Lecture 2 Flashcards
Behavioral Learning
An individual determines what behaviors are culturally appropriate and how behaviors result in specific outcomes.
Associative Learning/Conditioning
Learning that involves associations between certain stimuli and specific response.
Acquisition
Stage of learning over which a conditioned response to a new stimulus is established
Extinction
Disappearance of the conditioned response.
Spontaneous Recovery
Reappearance of the conditioned response after a period of extinction.
Stimulus Generalization
Tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus. (American crow call vs. western raven call)
Stimulus Discrimination
Learned lack of response to a stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus. (keep training so a dog can determine differences between bird calls and will only salivate with one)
Operant Conditioning
Associative learning in which an individual becomes more or less likely to carry out a certain behavior based on its consequences. (Skinner box - rat steps on lever to dispense food)
Reinforcement
Consequence that that INCREASES the likelihood of a behavior (food delivery)
Punishment
Stimulus that DECREASES the likelihood of a behavior (shock delivery)
Positive Reinforcement
Introduction of a reinforcing stimulus in response to a desired behavior.
Negative Reinforcement
Removal of an unpleasant stimulus in response to a desired behavior.
Primary Reinforcers/Punishers
Harness physiological needs and the drive for survival. Do not require learning.
Primary reinforcer example
Delivery of food
Primary punisher example
Exposure to extreme temperatures
Secondary Reinforcers/Punishers
Require learning and social context to affect behavioral decisions. Once learned they can be just as effective as primary reinforcers and punishers.
Secondary Reinforcer/Conditioned Reinforcer examples
Money, praise, prestige, good grades
Secondary Punisher Example
Fines, scolding, ostracism, and bad grades
Escape Conditioning
Learned behavior that allows the subject to escape an unpleasant stimulus. (mouse cage with half the floor capable of delivering shocks)
Avoidance Conditioning
Learned behavior allows the subject to avoid the unpleasant stimulus altogether by employing a specific response. (blowing a whistle before shocks, allow mouse to move to different region)
Reinforcement Schedule
Describes how often and under what conditions a behavior is reinforced. (extinction depends on this schedule)
Fixed-Ratio
Rewards are provided after a specified number of responses (reward after every third time)
Variable-Ratio
Rewards are provided after an unpredictable number of responses (most successful)
Fixed-Interval
Rewards to a response are provided after a specified time interval has passed (reward given 20 seconds after lever is pressed)