Learning

Question 1

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

A process that creates an association between a naturally existing stimulus and a previous neutral one

Question 2

Define the following:

a. Unconditioned Stimulus
b. Conditioned Stimulus
c. Unconditioned Response
d. Conditioned Response

Answer 2

a. Unconditioned Stimulus
A stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response (UCR) without prior learning

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

c. Unconditioned Response
A reflexive or innate response that is elicited by a stimulus (UCS) without prior learning

d. Conditioned Response
A response elicited by a conditioned stimulus

Question 3

When is classical conditioning strongest?

Answer 3

• 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 4

Distinguish between habituation and sensitisation

Answer 4

Habituation is a decrease in the strength of a response to a repeated stimulus.

Sensitisation is an increase in the strength of response to a repeated stimulus.

Question 5

What is stimulus generalisation?

Answer 5

Stimuli similar to the initial CS elicit a CR (usually weaker)

Question 6

What is stimulus discrimination?

Answer 6

The ability to respond differently to various stimuli

Question 7

What is extinction?

Answer 7

A process in which the CS is presented repeatedly in the absence of the UCS, causing the CR to weaken and eventually disappear

Question 8

What is Higher-order conditioning?

Answer 8

Occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes a CS after being paired with an already established CS

Question 9

Give brief descriptions of two iconic studies into classical conditioning.

Answer 9

Pavlov’s Dogs – dogs would start salivating (UCR) when they were brought food (UCS). Then a bell was rung every time before the foodwas brought to them. Then they started salivating (CR) every time the bell was rung (CS).

Question 10

What is observational (vicarious) learning? When is it more likely to occur?

Answer 10

Occurs by watching and imitating actions of another person or by noting the consequences of another person’s actions
Occurs before direct practice is allowed and to be successful it requires attention, retention, production and motivation

If their behaviours are reinforced we tend to imitate the behaviours

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)

Question 11

Name and describe an experiment that demonstrated observational learning?

Answer 11

Bobo Doll Experiment – children watched their parents beat up the doll and then they went on to do the same thing

Question 12

What is Thorndike’s Law of Effect?

Answer 12

A response followed by a satisfying consequence will be more likely to occur in future
A response followed by an aversive consequence will become less likely to occur in future

Question 13

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 13

A process in which behaviour is learned and maintained by its consequence

Question 14

Describe positive reinforcement

Answer 14

Positive Reinforcement
occurs when a response is strengthened by the subsequent presentation of a reinforcer;
- 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 15

Describe negative reinforcement

Answer 15

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

e.g. the use of painkillers are
reinforced by removing pain

Question 16

Distinguish between positive and negative punishment

Answer 16

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)

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

Question 17

What is operant extinction?

Answer 17

The weakening and eventual disappearance of a response because it is no longer reinforced

Question 18

What are the four schedules of partial reinforcement?

Answer 18

Fixed interval schedule – reinforcement occurs after a 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 – reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses, all centred around an average

Question 19

What is continuous reinforcement?

Answer 19

Every instance of behaviour is reinforced
This is learnt more rapidly than partial reinforcement because the association is easier to understand
It also means that it extinguishes more rapidly than partial reinforcement because the shift to no reinforcement is sudden and easier to understand