Learning Theory Flashcards
What is classical conditioning?
A process that creates an association between a naturally existing stimulus + a previous neutral one
Define the following:
a. Unconditioned Stimulus
b. Conditioned Stimulus
c. Unconditioned Response
d. Conditioned Response
Unconditioned Stimulus: stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response (UCR) without prior learning
Conditioned Stimulus: stimulus that, through association with a UCS, comes to elicit a conditioned response similar to the original UCR
Unconditioned Response: A reflexive or innate response that is elicited by a stimulus (UCS) without prior learning
Conditioned Response: A response elicited by a conditioned stimulus
What is stimulus generalisation?
A tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar, but not identical, to a conditioned stimulus – it will elicit a conditioned response but in a weaker form
What is stimulus discrimination?
The ability to respond differently to various stimul e.g. fear of certain dog breeds
What is extinction?
A process in which the CS is presented repeatedly in the absence of the UCS, causing the CR to weaken + eventually disappear
Give a brief description of an iconic study into classical conditioning.
Pavlov’s Dogs: dogs would start salivating (UCR) when they were brought food (UCS). Then a bell was rung every time before the food was brought to them. Then they started salivating (CR) every time the bell was rung (CS).
What is observational (vicarious) learning? What is required for success?
Occurs by watching + imitating actions of another person, or by noting consequences of a person’s actions
Occurs before direct practice is allowed
Requires attention, remembering ability to reproduce behaviour + reinforcement
Name and describe an experiment that demonstrated observational learning?
Bobo Doll Experiment: children watched adults either behaving aggressively or non aggressively to a doll
Those who observed aggressive behaviour showed much higher levels of aggression to the doll when alone
What is operant conditioning?
A process in which behaviour is learned + maintained by its consequence
Define the following: Reinforcement Reinforcer Punishment Punisher
Reinforcement
A response is strengthened by an outcome that follows
Reinforcer
The outcome (a stimulus or event) that increases the frequency of a response
Punishment
A response that is weakened by an outcome that follows
Punisher
A consequence that weakens (decreases) the frequency of a response
What is operant extinction?
The weakening + eventual disappearance of a response because it is no longer reinforced
What are the two types of reinforcement?
Positive Reinforcement: when a response is strengthened by the subsequent presentation of a reinforcer
Negative Reinforcement: when a response is strengthened by the removal/ avoidance of an aversive stimulus
What are the 4 schedules of partial reinforcement?
Fixed interval schedule: reinforcement occurs after a fixed time interval
Variable interval schedule: time interval varies at random around an average
Fixed ratio schedule: reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses
Variable ratio: reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses, all centred around an average
What is continuous reinforcement?
Every instance of behaviour is reinforced
Learnt more rapidly than partial reinforcement because the association is easier to understand
Responses extinguish more rapidly than partial reinforcement because the shift to no reinforcement is sudden + easier to understand
What is habituation?
A decrease in strength of a response to a repeated stimulus
