Learning/Human Development Flashcards
What are the three models of learning?
Classical conditioning (Pavlov), operant conditioning (Skinner), social learning theory (Bandura)
What is Operant Conditioning?
Where the outcome or consequence of behaviour influences the repetition or no repetition of the behaviour. Positive consequences are known as reinforcements, negative consequences are known as punishments. Reinforcements or punishments that occur closely to the behaviour have an increased chance of influencing more or less of the behaviour.
List the stages of desensitisation:
Step 1. learn relaxation technique
Step 2. form a hierarchical list of fear exposure - less fearful to more fearful
Step 3. Relax using relaxation technique, then expose to least fearful object/picture/experience on heirarchical list. If ok, move to next on list. If not, use relaxation technique and try again. Only move only when relaxed with object/picture/experience.
Name two relaxation techniques:
Jacobson’s - tense/relax muscles
Benson’s - breathing techniques
A neutral stimulus is detected by what?
The five senses.
What does unconditioned mean?
Its a behaviour or a response that occurs naturally, without training/learning.
What does conditioned mean?
That something has been learned.
What is a neutral stimulus?
Its something that we detect with our five senses, however, it does not trigger a specific response. It’s neutral. It can, however, be paired with an unconditioned stimulus, and through association, be able to generate a response on its own. For the association to occur, the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus need to occur close together.
What is a trial (Classical Conditoning)?
The period in which the neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are coupled together - where the connection occurs.
When does a neutral stimulus become a conditioned stimulus?
When the neutral stimulus causes a response on its own. Then it becomes the conditioned stimulus and the response becomes a conditioned response because it has been learned.
What is Social Learning Theory?
Learning by observing others and then copying and using the behaviour as well.
What is learning?
Learning is when behaviour changes because of an experience (knowledge/skills). This change is pretty permanent.
Who discovered Classical Conditioning?
Ian Pavlov
Who founded Behaviourism?
John B.Watson
What is behaviour?
Human action determined by genetics and learning through experiences.
What is habituation?
Simplest form of learning. Actions become automatic as they are repeated often, generally associated with weaker stimuli (stronger stimuli doesn’t seem to become habituated).
What is a cephalic response?
The idea the unconditioned stimulus produces the response.
What are the three phases of Classical Conditioning?
- Aquisition
- Extinction
- Spontaneous Recovery
What is Acquisition?
The ability to learn and make associations (neutral stimuli and unconditioned stimuli). Associations are best learnt when coupled closely together, ideally 1/2 second a part = the quicker the association is made, the stronger the association is.
What is Extinction?
Where the learned or conditioned response fades if the response is presented on its own for too long. The response is “written over” by another association.
What is Spontaneous Recovery?
The Conditioned Response can reappear with the presentation of the Conditioned Stimuli after Extinction has occurred, however, the association will be much weaker than it was. Memory is involved in this - triggered by environment. Also called the Renewal Effect.
What is Stimulus Generalisation?
Similar stimuli to the Conditioned Stimulus can generate a similar response to the Conditioned Response. The stronger the likeness to the Conditioned Stimulus, the stronger the response. This is an adaptive response by the brain - applying newly learned association to new things.
What is Stimulus Discrimination?
Opposite to Stimulus Generalisation. The response to stimuli that are not similar to the Conditioned Stimulus is less than the response to the Conditioned Stimulus.
What is Higher Order Conditioning?
An additional stimulus can be paired with the controlled stimulus (conditioned neutral stimulus), but again, placing it close to the controlled stimulus to form an association with the controlled response. This additional stimulus can eventually trigger a response on its own, but the response is much weaker. A third additional stimulus can be added/associated too, but again, this association/response will be weaker again.
What is latent inhibition?
When a conditioned stimulus has illicited a controlled response a lot, it is very difficult to pair with an another neutral (to become conditioned) stimulus - this is latent inhibition.
What is Operant Conditioning?
Type of learning where the consequences (both positive and negative) influence or cause the learning.
How is Operant Conditioning different to Classical Condtioning?
- Op Cond. the response comes from the person - choice - motivated by consequences.
- Op Cond. person’s behaviour (changes/doesn’t change) impacts the outcome.
- Op Cond. is voluntary behaviour - uses skeletal muscles. Class. Cond. is involuntary - influences the autonomic nervous system - increases heart rate, or breathing rate, causes perspiration.
Explain The Law of Effect:
E.L Thorndike behind idea - basis for Op. Cond. - if a response and stimulus associate and the outcome is positive, this strengthens the association. If the outcome is positive, we’re more likely to repeat the behaviour.
What do Stimulus-Response theorists say is the root of complex behaviour?
An accummulation of stimulus-response assoications.
Name & describe two types of reinforcement (Operant Conditioning):
- Positive reinforcement: give something positive - positively reinforces or increases the desired behaviour (gold star on homework - increased homework completed)
- Negative reinforcement: taking something negative away - increases the desired behaviour, reinforces the response (for future)
What is a descrimative stimulus in Operant Condiioning?
A stimulus that notifies a person that reinforcement is about to happen i.e. person waves from a distance - notification they are about to come and say hello. Also, positive reinforcement is used to help distinguish between stimuli i.e. pigeons trained to distinguish between Monet & Picasso.
Skinner’s patterns of reinforcement are:
- Continuous reinforcement - occurs every time
2. Partial (intermittent) reinforcement - reinforcement is occassional
What is Continuous reinforcement (Operant Conditoning)?
When reinforcement is delivered continuously. Continuous reinforcement helps animals learn new behaviours in a short period of time.
What is Extinction in Operant Conditioning?
When reinforcement for a certain behaviour ends, the behaviour will taper off and finally disappear.
What is Partial (intermittent) reinforcement (Operant Conditioning?)
When behaviour is reinforced every now and again. Extinction rate for the behaviour is slower - anticipation of the reinforcement keeps the behaviour going for longer than continuous reinforcement.
What are the two dimensions for administering reinforcements (Operant Conditioning)?
- Consistency of reinforcements - either fixed (delivered at fixed rates) or variable (delivered more randomly).
- Basis of giving reinforcements - either intervals (given at certain time periods from last reinforcement) or ratio (given after a number of times the behaviour is presented - dog rolls 5 times, gets reward). Ratio schedule and fixed delivery more effective in supporting the new behaviour.
What are the four schedules for reinforcement?
- Fixed ratio - reinforcement given after a certain number of responses - treat after dog rolls x 5.
- Fixed interval - reinforcement given after certain period of time - worker paid every Thursday. Rate of responding increases the closer to the next (can wait for reinforcement - scalloped pattern)
- Variable ratio - pattern of reinforcement changes - average # of reinforcement but delivery changes: treat after 5 x rolls (dog), treat after 10 x rollls, treat after 2 rolls (inconsistent) (highest response in rats/Casino-gambling)
- Variable interval - reinforcement given at inconsistent intervals - every 5 mins, every 10 mins, every 8 minutes
What is fading (Operant Conditioning)?
When in learning phase, reinforcements are given for behaviour that is nearly right. Over time, reinforcements are given less and less for ‘nearly right’ behaviour - this is fading.
What is Chaining (Operant Conditioning)?
Linking behaviours (similar) into a sequence, with one behaviour prompting the next behaviour and so on - Skinner’s pigeons learned table tennis - sequence of behaviours learnt - 1. turning paddles, 2. paddles in beaks, 3. hitting ball - each step linked to the next.
What is Premack Principal / Grandma’s rule (Operant Conditioning)?
Less common behaviours can be increased through reinforcing with more frequent behaviours - Grandma’s rule prevents procrastination/motivates behaviour - finish veg before dessert (higher veg eating as dessert is coming)
How is Operant Conditioning used in practice?
Tokens - rewards for desired behaviours in school/aged care. Secondary reinforcers - fav drink/food. Used with spectrum disorders to encourage language development - reward (food/drink) given for ‘nearly right’ sounds.
Which area of the brain is involved with Classical Conditioning trigger?
Amygdala
Which area of the brain is involved with Operant Conditioning?
Nucleus Accumbens (part of pleasure/reward system) & lymbic system
Can Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning work at the same time?
Yes - example - fearful association established with Classical Conditioning - fear becomes persistent attached to object/event. Once established fearful object/event is avoided which reduces the fearful feelings (negatively reinforces by reducing the unpleasant stimulus - Operant Conditioning). So, fear established through Classical Conditioning but perpetuated by Operant Conditioning.
What is S-O-R Theories?
That cognition is involved - not just Stimulus-Response, modern understanding is Stimulus-Organism (thinks about stimulus)-Reponse. Also think expectation is part of learning. example of S-O-R theorists understanding - metronome chimed - dog ‘thought’ ‘meat powder coming’, dog salivated.
What is Latent Learning?
Edward Chase Tolman - learning happens without reinforcements/rewards, just becomes obvious after the reward.
What’s a cognitive map?
Tolman - spacial representation of space (i.e. uni campus)/map in mind - mental picture.
What is the Social Learning Theory?
Learning through watching/observing - a type of Latent learning - cognition involved. Learn from influential role models - parents, teachers, peers.
What are motor neurons?
Neurons in the prefrontal cortex that enable humans to imitate behaviour/actions observed. Neuroscientists believe motor neurons could be involved in empathy.
What is Insight Learning?
Learning through thinking - working out solutions in mind - not linked to observing others - coming up with own ideas to solve problems. Wolfgagn Köhler (German psych) experiment with Sultan apes - banana outside of cage, 2 x bamboo sticks inside cage - bamboo inside each other - reach banana).
What is conditioned taste aversion & how does it differ from classical conditioning?
Unlike Classical Conditoning, conditioned taste aversion doesn’t require multiple exposures to become paired - just one exposure/immediate - biologically understood to avoid poisonous foods (classical conditioning can take 6-8 hours to be established - dangerous: food poisoning). Conditioned taste aversion relate to specific food - not generalised to similar food.
What’s a scapegoat food (Conditioned Taste Aversion)?
Used before chemo, food not liked by patient is consumed before chemo - connection made with nausea. Food aversion is blamed psychologically on food eaten before chemo.
What is belongingnes (Conditioned Taste Aversion/Biological influences on learning)?
Some stimuli seem to be paired more readily to unconditioned stimulus i.e. some foods/nausea.
What is equipotentiality?
Behaviourists belief that all conditioned stimulus pair in the same way to all unconditioned stimulus - contradictory to ‘belongingness’.
What is Preparedness in relation to phobias?
Martin Seligman - evolutionary experience genetically programmed humans to be fearful of certain environmental hazards (dark, snakes, spiders, crocodiles, heights etc) to keep species safe. Humans access dangerous objects every day but do not fear them - they weren’t a threat in time of ancestors.
What is Counter Conditioning?
Extinguishing one association and establishing a replacement association - i.e. stimulus desensitisation - desensitisation of phobia - new association = relaxation.
What are Primary Reinforcers (Operant Conditioning)?
Reinforcers associated with meeting biological needs - inherent - no need for learning - food, air, sleep, sex, water - happen naturally.
What are Secondary Reinforcers (Operant Conditioning)?
Secondary reinforcers need to be learned - money, tokens, praise.
How are primary and secondary reinforcers linked?
One is needed to fulfill the other - related - money (secondary) required to buy food (primary).
Which cognitive processes involved in social learning (Bandura)?
Attention, memory, motivation
Which reinforcement is an important part of social learning?
Postive and negative reinforcemet (for agressive behaviour - observed by children - affected aggressive behaviour learned in children).
How can social learning theory be experienced in a professional setting?
- modeling - client may emulate positive behaviours modelled by professional
- Individual confidence boosted - increase in self-efficacy
- Client’s belief in self increased = increased chance of health benefits - increased positive perception of ability = increases outcomes/achievements.
What are four qualities of empathy?
- Perspective taking - look through other’s perspective/lens
- Refrain from judgement
- Recognising emotions in others
- Communicating emotion in others.
What are Piaget’s 4 x stages of cognitive development?
- Sensory/Motor Stage
- Preoperational Stage
- Concrete Operational Stage
- Formal Operational Stage
Describe Piaget’s Sensory Motor Stage:
- 0-2 years
- Focus on inital schemas - sucking, looking, grasping, pushing.
- Development through 5 x senses
- Simple reflexes
- 4 mths aware of things outside of selves
- Learn to do actions with intent
- Object permanence from 3 months-2 years
- Working memory develops
- Curiosity - exploration - propels movement - sit, crawl, stand, walk, run
Focus of this stage - Object permanence / strong connection with cognitive development and movement.
Describe Piaget’s Pre-operational Stage:
- 2-7 years
- Thinking/concepts are symbolically represented in mind (mental images of object)
- Centration - strongest perception informs perspective - focus on one part of object/experience, not whole
- Pre-operational - as some operations aren’t yet developed
- Learn to talk/develop language/images (symbols)
- Draw family - not to scale - symbolic
- Pretend play - role play - learning
- Curiosity established 4 yrs-ish - Why?
- ‘Intuitive age’ - aware of developing knowledge, not how acquiring knowledge
- Egocentric/expect other’s have some perspective as self
Symbolism / egocentrism/ intuitive age (awareness of knowledge growing)
Describe Piaget’s Concrete Operational Stage:
- 7-11 years
- Logic develops - form mental actions
- Concrete operations develop - sorting objects in order
- Inductive reasoning (see something - draw conclusion - make generalisiation)
- Start to understand conservation - volume same in different shaped glasses - looks different, but understand volume is the same/equal.
- Start to understand inverse maths operations - 3 + 5 = 8, 8 - 3 = 5
- Concrete operational mental structures begins - getting opposite actions (reverse situations)
- New understanding/logic etc applied to writing, conversations, things we do, learning at school.
- Start to see self as unique
- Begin to see things from other’s points of view
Describe Piaget’s Formal Operational Stage:
- 12 years +
- Abiltity to apply rational thought to abstract concepts/hypothetical circumstances
- Understand abstract concepts - love, hate, success
- Can use logic to understand abstract problems
- Become aware of morality
- Become aware of mortality
- Systematically solves problems
- Empathy/compassion for others
- Decuctive reasoning - compare multiple things/draw conclusions/generalise
- Able to plan and prioritise
- Developing ability to philosophise
- Egocentric thoughts - audience watching in mind
- Last stage of development
What were the results from Albert Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment?
- kids in aggressive group - repeated aggressive behaviour witnessed by adults
- Non-aggressive group - less aggressive behaviour both boys/girls
- Boys - opp gender role was calm - increased aggression with boys’ behaviour (?)
- Boys watching men act aggressively - behaved more aggressively than boys watching women act aggressively.
- Boys more likely to act with physical violence, girls more likely to act with verbal violence
- Boys - twice aggressive in behaviour than girls
What were the conclusions from the Bobo Doll experiment?
- Children assume aggressive behaviour is ‘normal’ if an aggressive adult is observed.
- If children observe aggressive behavior by an adult - increased chance of being aggressive when frustrated.
- Follow-up study (1965) - if children observed adult being rewarded for aggressive behaviour, more likely to emulate themselves. If punished, less likely to emulate.
- positive/negative reinforcement important in social learning.
What are Erickson’s 8 stages of cognitive development?
- Basic trust v’s mistrust
- Autonomy v’s shame/doubt
- Initiative v’s guilt
- Industry v’s inferiority
- Identity v’s role confusion
- Intimacy v’s isolation
- Generativity v’s stagnation
- Ego intergrity v’s despair
Conflict of each stage needs to be mostly resolved before moving to next psychosocial stage.
What is Erickson’s first stage Basic Trust v’s Trust about?
- 0-1 1/2 / 2 years
- Is the world safe and can it be trusted?
- Trust established through interaction with mum
- If trust not established in this stage - fear results = doubt/mistrust
- Mum - key to development of trust in this stage
What is Erickson’s second stage Autonomy v’s Shame/ Self-doubt about?
- 1 1/2-3 years
- Start to experience self/body
- Key question - Is it ok to be me?
- If able to express/be self - self-confidence develops - can control body / make things happen
- If no space to be self - shame/self doubt develops - feelings of inadequacy
- Walking/language develop
- Start to explore
- Autonomy/independence = feeling capable
- Restriction/criticism = self-doubt
- High expectations/pressure = reduced perseverance
- Both parents integral to this process
What is Erickson’s third stage Initiative v’s Guilt about?
- 3-6 years
- Start to exercise taking initiative/create - trying new things - if denied = reduced self worth
- Understand basic concepts of how things work
- Confident to experiment
- Start exploring own interests
- Guilt develops if not permitted to pursue or criticised for interests
- All family members integral to this process
What is Erickson’s fourth stage Industry v’s Inferiority about?
- 6-12 years
- Develop identified interests
- Aware we’re different from others
- Question - can we make it in this world?
- If received recognition for effort from peers/teachers - can become industrious/hard working (develop intellectual/motor/social skills)
- If observe rather then engage in activities = feel inferior/lack confidence
- If criticised heavily = inferiority - reduces motivation
- School friends have biggest influence in this stage
What is Erickson’s fifth stage Identity vs role confusion about?
- 13-19 years
- Social roles integral to learning - friends, students, children, citizens
- Working out own identity - freedom to work out identity important - strong sense of self
- No space to develop identity or pressure to conform to parental views = feel out of place
- Role models integral to development
What is Erickson’s sixth stage Intimacy v’s Isolation about?
- 20-40 years
- Sense of who we are
- Relationships developed to ‘fit in’ may be discarded
- Intimate relationships form (closeness) if confident/happy otherwise can feel alone/isolated
- friends/partners integral to development
What is Erickson’s seventh stage Generativeity v’s stagnation about?
- 40-65 years
- 40’s - comfortable with self - contribute to society - family, community, future generations
- Generativity - interest in future generations - fulfillment in supporting future
- If unresolved issues from younger years, can become negative in thinking / stagnate / self-indulgent
- immediate family/work peers biggest influencers
What is Erickson’s eighth stage Ego Integrity v’s Despair about?
- 65 years - death
- Reflect on life - conclusions affect feelings in this stage - did well = contentment (no regrets); not well = grumpy/bitter/regrets/self-deprication
What is cognitive development?
According to Piaget: process of knowing - includes using imagination, recognising, reasoning, inferencing, problem solving.
* cumulative - one level of understanding/knowing builds upon the one that went before - stages dependent on each other.
What defines ‘developmental age’?
Chonological age general to specific characteristics (‘norms’) linked to certain developmental stages
What is normative investigation in developmental psychology?
Research with purpose of establishing ‘norms’ in terms of characteristics synonymous with specific developmental stages.
Who founded behaviourism?
John Watson
What is a reflex?
Hard-wired biological response to stimuli that’s relevant to survival.