Lecture 1 - Intro Learning Theory

Question 1

Outline Pavlov

Answer 1

Physiologist 
Interested in gut 
Psychic secretions 
Temporal contiguity 
Quantify things otherwise completely abstract e.g.  collecting saliva = quantifying

Question 2

What does Nicholas Mackintosh 1983 say

Answer 2

As generations of students have complained, one of the most repellent features of the study of conditioning in animals is the barbarous terminology it has developed

Question 3

What is stimulus substitution

Answer 3

Animal comes to show a similar response to 2 stimulis

Treating 1 stimuli like another

Question 4

What is Key Pecking CR

Answer 4

Pigeon learn to key peck in automated box when light comes on to indicate good being delivered

EXCITATORY APPETITIVE

Question 5

What is Eye-Blink CR

Answer 5

Eye blink conditioning
Air puff used in eyes
Eye-blink when cue or anticipated you will blink earlier

EXCITATORY AVERSIVE CONDITIONING

Question 6

What work in philosophy and biology identified key factors

Answer 6

Newton’s laws and industrial revolution

Machines became metaphor for workings of brain

Question 7

Outline Descartes

Answer 7

Reflex
Brain like machine, also allowed for mind although this was construed as distinct = dualism
Knee jerk reaction

Question 8

Who were empiricists

Answer 8

Locke

Hume

Question 9

What did Empiricists say

Answer 9

Associationists
Mind blank state be written by experience
Associations of ideas create concepts

Question 10

What did Hume recognise

Answer 10

Temporal contiguity

Anticipating Pavlov

Question 11

Outline Darwin 1800s

Answer 11

Evolutionary theory and notion common ancestry paved way for comparative psychology

Question 12

Outline Thorndike 1900s

Answer 12

Puzzle boxes for Cats
Within box there is string/mechanism allow cat escape. As learning trials increase, cats get faster escaping. Response and learning stamped in. Reinforced.

Question 13

What did Thorndike propose in 1911

Answer 13

Proposed Law of Effect

Satisfaction e.g. food strengthens S-R associations

Question 14

Outline B F Skinner 1900

Answer 14

Modern Skinner box
Reflex at behavioural S-R level
Physiological and mentalistic correlates viewed as additional unnecessary complications

Question 15

Outline John B Watson 1900s: Behaviourism

Answer 15

1913 - Behavioural Manifesto
1920 - Little Albert Watson and Rayner
Fear when anticipating and generalising

Question 16

What is a famous example of conditioning and advertising?

Answer 16

Coca Cola with WWF to save the polar bear

Question 17

How do CC and instrumental conditioning work together

Answer 17

CC: relationship between environment event or signal and an outcome that matters

Instrumental: learning what goes with what, first event provided by self generate response followed by outcome (reinforced)