Learning Theory

Question 1

What is learning defined as

Answer 1

A process by which experience produces a relatively enduring change in an organism’s behaviour or capabilities

Question 2

What is classical conditioning defined as

Answer 2

a process that creates an association between a naturally existing stimulus and a previous neutral one.

Question 3

What is an Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS

Answer 3

a stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response (UCR) without prior learning

Question 4

What is a Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Answer 4

a stimulus that, through association with a UCS, comes to elicit a conditioned response similar to the original UCR

Question 5

What is an Unconditioned Response (UCR)

Answer 5

a reflexive or innate response that is elicited by a stimulus (UCS) without prior learning

Question 6

What is a Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 6

a response elicited by a conditioned stimulus

Question 7

What is Stimulus Generalisation

Answer 7

a tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar, but not identical, to a conditioned stimulus – will elicit CR but in a weaker form

Question 8

What is Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 8

the ability to respond differently to various stimuli

Question 9

What is Extinction

Answer 9

a process in which the CS is presented repeatedly in the absence of the UCS, causing the CR to weaken and eventually disappear

Question 10

What does Pavlovs dogs demonstrate? What is the UCS and CS?

Answer 10

Demonstrates classical conditioning

Pavlov’s Dogs
• Dogs naturally salivate in response to food (UCS). A tone (CS) was then associated with the food, to condition the dogs to the tone.
• After conditioning, dogs salivated in the presence of the tone (CS) and the absence of the food (UCS)

Question 11

What does the little Albert experiment demonstrate? What is the UCS and CS?

Answer 11

Classical conditioning
Watson & Raynor (1920) – Little Albert Experiment
• Toy rat initially produced no response in baby. Rat was then associated with a loud noise (UCS), to condition the baby to the rat.
• After conditioning, baby cried in the presence of the rat (CS) and the absence of loud noise (UCS).

Question 12

4 things that are required for observational social learning?

Answer 12

• Success requires 1) attention, 2) retention, 3) production, 4) motivation

Question 13

What is social learning

Answer 13

• Occurs by watching and imitating actions of another person or by noting consequences of a person’s actions

Question 14

What does the Bobo Doll experiment demonstrate? What happened in it?

Answer 14

Demonstrates social learning

All children spent time in a playroom with an adult who modelled either non-aggressive (building a tinker toy) or aggressive play (punching and striking the Bobo doll with a mallet).
All children then spent a further 20 minutes in the room alone and their behaviour was observed. Aggressive behaviour both imitative and non-imitative was recorded.
Children who observed aggressive behaviour showed a much higher level of aggression towards the doll.

Question 15

Define operant conditioning

Answer 15

a process by which behaviour is learned and maintained by its consequences.

Question 16

Define reinforcement

Answer 16

a response is strengthened by an outcome that follows it.

Question 17

Define reinforcer

Answer 17

outcome (a stimulus or event) that increases the frequency of a response

Question 18

Define punishment

Answer 18

a response is weakened by the outcome that follows it.

Question 19

Define Operant Extinction

Answer 19

the weakening and eventual disappearance of a response because it is no longer reinforced.

Question 20

Define punisher

Answer 20

a consequence that weakens (decreases) the frequency of a response.

Question 21

2 types of reinforcement? Explain them?

Answer 21

• Positive: occurs when a response is strengthened by subsequent presentation of a reinforcer.
• Negative: occurs when a response is strengthened by removal (or avoidance) of an aversive stimulus.

Question 22

What are the 5 different schedules of reinforcement

Answer 22

• Fixed Interval: reinforcement occurs at a fixed time interval
• Variable Interval: time interval varies at random around an average
• Fixed Ratio: reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses
• Variable Ratio: reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses, all centered around an average
• Continuous Reinforcement: every instance of behaviour is reinforced —>
• More rapid learning with continuous, as association is easier to understand
• Behaviour extinguishes more rapidly that partially reinforced response as the shift to no reinforcement is sudden and obvious

Question 23

Which is the best schedule of reinforcement for learning and why

Answer 23

Continuous as it is easier to make the association

Question 24

In which reinforcement schedule does behaviour extinguish the most rapidly when reinforcment is stopped

Answer 24

Continuous as the shift to no reinforcement is sudden and obvious

Question 25

When does observational learning occur?

Answer 25

Before direct practise is even allowed

Question 26

What is to be bore in mind regarding observational learning?

Answer 26

You don’t imitate everyone

Question 27

Classical conditioning is strongest when: (4)

Answer 27

• There is a repeated CS-UCS pairings
• The UCS is more intense (the more intense it is, the stronger the response is).
• The sequence involves forward pairing (i.e. CS  UCS)
• The time interval between the CS and UCS is short. If the time interval isn’t short enough, the two stimuli won’t be paired together and carry out a response.