Models to explain learning

Question 1

Classical conditioning

Answer 1

A type of learning that occurs through repeated association of two or more different stimuli.

Question 2

Neutral stimulus (NS)

Answer 2

An object or event that does not produce a response, however later becomes the CS due to association with UCS.

Question 3

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 3

Stimulus that produces the learned response - was originally the NS.

Question 4

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 4

Stimulus that produces a naturally occurring, automatic response.

Question 5

Conditioned response (CR)

Answer 5

The learned response to the CS.

Question 6

Unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 6

The response that automatically occurs when the UCS is presented.

Question 7

What are the 3 phases of conditioning?

Answer 7

Phase 1: Before conditioning
Phase 2: During conditioning
Phase 3: After conditioning

Question 8

Phase 1: Before conditioning

Answer 8

the NS produces no response, and the UCS produces the UCR.

Question 9

Phase 2: During conditioning

Answer 9

NS is repeatedly paired with UCS to produce UCR.

Question 10

Phase 3: After conditioning

Answer 10

NS becomes the CS, the CS produces the CR.

Question 11

Classical conditioning - Stimulus generalisation

Answer 11

A stimulus that is similar to the CS producing a response that is similar to the CR.

Question 12

Classical conditioning - Stimulus discriminiation

Answer 12

When a person response to the CS only, and not to any stimulus that is similar to the CS.

Question 13

Classical conditioning - extinction

Answer 13

The gradual decrease in the strength of the CR that occurs when the UCS is no longer presented.

Question 14

Classical conditioning - spontaneous recovery

Answer 14

The reappearance of the CR when the CS is presented following a rest period after extinction.

Question 15

Little Albert experiment
- who conducted it
- NS, UCS, UCR, CS, CR

Answer 15

John B. Watson
NS = white rat
UCS = loud noise
UCR = crying
CS = white rat
CR = crying

Question 16

Ethical implications of Little Albert experiment

Answer 16

Informed consent - Alberts mother may not have known that her son was being used to condition a fear response.
Withdrawal rights - the experimenters made no attempt to end the experiment after little albert showed signs of severe stress and anxiety.
Psychological harm - Albert was most likely psychologically traumatised.

Question 17

What are the 3 Operant conditioning phases?

Answer 17

• Antecedent
• Behaviour
• Consequence

Question 18

Operant conditioning - Antecedent

Answer 18

An environmental stimulus that prompts the relevant behaviour.

Question 19

Operant conditioning - Behaviour

Answer 19

Occurs due to the antecedent; what are they doing?

Question 20

Operant conditioning - Consequences

Answer 20

Occurs due to the behaviour - it increases or decreases the likelihood of future behaviour.

Question 21

Reinforcement

Answer 21

Any event that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a particular response occurring.

Question 22

Reinforcer

Answer 22

Specifically refers to stimulus.

Question 23

Punishment

Answer 23

The delivery of an unpleasant consequence following a response, or the removal of a pleasant consequence in order to weaken a response.

Question 24

Positive reinforcement

Answer 24

Adding/giving a desirable stimulus that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a desired response.

Question 25

Negative reinforcement

Answer 25

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus, increasing the likelihood of a desired response.

Question 26

Positive punishment

Answer 26

The delivery of an unpleasant stimulus following an undesirable response that decreases the likelihood of a response occurring again.

Question 27

Negative punishment/Response cost

Answer 27

The removal or loss of a pleasant stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a response occurring again.

Question 28

Operant conditioning - Stimulus generalisation

Answer 28

When the correct response is made to another stimulus that is similar to the stimulus that was present when the conditioned response was reinforced.

Question 29

Operant conditioning - Stimulus discrimination

Answer 29

When an organism makes the correct response to a stimulus and is reinforced, but does not respond to similar stimuli.

Question 30

Operant conditioning - Extinction

Answer 30

The gradual decrease in the strength of the conditioned response following consistent non-reinforcement of the response.

Question 31

Operant conditioning - Spontaneous recovery

Answer 31

The reappearance of a conditioned response following a rest period after its apparent extinction.

Question 32

Classical conditioning + Operant conditioning
- Differences

Answer 32

Classical conditioning
- involuntary response
- learner is a passive participant

Operant conditioning
- voluntary response
- learner is an active participant

Question 33

Observational learning stages

Answer 33

Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
Reinforcement

Question 34

Observational learning - Attention

Answer 34

Learner pays attention in order to observe modelled behaviour.

Question 35

Observational learning - Retention

Answer 35

Learner mentally represents and retains what has been observed.

Question 36

Observational learning - Reproduction

Answer 36

Depending on their physical capabilities, learner converts the mental representation into action.

Question 37

Observational learning - Motivation

Answer 37

Learner must be motivated to reproduce what has been observed.

Question 38

Observational learning - Reinforcement

Answer 38

Reinforcement influences motivation to perform the observed behaviour.

Question 39

Types of reinforcement

Answer 39

External reinforcement
Vicarious reinforcement
Self-reinforcement

Question 40

External reinforcement

Answer 40

Learning by consequences directly experienced from the model.

Question 41

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 41

Indirectly being reinforced by observing the modelled behaviour without experiencing it.

Question 42

Self-reinforcement

Answer 42

Reinforced by meeting certain standards of performance we set for ourselves.