Learning Flashcards
classical conditioning
learning through association, a tendency to connect events that occur together in time and space
Ivan Pavlov
discovered classical conditioning on accident by measuring how much dogs would salivate
unconditioned stimulus
a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response
unconditioned response
the unlearned naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus
neutral stimulus
an unrelated stimulus that will become the conditioned stimulus
conditioned stimulus
an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response
conditioned response
the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus
acquistion
- the initial stage of learning
- this is when the organism first connects the events together in its mind
- when the organism connects the behavior with the stimulus
- CS announces US
extinction
the diminishing of a conditioned response
occurs when you stop pairing the US & NS/CS and time passes
when you stop pairing the stimulus with the behavior
spontaneous recovery
- the reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period following an extinction
- you have to connect the CS & NS again for it to reappear
- after a rest period, you pair the stimulus with the behavior again
generalization
- the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the CS to elicit similar responses
- behavior is affected by a stimulus similar to the original
discrimination
- the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus
- behavior is not affected by a stimulus similar to the original
higher-order conditioning
a procedure in which the CS in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus
biological predispositions of classical conditioning
an animal’s capacity for its conditioning is restrained by its biology
John garcia
researched the effect of radiation on rats
operant conditioning
a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by reinforcement or diminished if followed by punishment
Edward Thorndike’s Law of effect
behavior that is followed by pleasant consequences is likely to be repeated; behavior that is followed by unpleasant consequences is likely to be stopped
positive reinforcement
adding a stimulus to increase behavior
negative reinforcement
removing a stimulus to increase behavior
positive punishment
adding a stimulus to decrease behavior
negative punishment
removing a stimulus to decrease behavior
limitations of punishment
- punishment often produces temporary suppression
- punishment produces undesirable emotional side effects
- children who are physically punished often model or imitate punishment
- punishment never teaches a new behavior
skinner box
a chamber containing a bar that an animal can manipulate to obtain food or water reinforcer
shaping
an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximation of a complex desired goal
positively reinforce each small step along the way
primary reinforcers
innately reinforcing stimuli, such as those that satisfy biological needs
conditioned reinforcers
are those that gain their reinforcing power through association with a primary reinforcer
latent learning
learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate
cognitive map
a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment
over justification effect
the effect of promising a reward for doing what one already already likes to do
token economy
people earn a token of some sort for exhibiting a desired behavior and can later exchange the tokens for various privileges or treats
premack principle
more probable behaviors will reinforce less probable behaviors
continuous reinforcement
reinforce the behavior every time it occurs
teaches the behavior extremely quickly
once reinforcement stops it extinguishes quickly
partial reinforcement
reinforce the behavior sometimes it occurs
teaches the behavior slowly but behavior sticks
fixed ratio
a schedule that reinforces after a specific number of responses
variable ratio
a schedule that reinforces a behavior only after an unpredictable number of responses
fixed interval
a schedule that reinforces a behavior only after specified time has elapsed
variable interval
a schedule that reinforces behavior at unpredictable time intervals
observational learning
learning by observing and imitating the behaviors of others through modeling
prosocial behavior
non-violent resistance as a means of peaceful demonstration, Sesame street teaches kids behavior and how to learn
antisocial behavior
Colombine shooters inspired by “Doom” and other violent video games
Albert Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study
kids watched video of someone with bobo doll (nice/cruel)
kids were then placed in a room with the bobo doll where the majority mimicked the behavior they saw
