Learning, Memory, and Behavior Flashcards
Non associative Learning
Learning that occurs in the absence of associating specific stimuli or events.
What are two types of non associative learning?
Habituation and sensitization
Habit
Action that is performed repeatedly until it becomes automatic.
Habituation
A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations.
Dishabituation
The restoration to full strength of a response to a stimulus that had previously become weakened through habituation.
Sensitization
An increase in the strength of a response with repeated presentations of a stimulus.
Produces a more exaggerated response and is usually temporary and may not result in any type of long term behavior change
Associative learning
Process of learning in which one event, object, or action is directly connected with another.
What are two general categories of associative learning?
Classical and operant conditioning
Classical conditioning
Process in which two stimuli are paired in a way that changes a response to one of them.
Ivan Pavlov
Famous for naming and describing the process of classical conditioning by training dogs to salivate to the sound of a ringing bell.
Neutral Stimulus
A stimulus that does not elicit any intrinsic response in absence of outside interference.
Conditioned Response
A previously unconditioned response to an unconditioned stimulus that has become a learned response to a conditioned stimulus.
Conditioned stimulus
An originally neutral stimulus that is paired with an unconditioned stimulus until it can produce the conditioned response without the unconditioned stimulus being present.
Unconditioned Response
A response that automatically follows an unconditioned stimulus, without necessitating learning and conditioning to create the link.
Unconditioned Stimulus
A stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response automatically, without necessitating learning and conditioning to create the link.
What is the process by which classically conditioned responses are developed and maintained?
- Acquisition
- Extinction
- Spontaneous Recovery
- Generalization
- Discrimination
Spontaneous Recovery
In classical conditioning, a reoccurrence of a previously extinct conditioned response int he presence of a conditioned stimulus. Often occurs after a period of time has passed since the initial extinction of the response.
Extinction
In classical conditioning, the unpairing of the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, accomplished by introducing the conditioned stimulus repeatedly in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus.
Acquisition
In classical conditioning, the process of learning the association between a conditioned stimulus and response
Discrimination (classical conditioning)
Occurs when the conditioned stimulus is differentiated from other stimuli
Generalization
In classical conditioning, the process by which stimuli similar that elicit the conditioned response
Taste Aversion
A type of classical conditioning in which a previously desirable or neutral food comes to be perceived as repugnant because it is associated with negative stimulation
Operant Conditioning
Also known as “instrumental conditioning.”
A form of associative learning based on consequences, in which reward increase the frequency of behaviors associated with them and punishments decrease their frequency.
B.F. Skinner
Coined the term “operant conditioning”. Is famous for his Skinner Box in which he used reinforcements to shape animal behavior.
Reinforcement
A consequence that INCREASES the likelihood that a preceding behavior will be repeated
Positive Reinforcement
Reward immediately following the behavior. Tends to increase the frequency of that behavior.
Negative Reinforcement
The removal of a negative or aversive stimulus following a behavior. Tends to increase the frequency of that behavior.
ADD desirable consequence
Positive reinforcement
REMOVE unpleasant stimulus
Negative reinforcement
What part of the brain is understood to be particularly important in negative conditioning?
Amygdala
What part of the brain is understood to be particularly important in positive conditioning?
Hippocampus
Primary (or unconditioned) reinforcers
Unconditioned consequences that are innately satisfying or desirable; we do not need to learn to see them as reinforcers because they are integral to our survival
Secondary (or conditioned) reinforcers
Conditioned reinforcers that are learned through their direct or indirect relationship with primary reinforcers; these are neutral stimuli that are paired with primary reinforcers to make them conditioned (must be paired with a primary reinforcer to produce a learned behavior)
Reinforcement Schedule
The frequency and regularity with which rewards are offered. Schedules can be based on a number of target behaviors (ratio) or on a time interval (interval).
Continuous Reinforcement Schedule
When every occurrence of the behavior is reinforced
Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule
When occurrences are sometimes reinforced and sometimes not
Continuous reinforcement will result in ______ behavior acquisition, but will also result in _______ extinction.
rapid; rapid
Intermittent reinforcement will result in ______ behavior acquisition, but will also result in _______ to extinction.
slower; resistance
List the four important intermittent reinforcement schedules.
- fixed -ratio
- variable -ratio
- fixed -interval
- variable -interval
Fixed -interval schedule
Reinforcement schedule in which reward is offered after a set period of time has passed.
Behavior will increase as the reinforcement interval comes to an end.
Fixed -ratio schedule
Reinforcement schedule in which reward is offered after a set number of instances of a behavior.
Produces a HIGH response rate.
Variable -interval schedule
Reinforcement schedule in which reward is offered after an unpredictable number of occurrences of a behavior.
Produces a SLOW, STEADY behavior response rate
Variable -ratio schedule
Reinforcement schedule in which reward is offered after an unpredictable time interval
Produces a HIGH response rate; Very Resistant to extinction.
Shaping
In operant conditioning, the process of reinforcing intermediate, proximal behaviors until a final, desired behavior is achieved.
Punishment
In operant conditioning, a consequence that decreases the likelihood that a preceding behavior will be repeated.
Punishment ______ behavior while reinforcement _____ behavior.
decreases; increases
Positive Punishment
The introduction of a negative or aversive stimulus following a behavior. Tends to decrease the likelihood of the behavior.
Negative Punishment
The removal of a positive or rewarding stimulus following a behavior. Tends to decrease the likelihood of the behavior.
ADD undesirable stimulus
Positive punishment
REMOVE a positive stimulus
Negative punishment
T or F: It is uncommon for punishment to have as much of a lasting effect as reinforcement.
True
Escape Learning
Through operant conditioning, this is the process of learning to engage in a particular behavior in order to get away from a negative or aversive stimulus.
Stems from NEGATIVE reinforcement.
Avoidance Learning
The process by which one learns to perform a behavior order to ensure that a negative or aversive stimulus will not be present.
Stems from NEGATIVE reinforcement.
Behaviorism
According to this perspective, personality is a result of learned behavior patterns based on a person’s environment. It is deterministic, proposing that people begin as blank slates, and the environmental reinforcement and punishment completely determine an individual’s subsequent behavior and personalities.
Cognitive Psychology
Tradition of psychology that focuses on the brain, cognitions, and thoughts as mediating learning and stimulus response behaviors
Insight Learning
Sudden flash of inspiration that provides a solution to a problem; moment where previously learned ideas or behaviors are suddenly combined in unique ways
Latent Learning
Learning that takes place int he absence of any observable behavior to show that it has occurred. This learning can later manifest and be demonstrated as observable behavior when it is required.
Classical conditioning vs. Operant conditioning: Definitions
CC: Organisms learn associations between events that they don’t control
OC: Organisms learn associations between behaviors and resulting events
Classical conditioning vs. Operant conditioning: Response
CC: involuntary, automatic
OC: voluntary
Classical conditioning vs. Operant conditioning: Acquisition
CC: Associating two events (stimuli)
OC: Associating response with consequence (reinforcement or punishment)
Classical conditioning vs. Operant conditioning: Extinction
CC: Conditioned response decreases as the conditioned stimulus is continually presented alone
OC: Response decreases without reinforcement
Classical conditioning vs. Operant conditioning: Spontaneous recovery
BOTH: reappearance, after a rest period, of a response but not as strong as the first
Classical conditioning vs. Operant conditioning: Generalization
CC: Response to a stimulus similar (but not identical) to the conditioned stimulus
OC: Response to a similar stimulus is also reinforced
Classical conditioning vs. Operant conditioning: Discrimination
CC: Ability to distinguish between conditioned stimulus and other stimuli
OC: Learning that certain responses, not others, will be reinforced
T or F: Learning occurs more quickly if it is biologically relevant.
True
Short-term memory
Memory that is limited in duration and capacity (lasts for seconds to hours)
Long-term memory
Information that is retained long-term, potentially indefinitely; it is believed to have infinite capacity