Learning: In-Class Flashcards
What is behaviourism?
The “first force” in psychology;
Reestablishes psychology as a science - the scientific method, empiricism.
Not introspection-focused. Rather, focuses on observable behaviour.
What does behaviourism reject?
- Biological predispositions and limitations = tabula rasa: we are born as a ‘blank state’
- Significance of mental processes
- Cognitive factors in behaviour: Emotions don’t matter
What can all of the behaviour be explained as, according to behaviourism?
A series of LEARNED ASSOCIATION.
Our reality is as simple as stimulus –> response
What is classical conditioning?
Learning to associate two or more stimuli, one which induces a response initially on its own, and another that cannot
= RESPONDENT BEHAVIOUR (automatic)
What is operant conditioning?
Learning to associate a behaviour with its consequences, leading to continued or discontinued behaviour
= OPERANT BEHAVIOUR (can be automatic or not)
How can the stimulus/response concept be applied to operant conditioning?
The stimulus = Your behaviour
The response = The consequence you observe
What factors are important in associate learning?
- Frequency of co-occurrence: More often = Better
- Spatial and/or temporal proximity of the two entities/events: Closer = Better
- Valence (Positive/negative) of the second event
What are the social, political, philosophical implications of behaviourism?
Psychology should be applying and understanding all these associations within all of the behaviour.
All of the behaviour can be PREDICTED and CONTROLLED = DETERMINISM –> No free will, no randomness
How does classical conditioning work?
Conditioning is a learned condition of the association.
The unconditioned stimulus, prior to learning, produces an unconditioned response.
A neutral stimulus produces no response.
During conditioning, the US is presented repeatedly right after the NS.
The US continues to produce a UR.
After conditioning, the previously neutral stimulus now becomes a conditioned stimulus and produces a conditioned response.
What is the conditioning process?
The ACQUISITION phase: Initial learning of the association between the NS and the US
During this phase, there is a gradual increase in respondent behaviour (strength of CR increases)
The EXTINCTION phase: “Unlearning” of the association, as a result of repeated exposure without paired = CS is presented alone
During this phase, there is a gradual decrease in respondent behaviour (strength of CR diminishes)
The SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY: Reappearance of respondent behaviour after a delay, without further pairing with the US.
The conditioned response remains = your learning lasts! It was not ‘unlearned’ due to not having the proper pairing with the US.
During this phase, there is a sudden increase in respondent behaviour
What is generalization?
Displaying the respondent behaviour in stimuli that is similar to the conditioned stimulus, but not identical.
= Learning applied to similar situations
Usually, the response is NOT as strong, but still present.
If not paired with the US, it will extinguish quickly.
What is discrimination?
Displaying the learned behaviour (respondent behaviour) only in specific situations.
Measured as a lack of respondent behaviour to stimuli similar, but not identical to, the conditioned stimulus = Response becoming particular
Occurs quickly, by not pairing with US.
What is Watson’s Little Albert experiment?
Baby Albert is exposed to many animals and does not show any fear.
The second time Albert is exposed to the animals, there is a simultaneous loud noise.
Albert begins to display signs of fear when exposed to animals.
The ______ and ___________ response are identical!
Unconditioned and conditioned response
What is operant conditioning?
Associating one’s actions with consequences.
