learning Flashcards
learning
the relatively permanent change in knowledge or behavior that is the result of experience
conditioning
the ability to connect stimuli (the changes that occur in the environment) with responses (behaviors or other actions
classical conditioning.
learning that occurs when a neutral stimulus (e.g., a tone) becomes associated with a stimulus (e.g., food) that naturally produces a behavior
unconditioned stimulus (US)
something (such as food) that triggers a natural occurring response
unconditioned response (UR)
the naturally occurring response (such as salivation) that follows the unconditioned stimulus
conditioned stimulus (CS)
a neutral stimulus that, after being repeatedly presented prior to the unconditioned stimulus, evokes a similar response as the unconditioned stimulus
conditioned response (CR),
the acquired response to the formerly neutral stimulus
spontaneous recovery.
The increase in responding to the CS following a pause after extinction
Generalization
the tendency to respond to stimuli that resemble the original conditioned stimulus
discrimination
the tendency to respond differently to stimuli that are similar but not identical. SO you can tell the difference and don’t be racist ;)
second-order conditioning
an existing conditioned stimulus can serve as an unconditioned stimulus for a pairing with a new conditioned stimulus. The dod with the bell and the black square. Even though the black square is not associated with the food, it’s associated with something that is and so the dog still salivate.
Operant conditioning
learning that occurs based on the consequences of behavior and can involve the learning of new actions
Thorndike’s law of effect
the principle that responses that create a typically pleasant outcome in a particular situation are more likely to occur again in a similar situation, whereas responses that produce a typically unpleasant outcome are less likely to occur again in the situation
operant chambers
a structure that is big enough to fit a rodent or bird and that contains a bar or key that the organism can press or peck to release food or water. It also contains a device to record the animal’s responses
reinforcer
Skinner calls this any event that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a behavior
punisher
any event that weakens or decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
positive reinforcement
strengthens a response by presenting something pleasant after the response
Add or increase a pleasant stimulus
Behavior is strengthened
Giving a student a prize after he gets an A on a test
negative reinforcement
strengthens a response by reducing or removing something unpleasant. Reduce or remove an unpleasant stimulus
Behavior is strengthened
Taking painkillers that eliminate pain increases the likelihood that you will take painkillers again
Positive punishment
Present or add an unpleasant stimulus
Behavior is weakened
Giving a student extra homework after she misbehaves in class
negative punishment
reduces or remove a pleasant stimulus. The behavior is weakened. An example is taking away a teen’s computer after he misses curfew
continuous reinforcement schedule,
the desired response is reinforced every time it occurs;
partial (or intermittent) reinforcement schedule
a schedule in which the responses are sometimes reinforced, and sometimes not.
Fixed-ratio reinforcement scheudle
Behavior is reinforced after a specific number of responses
Factory workers who are paid according to the number of products they produce
Variable-ratio
Behavior is reinforced after an average, but unpredictable, number of responses
Payoffs from slot machines and other games of chance
Fixed-interval
Behavior is reinforced for the first response after a specific amount of time has passed
People who earn a monthly salary
Variable-interval
Behavior is reinforced for the first response after an average, but unpredictable, amount of time has passed
Person who checks voice mail for messages
shaping
the process of guiding an organism’s behavior to the desired outcome through the use of successive approximation to a final desired behavior
secondary reinforcers.
neutral event that has become associated with a primary reinforcer through classical conditioning
primary reinforcer
stimuli that are naturally preferred or enjoyed by the organism, such as food, water, and relief from pain
