Learning

Question 1

Define learning

Answer 1

a process by which experience produces a relatively enduring change in an organism’s behavior or capabilities

Question 2

What are the types of basic learning processes

Answer 2

Non-associative learning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Observational learning

Question 3

What is non-associative learning and classical conditioning

Answer 3

Non-associative learning - response to repeated stimuli

Classical conditioning - learning what events signal

Question 4

What is Operant conditioning

and Observational learning

Answer 4

Operant conditioning - learning one thing leads to another

Observational learning - learning from others

Question 5

What is habituation

Answer 5

Decrease in the strength of a response to a repeated stimulus

Question 6

What is sensitisation

Answer 6

Increase in the strength of response to a repeated stimulus

Question 7

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 7

A stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response (the UCR) without prior learning

Question 8

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 8

A stimulus that, through association with a UCS, comes to elicit a conditioned response similar to the original UCR

Question 9

What is an unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 9

A reflexive or innate response that is elicited by a stimulus (the UCS) without prior learning

Question 10

What is a conditioned response (CR)

Answer 10

A response elicited by a conditioned stimulus

Question 11

When is classical conditioning strongest

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Describe the extinction of conditioning

Answer 12

CR remains as long as there is CS-UCS pairings

When there is a CS alone, the CR/effect becomes smaller

Question 13

What is stimulus generalisation

Answer 13

A tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar, but not identical , to a conditioned stimulus

Question 14

Describe the differences in response with stimulus generalisation

Answer 14

Similar stimuli will also elicit the CR, but in a weaker form

500Hz tone elicits the CR, tones of similar frequency will also elicit CR, the closer the tone to the original the stronger the response

Question 15

What is stimulus discrimination

Answer 15

The ability to respond differently to various stimuli

Question 16

What is Thorndike’s law of effect

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is Operant conditioning

Answer 17

Behaviour is learned and maintained by it’s consequences

Question 18

What is positive reinforcement

Answer 18

occurs when a response is strengthened by the subsequent presentation of a reinforcer

Question 19

Compare primary to secondary reinforcers

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What is negative reinforcement

Answer 20

occurs when a response is strengthened by the removal (or avoidance) of an aversive stimulus

Question 21

What is the negative reinforcer

Answer 21

the aversive stimulus that is removed or avoided (e.g. the use of painkillers are
reinforced by removing pain)

Question 22

What is positive punishment

Answer 22

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)

Question 23

What is negative punishment

Answer 23

occurs when a response is weakened by the removal of a stimulus (e.g. phone confiscated)

Question 24

Compare reinforcement than punishment

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Describe reinforcement schedules and effect

Answer 25

Continuous reinforcement produces more rapid learning than partial reinforcement
Continuously reinforced responses extinguish more rapidly than partially reinforced responses

Question 26

What are the types of reinforcement schedules

Answer 26

Fixed interval schedule - occurs after a fixed time interval
Variable interval schedule - varies at random around an average
Fixed ratio schedule - given after a fixed no. of responses
Variable ratio schedule - Given after a variable number of responses, centred around an average

Question 27

Describe Bandura’s cognitive approach

Answer 27

Bandura believes that humans are active information processors and think about the relationship between their behaviour and its consequences
Social imitation may hasten or short-cut the acquisition of new behaviours without the necessity of reinforcing

Question 28

What is the social learning theory

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Describe modelling or observational learning

Answer 29

Occurs by watching and imitating actions of another person, or by noting consequences of a person’s actions (Occurs before direct practice is allowed)

Question 30

What leads to successful modelling

Answer 30

Pay attention to model
Remember what was done
Must be able to reproduce modeled behaviour
If successful or behavior is rewarded, behavior more likely to recur

Question 31

When are people more likely to imitate others’ behaviour

Answer 31

Seen to be rewarded
High status (e.g. Medical consultant)
Similar to us (e.g. colleagues)
Friendly (e.g. peers)