Learning & Memory Flashcards
Name two types of associative learning.
Classical and operant conditioning
Classical conditioning
a type of associative learning that takes advantage of instinctual responses to create association btw two unrelated stimuli. (Pavlov’s dogs - turning a neutral stimulus into a conditioned stimulus that causes a conditioned response through a process called acquisition)
Operant conditioning
a type of associative learning that modifies the frequency of a behavior using reinforcement (increases behavior) or punishment (decreases behavior)
Habituation
Repeated exposure to the same stimulus can cause a decrease in response
Reinforcement
process of increasing likelihood of a behavior; can be positive or negative
Positive reinforcer
increase a behavior by adding a positive consequence; eg working hard to earn money increases likelihood of working hard
negative reinforcer
increase a behavior by removing a negative stimulus; eg taking aspirin to relieve headache increases likelihood of taking aspirin
Name two types of negative reinforcers
escape learning, avoidance learning
Define escape learning
the role of the behavior is to reduce the unpleasantness of something that already exists
Define avoidance learning
the role of the behavior is to prevent the unpleasantness of something that has not yet happened
Give examples of a primary and secondary (conditioned) reinforcer
Using a clicker to train dogs: primary reinforcer is the treat; secondary reinforcer is the clicker associated with receiving a treat
Define punishment
Uses conditioning to reduce the likelihood of a behavior
Positive punishment
Adds an unpleasant stimulus; eg a thief is arrested for stealing
Negative punishment
Removes a pleasant stimulus; eg loss of TV privileges for not doing homework
The 4 types of reinforcement schedules are… describe each.
- Fixed-ratio (FR) - reinforces after a specific number of times behavior is performed
- Variable-ratio (VR) - reinforces after a varying number of times behavior is performed, most effective
- Fixed-interval (FI) - reinforce the first instance of behavior after a specified time period has passed
- Variable-interval (VI) - reinforce the first instance of behavior after a varying interval of time
Define shaping
the process of rewarding increasingly specific behaviors (“take care of the baby” dog)
Latent learning
learning that occurs without a reward but is spontaneously demonstrated when a reward is introduced. eg, rats carried through a maze can complete the maze on their own when incentivized
Preparedness
predisposition for an animal to learn a behavior that coincides with its natural behaviors; eg birds naturally peck, so rewarding them in response to a pecking-based behavior works well.
Instinctive drift
difficulty in overcoming instinctual behaviors. eg being unable to teach raccoons to place coins in a piggy bank because raccoons would rub coins together and dip them in the bank similar to food.
Observational learning
learning a new behavior by watching others - think of Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment of assaulting clown toys in the presence of children