Learning Theory and Behaviour Therapy Flashcards
What is Learning?
A relatively permanent change in behaviour, or the capacity for behaviour, due to experience
What is Classical Conditioning?
Type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the ability to elicit the response that is naturally elicited by another stimulus
What is Operant Conditioning?
Type of learning in which responses become controlled by their consequences
Classical Conditioning: Unconditioned Stimulus
Naturally produces the target response
It triggers an unconditioned response
E.g. lemon triggers salivating
Classical Conditioning: Conditioned Stimulus
Does not naturally produce the target response, and prior to conditioning is neutral
After conditioning, the CS triggers a conditioned response
3 Stages of Classical Conditioning
- US (food) alone causes UR (salivation). NS (bell) does not cause salivation
- CS (bell) and US (food) together cause salivation
- VS (bell) produces salivation (now the CR)
Factors that Affect the Effectiveness of Classical Conditioning
- Number of Conditioning Trials: more trials leads to stronger response. Regardless, the CR is usually weaker than the UR
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Order & Timing of Presentation:
* Delay Conditioning: CS precedes and overlaps w/ US
* Trace Conditioning: CS presented and stopped prior to US
* Simultaneous Conditioning: CS and US presented at same time
Delay is most effective, w/ delay of 0.5 seconds
Classical Conditioning: Extinction
If CS is presented repeatedly without US, the CR gradually disappears or weakens
Classical Conditioning: Spontaneous Recovery
Sometimes after extinction, the CR suddenly returns (though weaker)
CR’s maybe can’t be completed extinguished, but significantly weakened
Classical Conditioning: Stimulus Generalization
Following conditioning trials, stimuli similar to the CS also elicit the CR (e.g. a bell w/ different pitch)
Classical Conditioning: Stimulus Discrimination
Ability to discriminate between CS and a stimulus that is only similiar to the CS but doesn’t come w/ reward
This can be taught w/ discrimination trials
Classical Conditioning: Experimental Neurosis
When required to make difficult discriminations between similar stimuli, animals begin acting strangely (e.g. agitated, sudden aggression)
Classical Conditioning: Higher-Order Conditioning
After initial conditioning trials, if a second NS is paired with the CS, it can elicit the CR
The CS acts as an US, which shows that CR’s can be can be established without using an US (e.g. the food)
Classical Conditioning: Blocking (Kamin, 1969)
When a CR has been established w/ a CS, the presence of the CS may block a connection btwn a second NS and the US if the CS and NS are presented together
Study: light = shock = fear. light + sound = shock = fear. sound = shock = no fear
Animals may not have paid attention to the new NS when it was paired with the OG NS
Classical Conditioning: Watson and Little Albert
Created a phobia of white rats in this poor child
The fear generalized to all white furry objects
3 Types of Therapy Techniques Based on Classical Conditioning
- Extinction based
- Counterconditioning based
- Aversive counterconditioning based
Exposure w/ Response Prevention (ERP)
Extinction Based
Expose person to the fear-arousing stimuli and prevent them from using their usual avoidance response
Flooding: Start with exposure to the stimuli that triggers max fear
Graduated Exposure: start w/ less intense ones
Are Exposure Protocols Effective?
Yes-Prolonged Exposure more helpful than brief exposure (can increase anxiety)
Implosive Therapy (Stampfl & Levis, 1967)
Extinction Based
Influenced by psychoanalytic and learning theory
Imaginal Exposure
Therapist exaggerates the scenes being imagined by the client, and injects psychodynamic themes that they think are a source of anxiety (e.g. hostility towards parents)
Systematic Desensitization (Wolpe)
Counterconditioning based
Techniques Used:
1. Relaxation Training: e.g. progressive muscle relaxation
2. Anxiety Hierarchy: 10-20 stimulus associated with phobic response, beginning w/ the easiest. SUDS is used.
3. Desensitization: work through the hierarchy while pairing relaxation w/ each stimulus.
Start: regulate
Begin: as soon as anxiety noticed, regulate
What Process Underlies Systematic Desensitization?
Reciprocal Inhibition: it works by inhibiting anxiety by substituting a reciprocal (incompatible) response (e.g. the relaxation)
Incompatible responses are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, while anxiety is by the sympathetic nervous system
Sex Therapy
Counterconditioning Based
Many sexual challenges involve performance anxiety
Pair activities associated w/ performance anxiety w/ activities that promote pleasurable physical sensations and relaxation
Homework: start small, progress from nongenital touching to genital pleasuring and eventually to whatever type of sex the couple strives towards
What are Aversive Counterconditioning approaches used for?
Substance abuse
Paraphilias
Self-injury
In Vivo Aversive Counterconditioning
Undesirable behaviour or stimuli associated with it is paired with a stimulus that naturally elicits pain, nausea, etc.
E.g. cigarette smoking paired with a shock or disgusting smell
Is it effective: in the short term. often requires ‘booster sessions’