Learning: Theories of Learning

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

Any relatively permanent or potential change in behaviour that may occur as a result of experience.

Question 2

Classical Conditioning

Answer 2

Learning through association between a neutral stimulus and an uncontrolled stimulus

Question 3

Unconditioned Stimulus

Answer 3

Stimulus that automatically provokes a reflexive response (seeing food)

Question 4

Unconditioned Response

Answer 4

Response resulting from a UCS without prior learning (salivation)

Question 5

Neutral Stimulus

Answer 5

Any stimulus that produces a non-conditioned response prior to learning (bell)

Question 6

Conditioned Stimulus

Answer 6

Former NS that gains the power to cause a response (bell)

Question 7

Conditioned Response

Answer 7

Response elicited by a previous NS that has become associated with the UCS (salivation)

Question 8

Pairing NS and CS

Answer 8

Certain UCS that naturally evokes a specific, involuntary UCR is paired over a series of trials with a NS that doesn’t usually produce this response

Question 9

Association

Answer 9

Occurs between NS and UCS during acquisition

Question 10

Acquisition

Answer 10

Learning stage during which a CR comes to be elicited by a CS (acquired new behaviour)

Question 11

After classical conditioning…

Answer 11

UCS alone will elicit response - which it formerly did not produce (now CS)

Question 12

Stimulus Generalisation

Answer 12

Tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to an originally conditioned stimulus

e.g. Pavlov’s dog salivating to other loud noises (whistle)

Question 13

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 13

Tendency to only respond to original stimulus used to condition them

e.g. Pavlov’s dog only salivating to bell, no other loud sounds

Question 14

Stimulus Extinction

Answer 14

Diminishing of a learned response when UCS doesn’t follow a CS.

Does not completely eliminate response to CS

To reverse acquisition of CR through NS and UCS pairing, strength of the connection between the two stimuli must be weakened

Question 15

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 15

Response after a rest period of an extinguished CR

Weaker than original CR

Question 16

Operant Conditioning

Answer 16

Learning whereby the consequences of a voluntary action determines likelihood of future repetition

Question 17

Three Phase Model

Answer 17

• Antecedent (environmental stimulus): Stimulus that occurs before a response (prompts behaviour)
• Behaviour (response / action): Voluntary response resulting from antecedent
• Consequence (outcome): Result that influences likelihood of that behaviour occurring again

Question 18

Three Phase Model Example

Answer 18

Antecedent: Toddler screaming in supermarket

Behaviour: Toddler given a lolly

Consequence: Toddler given lots of lollies

Question 19

Reinforcement

Answer 19

Any event that strengthens behaviour / response it follows

Question 20

Role of reinforcers

Answer 20

Positive: Adds valuable / desirable stimulus (e.g. getting A on test increases behaviour of studying)

Negative: Removes unpleasant stimulus (e.g. avoiding sunburn increases behaviour of applying sunblock in the future)

Question 21

Schedules of Reinforcement

Answer 21

Continuous Reinforcement: Reinforces behaviour each time it happens, establishing strong connection between behaviour and response

Partial Reinforcement: Once behaviour is established to strengthen the behaviour. Can be fixed or variable, and either interval or ratio

Question 22

Interval Schedules (time)

Answer 22

Fixed-interval (predictable): exact amount of time passes between each reinforcement e.g. studying for weekly quiz

Variable-interval (unpredictable): varying amount of time passes between each reinforcement e.g. checking emails

Question 23

Ratio Schedules (response rate - #)

Answer 23

Fixed-ratio (predictable): reinforcement occurs after an exact number of responses e.g. getting free meal after 10 purchases

Variable-ratio (unpredictable): occurs after a varying number of responses e.g. lottery, shots needed to win soccer game

Question 24

Factors Affecting Operant Conditioning

Answer 24

Immediacy: If reinforcer is given immediately, it has maximum effectiveness

Contingency: Reinforcer should occur consistently after response

Principle of Deprivation and Satiation: Desirability that consequence (reward) diminishes over time because person has lesser desire for reward

Principle of Size: If size or amount of consequence is large enough to be worth the effort then the consequence will be more effective upon the behaviour

Question 25

Token Economy

Answer 25

Behavioural modification

Systematic positive reinforcement of target behaviour

Tokens are worthless objects that can be exchanged for tangible reinforcers

Have to be used as reinforcers so that every time a desired behaviour is performed, a token is given

Question 26

Systemic Desensitisation

Answer 26

Behavioural modification

Type of behavioural therapy (Pavlovian) that aims to overcome phobias and other anxiety disorders

Using relaxation skills to react towards and overcome situations in an established hierarchy of fears (from least to most)

Key to systemic desensitisation is gradual exposure

Can be done in vitro (imagining exposure to phobia) or in vivo (actually exposed to phobia)