Learning Psychology Flashcards
Who proposed classical conditioning?
Pavlov
Explain classical conditioning
-2 stimuli repeatedly used together causing one to associate with another -unconditioned stimulus triggers unconditioned response -neutral stimuli paired with UCS = leads to CS -overtime = conditioned response
What is stimulus generalization?
responding to a stimuli which is similar to the CS -generalizing all stimuli together
What is spontaneous recovery?
a previously conditioned response that reoccurs after extinction
What is extinction?
UCS and CS not linked for a while -link becomes extinct
What were the UCS, UCR, NS, CS & CR in Pavlov’s study?
UCS: dog food UCR: salivation NS: bell ringing CS: NS paired with UCS CR: salivation when bell rings
What were the aims of Pavlov’s study?
explaining the role of conditioned reflexes in the eating behavior of dogs -explaining how salivation becomes associated with new stimuli
What was the procedure of Pavlov’s study?
-DV: saliva measured by volume in canula -soundproof chamber to minimize effects of EV’s -paired NS and UCS around 20 times -variations investigated extinction + spontaneous recovery
What were the findings of Pavlov’s study?
-NS didn’t initially elicit salivation response -after pairing, NS = salivation after a few seconds -one trial: salivation 9 secs after sound, 45 drops -only if dog alert + undistracted
What were the conclusions of Pavlov’s study?
link likely to be made in brain between UCS and NS -dog can learn to salivate at bell so it is prepared to eat food when presented
What was a strength of Pavlov’s study?
-some good experimental controls -reduced impact of EV’s = enhanced internal validity -soundproof chamber = reduce effect of external sounds -external collection of saliva = prevents loss of saliva -response to NS measured before pairing
What was an opposing argument of Pavlov’s study?
-can’t be generalized to humans (conducted on dogs) -humans have structurally different brains, may respond differently -greater complex cognitive processing HOWEVER -Little Albert study shows that classical conditioning also occurs in humans
What was an application of Pavlov’s study?
eating problems (e.g. obesity) -overweight children have acquired strong associations between cues that predict arrival of food, overeating follows exposure to these cues -significance in developing therapies such as systemic desensitization
What is operant conditioning?
a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by reinforcement or diminished if followed by punishment
Who studied operant conditioning?
B.F. Skinner
What is positive reinforcement?
addition of a pleasant stimulus
What is negative reinforcement?
removal of unpleasant stimulus
What is positive punishment?
addition of unpleasant stimulus
What is negative punishment?
removal of a pleasant stimulus
What is the difference between primary and secondary reinforcers?
PRIMARY: -biological significance (food, drink, shelter, sex) SECONDARY: -stimulus associated with primary (money - can buy food)
Evaluate a strength operant conditioning
many studies on both animals and humans -studies consistently show that behavior can be modified by reinforcement or punishment -modern brain studies support
Evaluate an opposing argument operant conditioning
-incomplete explanation of learning -only explains existing behavior, not where it originates -can’t account for behaviors never performed before
Evaluate an application operant conditioning
education and childcare -systems of reinforcement used in range of places -e.g. parents using star charts or food treats to reinforce good behavior
What is continuous reinforcement?
reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
what is partial reinforcement?
reinforcing a response only part of the time -slower acquisition of a response but greater resistance to extinction
what are fixed-ratio schedules?
-schedule that reinforces response only after specific number of responses -E.g. every 5 pieces of homework, give child cookie
what are variable-ratio schedules?
schedule that reinforces response after unpredictable number of responses
what are fixed-interval schedules?
-only after specified time has elapses -e.g. giving child cookie after 2 hours of homework
what are variable-interval schedules?
unpredictable time intervals -e.g. pop quizzes
What are the 4 types of partial reinforcement?
fixed ratio -variable ratio -fixed interval -variable interval
Evaluate a strength of reinforcement schedules.
studies on both animals and humans -Latham + Dossett: mountain beaver trappers respond better to variable ratio pay -evidence supporting properties of partial reinforcement in both human + non-human animal learning
Evaluate an opposing argument of reinforcement schedules.
-fails to take account of intrinsic motivation (enjoyment/self-motivation) -humans motivated by range of factors -only considers extrinsic motivation (someone else giving the reward/punishment)
Evaluate an application of reinforcement schedules.
treating inappropriate behavior -behavior modification systems = treat range of mental health problems -practical benefit to clients
What does social learning theory say?
learning through observation and imitation -watching and copying other people (role model) -learning of social factors in the environment
Who studied social learning theory?
Bandura
what are the 4 stages of social learning theory?
1: attention (to model) 2: retention (remembering model’s behavior) 3: reproduction (having the skills for imitation) 4: motivation (e.g. reward)