Learning Flashcards
Define learning
A process by which experience produces a relatively enduring change in an organism’s behaviour or capabilities
What are the basic learning processes?
Non-associative learning – response to repeated stimuli
Classical conditioning – Learning what events signal
Operant conditioning - Learning one thing leads to another
Observational learning – Learning from others
Define Habituation
Habituation is a decrease in the strength of a response to a repeated stimulus.
Responses happen simultaneously and compete to determine behaviour
Define Sensitisation
Sensitisation is an increase in the strength of response to a repeated stimulus.
Responses happen simultaneously and compete to determine behaviour
Give classical conditioning terminology
Stimuli:
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response (the UCR) without prior learning
Conditioned stimulus (CS):
A stimulus that, through association with a UCS, comes to elicit a conditioned response similar to the original UCR
Responses
Unconditioned response (UCR): A reflexive or innate response that is elicited by a stimulus (the UCS) without prior learning
Conditioned response (CR): A response elicited by a conditioned stimulus.
When is classical conditioning strongest?
There are repeated CS-UCS pairings
The UCS is more intense
The sequence involves forward pairing (i.e. CS -> UCS)
The time interval between the CS and UCS is short
Describe the classical conditional learning in terms of mint and a computer chimes, video
US – Mint
CS – Computer chime
UR – Salivation when mint is presented
CR – Implied salivation/physiological response and expectation of the mint when computer chime occurs
Extinction
See graph - CS effects decrease over time when you remove UCS
Define stimulus generalization
A tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar, but not identical to a conditioned stimulus.
A similar stimuli will also elicit the CR but in a weaker form. Eg, a 500Hz tone elicits the CR, tones of similar frequency will also elicit CR, the closer the tone to the original the stronger the response
See graph on slides
Define stimulus discrimination and give examples
The ability to respond differently to various stimuli.
For example:
A child will respond differently to various bells (alarms, school, timer)
A fear of dogs might only include certain breeds
Give a clinical example of classical conditioning?
A significant proportion (25-30%) of patients undergoing chemotherapy experience anticipatory nausea and vomiting.
Chemotherapy (UCS) ——> Nausea (UCR)
Related cues e.g. ——> Anticipatory
Sight of chemotherapy Nausea (CR)
Unit (CS)
See slides for more examples: Little albert, cancer etc
Describe the fear learning with an example
Needle phobia:
Traumatic injection —-> Pain/Fear
Trauma (UCS) & Needle (CS) —-> Fear response (UCR)
Clinical setting (CS) —-> Fear response (CR)
What is the two-factor theory of maintenance of classical conditioned associations e.g fear?
Trauma (UCS) & Needle (CS) —-> Fear response (UCR)
Avoid injections —> Fear reduced —> Tendency to avoid is reinforced
Define Thorndike’s Law of effect
Law of effect:
A response followed by a satisfying consequence will be more likely to occur.
A response followed by an aversive consequence will become less likely to occur
Define operant conditioning
Learning one thing leads to another.
Behaviour is learned and maintained by its consequences.
Chronic pain behaviour includes limping, grimacing, and medication requests.
This is often reinforced by family or staff e.g. by being overly sympathetic, encouraging rest, increasing medication
This behaviour is likewise reinforced by gratitude signals from the patient
A cycle is created in which the patient receives positive consequences for “being in pain“, so pain is more likely to occur in frequency
Define positive reinforcement
Occurs when a response is strengthened by the subsequent presentation of a reinforcer
When something is reinforced something is more likely to occur
Primary Reinforcers: those needed for survival e.g. food, water, sleep, sex
Secondary Reinforcers: stimuli that acquire reinforcing properties through their association with primary reinforcers e.g. money, praise
Define negative reinforcement
Occurs when a response is strengthened by the removal (or avoidance) of an aversive stimulus
Negative Reinforcer: the aversive stimulus that is removed or avoided (e.g. the use of painkillers are reinforced by removing pain)
“Positive” and “Negative” refer to presentation or removal of a stimulus, not “good” and “bad”
Define positive punishment
Occurs when a response is weakened by the presentation of a stimulus (e.g. squirting a cat with water when it jumps on dining table)
Define negative punishment
Occurs when a response is weakened by the removal of a stimulus (e.g. phone confiscated)
What is the difference between reinforcement and punishment?
Skinner maintained that reinforcement is a much more potent influence on behaviour than punishment
Largely because punishment can only make certain responses less frequent – you cant teach new behaviour
Describe reinforcement schedules
Continuous reinforcement produces more rapid learning than partial reinforcement
The association between a behaviour and its consequences is easier to understand
However, continuously reinforced responses extinguish more rapidly than partially reinforced responses
The shift to no reinforcement is sudden and easier to understand
What are the different kinds of reinforcement schedules?
Fixed interval schedule: reinforcement occurs after fixed time interval
Variable interval schedule: the time interval varies at random around an average
Fixed Ratio Schedule: reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses
Variable Ratio Schedule: reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses, all centered around an average
Describe social learning theory
Observational (vicarious) learning - We observe the behaviours of others and the consequences of those behaviours.
Vicarious reinforcement - If their behaviours are reinforced we tend to imitate the behaviours
Define modelling observational learning
Occurs by watching and imitating actions of another person, or by noting consequences of a person’s actions
Occurs before direct practice is allowed
What are the steps to successful modeling?
1) Pay attention to model
2) Remember what was done
3) Must be able to reproduce modeled behavior
4) If successful or behavior is rewarded, behavior more likely to recur
Describe social learning in terms of observational learning
We don’t imitate the behaviour of everyone we encounter
More likely if model is:
- Seen to be rewarded
- High status (e.g. Medical consultant)
- Similar to us (e.g. colleagues)
- Friendly (e.g. peers)
