Learning Flashcards
Classical conditioning
originating with the Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov (1849—1936), C.C. is a form of learning in which an organism learns through establishing associations between different events and stimuli
Learning
a relatively permanent change of behavior or knowledge due to experience or training vs. innate knowledge
Unconditioned stimulus UCS
any stimulus which evokes a natural/reflexive response
• Reflexes: innate responses/reactions to a stimulus
Unconditioned response UCR
the natural, or reflexive response to an UCS
Neutral stimulus NS
any event or object which does not evoke any natural response
Conditioned stimulus CS
a formerly neutral stimulus which, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), produces a conditioned response
Conditioned Response CR
the learned response to a conditioned stimulus (CS)
this response is almost identical to the US, except: • the conditioned behavior occurs in response to a conditioned stimulus as opposed to an unconditioned stimulus
Extinction
a. in Classical Conditioning:
when the unconditioned stimulus is separated from the conditioned stimulus
resulting, over time, in the elimination of the conditioned response
b. In Operant Conditioning, extinction
when an established behavior is no longer reinforced
resulting, over time, in the cessation of the reinforced behavior
Spontaneous Recovery
for no apparent reason, a conditioned response will re-appear after it has been extinguished
Generalization
a. in Classical and Operant Conditioning:
a conditioned response will occur as a response to conditioned stimuli other than, but similar to, the original conditioned stimulus
Discrimination, differentiation
the ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus (CS) and other, similar stimuli
Higher/second order conditioning
when a conditioned stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus which results in the same conditioned response
John watson
a. the key figure who established the Behavioral Approach to psychology in America
Behaviorism adheres only to objective, observable behavior as the subject for scientific research
• rejects or ignores mental states or thought processes
Behaviorism continues to be a dominant approach in American psychology, especially educational psychology
Little Albert Experiment:
• Watson’s famous experiment
• proved he could condition the behavior of fear in a <12 month old boy
Operant learning
theory of learning as formulated by B.F. Skinner (1904—1990), a Harvard professor, whose studies showed how a behavior is determined by the consequences which follow the behavior
Positive reinforcement
anything which is given or added which increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated, for example
• a reward or bonus for good behavior
• good grades or praise for academic effort
Negative reinforcement
anything which is removed that will increase the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated, for example:
• getting home before curfew to take away the possibility of being grounded
Primary reinforcers
anything that is a natural, innate, or unlearned reinforce, for example
• food
• sex
Secondary reinforcers
a learned reinforce
reinforcer that is paired with a primary reinforcer
Token economy
in behavior modification, a subject behaves in a particular way in order to earn a voucher or token, or coupon, which may be used to purchase something he/she wants
Continuous reinforcement
when a subject is reinforced every time he/she provides an appropriate response
Intermittent reinforcement
when a subject is reinforced randomly
Fixed Ratio FR
when a subject is reinforced after a set number of responses (ex., for every 10 coffees I buy, I get a free one)
Fixed interval
when a subject is reinforced after a set period of time (every Friday at Starbucks I get 50% off for every coffee I buy)
Variable ratio
when a subject is reinforced after a random number of responses (ex., I gamble at the slot machines because, after a random number of attempts, I might win some money)
