Learning & Behavior Flashcards
Classical Conditioning
Associating automatic/involuntary responses with conditioned stimuli via unconditioned stimuli
Timing of Classical Conditioning
CS/NS must come before US & closely in time
Delay Conditioning
CS precedes US by short time interval & with overlap
Standard pairing paradigm
Trace Conditioning
CS precedes US by a time gap; no overlap
Slower learning process
Temporal Conditioning
US is presented at the same time/at consistent time interval; time becomes the CS
Simultaneous Conditioning
NS is presented at the same time as US & completely overlap
Learning does not occur
Backward Conditioning
US is presented before NS
Learning does not occur
Stimulus Generalization
Qualities of CS are generalized to a similar NS to produce the same CR
Occurs automatically
AKA ‘mediated generalization’
Higher-Order Conditioning
CS is intentionally paired with another NS to elicit the same CR
Cannot exceed third-order conditioning
Classical Extinction
CS is no longer paired with US & eventually CR will no longer occur
Spontaneous Recovery
Brief recovery of CR when presented with CS after a break from extinction trials
Stimulus Discrimination
Ability to differentiate between CS & similar NS due to pairing with US
(CR only to CS & not similar NS)
Pseudoconditioning
NS is unintentionally paired with CS to elicit CR (like accidental higher-order conditioning)
Habituation
Less responsivity to a repeated US so that it no longer elicits UR
Counterconditioning
Done intentionally to eliminate undesirable UR
Via reciprocal inhibition > when presented with US, pair UR with incompatible CR
Mowrer’s two-factor learning theory
Combo of classical & operant conditioning
NS/CS paired with US that produces an anxiety-UR > new CS/CR pair
The anxiety is aversive, so any behavior that relieves the anxiety is negatively reinforced
Systematic Desensitization
Counterconditioning to reduce anxiety via extinction
Anxiety is the UR & relaxation techniques are the CR paired with the US
Operant Conditioning
AKA Skinnerian, instrumental conditioning
Learning of voluntary behavior via rewards & punishment
Thorndike’s Law of Effect
Natural consequences
Behavior that produces pleasurable consequences will occur more frequently; if produces aversive consequences, will occur less frequently
Reinforcement vs. Punishment
R always increases behavior, whereas punishment decreases behavior
Positive Reinforcement (R+)
Reward
Addition of something valuable to increase behavior
Negative Reinforcement (R-)
Relief
Removal of something aversive to increase behavior
Positive Punishment (P+)
Pain
Addition of something aversive to decrease behavior
Negative Punishment (P-)
Loss
Removal of something valuable to decrease behavior
Response cost
P-
Removal/loss of a “token”, which is used to access something valuable, in order to decrease behavior
Acquisition phase
Operant conditioning
Phase of new learning
Extinction phase
Operant conditioning
Reinforcement is withheld and behavior decreases
Operant strength
Strength of target/learned behavior
Depends on rate of responding during acquisition & extinction trials
Influenced by schedule of reinforcement
Fixed interval schedule
R after specified time interval
Response rate low during interval & increases toward end of interval
Variable interval schedule
R after unpredictable time interval
Response rate is low-moderate
Fixed ratio schedule
R occurs after specified number of responses
Response rate is moderate-high
Variable ratio schedule
R occurs after unknown number of responses
Response rate is high
Satiation
Loss of value of the R due to overuse
Thinning
Transition from continuous to intermittent
AND
Gradual increase in number of responses/time interval
Operant extinction
Withholding R to decrease behavior (P-)
Extinction burst
A brief increase in behavior during extinction trials
Superstitious behavior
Results from random/non-contingent R
The individual will repeatedly perform behavior that occurred before R
Discrimination learning
Stimulus control
Ability to discern between stimuli that signal whether R is available
Discriminative stimulus
SD
Signals that R will take place
S delta
Signals that R will not take place
Response generalization
Performing similar behaviors in the presence of SD to earn R
