learning science and application Flashcards
What do the terms positive and negative mean in learning theory?
Positive means adding something to the environment; negative means taking something away from the environment.
What is a reinforcer?
Something the learner will work to earn or finds pleasurable.
What is the difference between a reinforcer and a reward?
A reinforcer strengthens the likelihood a specific behavior will repeat; a reward is a momentary acknowledgment.
What is a punisher?
Something the learner will work to avoid or finds aversive.
True or False: Whether something is a reinforcer or punisher is determined by the trainer’s intent.
False.
What does the term unconditioned mean?
It refers to a stimulus or response that was not learned.
What does the term conditioned mean?
It refers to a stimulus or response that has a meaning that was taught to the learner.
What is counter-conditioning?
Teaching a stimulus or response to have a new, usually opposite meaning.
What is a neutral stimulus?
A stimulus that has no meaning at all to the learner.
What are the ABCs in learning theory?
Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence.
What is a primary reinforcer?
Anything a learner would naturally work for to survive, such as food or water.
What is a secondary reinforcer?
A stimulus that has been paired with or predicts a primary reinforcer.
What is a tertiary reinforcer?
A behavior or stimulus that has been paired with or predicts a secondary reinforcer.
What is Premack’s Principle?
A more likely behavior can reinforce a less likely behavior.
Who is Edward Thorndike?
A pioneer in learning theory known for the Law of Effect and trial and error learning.
What is the Law of Effect?
Learning occurs as an animal practices and learns to compare right and wrong answers.
What is classical conditioning?
A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.
What was the key experiment conducted by Ivan Pavlov?
Dogs salivating at the sound of a bell due to its association with food.
What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?
A neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response.
What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
A stimulus that has an inherent meaning without needing to be learned.
What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?
A reflexive response to an unconditioned stimulus.
What is a conditioned response (CR)?
A learned response to a conditioned stimulus.
What is desensitization?
Presentation of a conditioned stimulus at low levels to avoid a response.
What is the significance of timing in classical conditioning?
Timing is crucial for building associations; incorrect timing can ‘poison’ the stimulus.
What is desensitization?
The presentation of a CS at low enough levels that the learner can avoid responding.
CS stands for conditioned stimulus, which is a stimulus that elicits a response due to prior conditioning.
What is counter-conditioning?
A method used with desensitization to change the conditioned response (CR) by presenting an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that has a good association.
UCS usually refers to something desirable, like food, that is paired with the CS.
What is habituation?
A process where a learner gets ‘used to’ a stimulus and eventually ignores it.
This is often related to attention rather than a change in the CR.
Define extinction in learning theory.
The process where the association between the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the neutral stimulus (NS) becomes null due to lack of pairing.
Extinction can lead to extinction bursts, where behavior intensity increases before it decreases.
What occurs during spontaneous recovery?
When a behavior is extinguished, but the association is accidentally reinforced.
This can happen if an external factor reintroduces the behavior after a period of extinction.
Who defined operant learning?
B.F. Skinner.
Operant learning is learning that occurs as the learner operates within their environment and responds to consequences.
List the four quadrants of operant learning.
- Positive Reinforcement
- Negative Reinforcement
- Positive Punishment
- Negative Punishment
What is positive reinforcement?
Adding a stimulus that increases the frequency of a behavior.
An example is offering a treat for a behavior like sitting.
What is negative reinforcement?
Removing a stimulus to increase the frequency of a behavior.
An example is stopping a pressure from a head collar when the dog stops pulling.
What is positive punishment?
Adding a stimulus that decreases the frequency of a behavior.
An example is applying a collar correction to stop leash pulling.
What is negative punishment?
Removing a stimulus to decrease the frequency of a behavior.
An example is withholding attention from a dog that jumps up until it stops.
True or False: Reinforcement and punishment are perceived the same by the trainer and learner.
False.
If a method does not decrease behavior frequency, it may not be perceived as punishment by the learner.
What is shaping in training?
A method where behavior is broken down into simpler goals, with gradual increases in difficulty.
This allows for teaching complex behaviors through successive approximation.
What does targeting involve?
Providing a location goal for the dog to reach, such as touching a hand with their nose.
This is useful for teaching behaviors like coming when called.
What is capturing in dog training?
Reinforcing a dog spontaneously doing something desirable.
This method encourages natural behaviors to be repeated.
Fill in the blank: The three D’s in dog training refer to ______, ______, and ______.
Distance, Duration, Distraction
What is the purpose of adding a cue in dog training?
To name a trained behavior once the dog reliably offers it.
This helps maintain the integrity of the cue known as stimulus control.
What is generalization in dog training?
Teaching the dog that a command means the same behavior in different environments.
For example, a dog should sit on command in various locations, not just at home.
What is a common misconception clients have about their dog behavior in different environments?
Clients assume that because a dog behaves well at home, it will behave similarly in other settings like a park.
This highlights the importance of training dogs in various environments.
What is the significance of cues and stimulus control in dog training?
Dogs often respond to body language rather than verbal commands, making it crucial to be aware of how commands are delivered.
For example, raising a hand or nodding may cue the dog to sit.
What is a Continuous Reinforcement Schedule (CRF)?
A CRF is when a dog receives a treat for every correct response, creating a 1:1 ratio.
This is similar to a vending machine where every action results in a reward.
What does a Fixed Ratio (FR) schedule entail?
An FR schedule involves a set number of correct responses needed to receive a treat, such as a 1:4 ratio.
This is analogous to receiving a paycheck after a week of work.
What is the concept of Post-Reinforcement Pause?
It refers to a dip in performance that occurs after reinforcement before beginning the next set of responses.
This can be observed in both humans and dogs.
What is a Variable Ratio (VR) schedule?
A VR schedule varies the number of responses required to receive a treat, creating unpredictability in rewards.
This is similar to the experience of playing a slot machine.
Explain the Fixed Interval (FI) schedule.
In a FI schedule, a set amount of time must pass before the next reinforcer can be earned, reinforcing the first correct response within that time.
For example, if set to 5 seconds, only the first correct response during that period is reinforced.
What is a Variable Interval (VI) schedule?
A VI schedule varies the time between reinforcements, requiring the first correct response after an unpredictable time period.
This keeps the dog guessing and engaged.
Differentiate between Differential Reinforcement of High Response Rate (DRH) and Low Response Rate (DRL).
DRH increases response speed, while DRL encourages slower responses.
For instance, DRH would reinforce quick sits, while DRL would reinforce sits after a delay.
What is Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors (DRI)?
DRI is a technique used to eliminate unwanted behaviors by reinforcing a behavior that cannot occur simultaneously with the unwanted one.
For example, asking a dog to sit instead of jumping.
What is the purpose of Reinforcement of Other Behaviors (DRO)?
DRO reinforces any behavior that is not the unwanted behavior, although it may lead to new unwanted behaviors.
It is generally better to reinforce incompatible behaviors.
What is Reinforcement of Excellent Behaviors (DRE)?
DRE aims to improve the quality of a response by reinforcing only the best examples of a behavior.
This is crucial for shaping new behaviors.
What does the 300 Peck Method refer to?
It involves incrementally increasing the time a dog maintains a response before receiving reinforcement.
For example, starting with a 1-second stay and gradually increasing the duration.
How does classical learning differ from operant conditioning?
Classical learning focuses on association strength rather than response accuracy, requiring the CS to always be followed by the UCS.
This is vital for effective counter-conditioning.
What is the hierarchy of reinforcers?
It refers to the increasing value of reinforcers, starting from lower value items to higher value items.
For example, kibble to boiled chicken for dogs.
List some common reinforcers for dogs.
- Food
- Play
- Sniffing
- Chew items
- Praise
- Ear scratches
Anything the dog enjoys can serve as a reinforcer.
What are common types of punishers in dog training?
- Penny cans
- Leash corrections
- Squirt bottles
- Verbal corrections
- Hand claps
These should be used carefully to avoid harm or ineffective training.
What is learned helplessness in dogs?
It occurs when punishment is misused, leading the dog to believe they cannot escape or find a correct response.
This results in the dog appearing depressed and unresponsive.
What should be managed to set a dog up for success in training?
- Environmental cues
- Dog’s response to these cues
Managing these factors is crucial before implementing training protocols.
What is the Premack Principle in dog training?
It involves reinforcing a less desirable behavior with a more desirable one, such as rewarding quietness with treats after a doorbell rings.
This helps control which behavior is reinforced.
What are the steps for training loose leash walking?
- Manage pulling with proper equipment
- Teach polite walking using positive reinforcement
- Practice in varied environments
This ensures the dog learns to walk politely anywhere.
What is the importance of management in training protocols?
Management helps prevent the dog from practicing bad habits, making it easier to teach new, good behaviors.
This aligns with the Humane Hierarchy.
How can a trainer improve a dog’s recall?
- Start with management
- Attach a leash
- Teach via shaping or targeting
- Generalize to new environments
This ensures a reliable recall in various situations.
What is a key takeaway regarding the application of learning theory?
Everything learned about dog training applies equally to human clients, emphasizing the need for effective feedback and encouragement.
Providing positive reinforcement to clients is crucial.
What is the significance of learning theory in training?
It is crucial for understanding how both dogs and humans learn.
True or False: Only dogs are learners in the training process.
False
Humans are also learners in the training process.
What should trainers provide to their clients during training?
Useful feedback and encouragement.
Who is the author of the book ‘Excel-erated Learning’?
Pam Reid.
Fill in the blank: Pam Reid’s book is on the _______ recommended reading list.
CPDT-KA.
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What is one recommended action to assess your understanding of learning theory?
Take the quiz.
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Why is it important to think about the human aspect in training?
Because everything learned applies to the human end of training teams.
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What is one benefit of providing feedback like ‘good job’?
It encourages clients.
