Learning Flashcards
Definition of Learning
A process by which experience produces a relatively enduring change in an organism’s behaviour or capabilities
What are the 4 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
a decrease in the strength of a response to a repeated stimulus
Define sensitisation
an increase in the strength of a response to a repeated stimulus
define unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
a stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response without prior learning (dog food)
define unconditioned response (UCR)
a reflexive or innate response that is elicited by a stimulus without prior learning (dog drooling)
define conditioned stimulus (CS)
a stimulus that, through association with a UCS, comes to elicit a conditioned response similar to the original UCR (bell ringing for dog)
define conditioned response (CR)
a response elected by a conditioned stimulus (dog drooling after bell)
What makes classical conditioning strongest?
The CS and UCS pairings are repeated
The UCS is more intense
There is forward pairing in the sequence of CS then UCS
The time interval between the CS and UCS is short
define stimulus generalisation
a tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar but not identical to a conditioned stimulus
define stimulus discrimination
the ability to respond differently to various stimuli
two factor theory of maintenance of classically conditioned associations
trauma (UCS) and needle (CS) -> fear response (UCR)
avoid injections -> fear reduced -> tendency to avoid is reinforced
define Thorndike’s law of effect
a response followed by a satisfying consequence will be more likely to occur (dog sits when given food after)
a response followed by an aversive consequence will become less likely to occur (dog given bad look when barking)
define operant conditioning
behaviour is learned and maintained by its consequences
define positive reinforcement
occurs when a response is strengthened by the subsequent presentation of a reinforcer
primary reinforcers - needed for survival (food, water, shelter, sex)
secondary reinforcers (money, praise)
