Learning Theory- Behaviourism

Question 1

Main assumptions

Answer 1

• Behaviour is learnt through experience
• We are born as blank slate
• It’s valid to study animal behaviou bc share same principles of learning
• observable behaviour is measurable scientifically
• 2 forms of learning- classical and operant conditioning

Question 2

Term: learning

Answer 2

Relatively permanent change in behaviour, an activity that could not be performed previosuly but now can

Question 3

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 3

Learning through association

Question 4

Term: stimulus generalisation

Answer 4

Stimulus becomes generalis d to other related stimuli associated with conditioned response

Question 5

Term: stimulus discrimination

Answer 5

Stimulus is too different from original stimulus to not be associated with conditioned response

Question 6

Term: extinction

Answer 6

Animal re-exposed o conditioned cue in absence of unconditioned stimulus

Question 7

Term: spontaneous recovery

Answer 7

Re-emergence of response that had been previously conditioned

Question 8

Classical conditioning examples

Answer 8

• Pavlovs dogs: bell, food, salivate
• Little Albert: loud noise, rat, cry

Question 9

What is operant conditioning ?

Answer 9

Learning through consequence

Question 10

What did Thorndike’s study involve?

Answer 10

Cats trying to escape puzzle box where they were required to pull latch. First time- took time and by chance. Once learned they could escape by pulling latch they did straight away in subsequent trials- bc rewarded as food outside box

Question 11

What is Thorndike’s Law of Effect?

Answer 11

Behaviours are followed by rewards are usually repeated (stamped in) and those punished not usually repeated (stamped out)

Question 12

What did Skinner do about the Law of Effect?

Answer 12

Introduced the idea of reinforcement to the Law of effect and said that all behaviour is learned from the consequence of behaviour

Question 13

Term: positive reinforcement

Answer 13

Reward/ pleasant consequence that increases likelihood that behaviour repeated

Question 14

Term: Negtaive reinforcement

Answer 14

Unpleasant experience removed after behaviour been made, increasing likelihood of behaviour repeated

Question 15

Term: Punishment

Answer 15

Stimulus that weakens behaviour because it is unpleasant and we try and avoid it decreasing likelihood of repeating behaviour

Question 16

Positive reinforcement in Skinners Rats

Answer 16

Press lever, get reward, more likely repeat

Question 17

Negative reinforcement in Skinners Rats

Answer 17

Press lever, turn off electric grid, more likely repeat

Question 18

What did Skinners discover about animal rewards?

Answer 18

If an animal was rewarded everytime it activated lever the conditioned behaviour would quickly die out (become extinct) bc animal full.
Variable Ratio Schedule prolongs behaviour and most resistant to extinction