Learning Theory

Question 1

UCS

Answer 1

a stimulus that elicits a reflexive innate response without prior learning

Question 2

UCR

Answer 2

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

Question 3

CS

Answer 3

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

Question 4

CR

Answer 4

a response that is elicited by a conditioned stimulus

Question 5

Extinction

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Stimulus generalisation

Answer 6

stimuli similar to the initial CS elicit a CR

Question 7

Discrimination

Answer 7

a CR occurs in the presence of one stimulus but not others

Question 8

Classical conditioning

Answer 8

A process that creates an association between a pre-existing stimulus and a previously neutral one

Question 9

Operant conditioning

Answer 9

A process by which behaviour is learned and maintained as a result of the consequences that follow it (reinforcement or punishment)

Question 10

Higher order conditioning

Answer 10

occurs when an NS becomes a CS after being paired with an already established CR

Question 11

Classical strongest when

Answer 11

Repeated CS-UCS pairings

UCS = more intense

Time between UCS & CS = short

Sequence involves forward pairing

Question 12

Primary and secondary reinforcer

Answer 12

Primary reinforcers: stimuli, such as food and water, that an organism finds naturally reinforcing because they satisfy basic biological needs

· Secondary reinforcers: stimuli that acquire reinforcing properties through their association with primary reinforcer

Question 13

Positive and negative reinforcement

Answer 13

· Positive reinforcement: occurs when a response is strengthened by the subsequent presentation of a stimulus

· Negative reinforcement: occurs when a response is strengthened by the avoidance/removal of an aversive stimulus

Question 14

Punishment and punisher

Answer 14

Punishment: a response is weakened by the outcome that follows it.

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

Question 15

Operant extinction

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Schedules of partial reinforcement

Answer 16

• Fixed Interval: reinforcement occurs at a fixed time interval à activity increases as deadline nears
• Variable Interval: time interval varies at random around an average à steady activity results
• Fixed Ratio: reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses à activity slows after reinforcement & then picks up
• Variable Ratio: reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses, all centered around an average à greatest activity of all schedules
• Continuous Reinforcement: every instance of behaviour is reinforced
• More rapid learning with continuous reinforcement, as association is easier to understand
• Behaviour extinguishes more rapidly than partially reinforced response as the shift to no reinforcement is sudden and obvious

Question 17

Observational learning

Answer 17

we observe the behaviours of others and the consequences of those behaviours

Question 18

Vicarious learning

Answer 18

if their behaviours are reinforced we tend to imitate those behaviours

Question 19

Successful modelling involves

Answer 19

ATTENTION, RETENTION, PRODUCTION & MOTIVATION

I. Pay attention to the model

II. Remember what was done

III. Must be able to reproduce the modelled behaviour

IV. If successful behaviour is rewarded, behaviour is more likely to occur

Question 20

Studies key to learning theory

Pavlovs dog, Watson and rayon little Albert and bandora bobo doll.

Answer 20

Pavlov’s Dogs
· Study on Classical conditioning

Watson & Raynor (1920) Little Albert Experiment
· Study done into classical conditioning and learning fear

Bandura (1961) Bobo Doll Experiment

· Study into observational (social) learnin