear.
Example: A dog drooling to the bell again after a break.
Stimulus Generalization: Reacting to things similar to the CS.
Example: A dog drooling to a bell that sounds slightly different.
Stimulus Discrimination: Only reacting to the specific CS.
Example: A dog drooling only to a specific bell sound.
What is Operant Conditioning?
Learning happens because of rewards or punishments for behavior.
Ex) A child cleans their room and gets candy, making them more likely to clean again.
Characteristics of Operant Conditioning
Shaping: Rewarding small steps to teach a bigger behavior.
Example: Praising a child for picking up one toy, then for cleaning the whole room.
Extinction: A behavior stops if the reward or punishment no longer happens.
Stimulus Generalization: A behavior happens in similar situations.
Example: A child behaves well at school after being praised for good behavior at home.
Stimulus Discrimination: A behavior only happens in specific situations.
Example: A child behaves well only for a strict teacher.
Reinforcement in Operant Conditioning
Positive Reinforcement: Giving something good to encourage behavior.
Example: Giving a treat to a dog for sitting.
Negative Reinforcement: Taking away something bad to encourage behavior.
Example: Turning off a loud alarm after getting out of bed.
Schedules of Reinforcement
Fixed Ratio: Reward after a set number of actions.
Example: A worker gets paid after making 10 items.
Variable Ratio: Reward after a random number of actions.
Example: Winning money after a random number of pulls on a slot machine.
Fixed Interval: Reward after a set amount of time.
Example: Getting a paycheck every two weeks.
Variable Interval: Reward after a random amount of time.
Example: Checking your phone for a message.
Punishment in Operant Conditioning
Positive Punishment: Adding something bad to stop behavior.
Example: Getting a ticket for speeding.
Negative Punishment: Taking away something good to stop behavior.
Example: Taking away a phone for breaking curfew.
Observational Learning (Social Learning Theory)
Learning happens by watching others and copying them.
Ex) A child watches their sibling clean the table and get praised, so they clean the table too.
Key Idea: We often copy people we admire, like parents or teachers.
Applications of Learning Theories in Clinical Psychology
Behavior Modification: Using rewards to change behavior.
Example: Patients earn tokens for good behavior, which they can exchange for prizes.
Systematic Desensitization: Gradual exposure to a fear while staying calm.
Example: Someone afraid of flying starts by imagining flying, then watches planes, and eventually takes a short flight.
