models to explain learning Flashcards
what is learning?
A relatively permanent change in behaviour or knowledge that occurs as a result of experience.
what is classical conditioning?
A simple form of learning which occurs through repeated association of two different stimuli to produce a naturally occurring response
In classical conditions, the learner is passive.
what is a:
stimulis
response
association
Stimulus: any event producing a response from an organism
Response: reaction or behaviour in response to stimulus.
Association: pairing or linking one stimulus with another stimulus
4 key elements of classical conditioning
- Unconditioned Response (UCR)
Automatic, involuntary response to a UCS (eg. salivation) - Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
Any stimulus that causes a UCR (eg. food)
A UCS will cause a UCR - Conditioned Stimulus
Any ns associated with UCS, so it eventually produces a CR when presented alone - Conditioned Response
Learned response, identical in kind to UCR but produced by CS in absence of UCS
3 phases of classical conditioning
examples about pavlovs dog
Before
Neutral stimulus of bell triggered no response
UCS of food triggers UCR of salivation
During
Repeatedly present bell and food together producing the unconditioned response of salivation
Eventually, dogs salivate in absence of the food as they learned to associate the 2 stimuli (bell and food)’
After
Bell = conditioned stimulus
Salivation = conditioned response
what is a conditioned reflex
Learning automatic responses to conditioned stimulus which normally does not cause that response.
what is a conditioned emotional response
An emotional reaction when the Autonomic Nervous System produces a reaction to stimuli that would not normally trigger that response.
what is a phobia
intense irrational feelings of dread or fear towardds objects or situations
what is vicarious conditioning
classical conditioning through observation, reading or hearing
what is an operant
any response that acts on environment to produce some kind of consequence
what is operant conditioning
Operant conditioning is a type of learning where the likelihood of behaviour is recurring is determined by the consequences of that behaviour.
Can be:
Behaviour followed by desirable outcome causing the behaviour is more likely to be repeated (reinforcement)
Behaviour followed by undesirable outcome causing the behaviour to be less likely to be repeated.
3 ways behaviour can be explained
Its antecedents (what happens just before it)
The behaviour (what happens due to the antecedent)
And consequences (what happens just after it)
components of the 3 phase model of operant conditioning
Discriminative stimulus (antecedent): precedes operant response
Operant response: behaviour to the stimulus
Consequence: to operant response
what does the model of operant condioning mean
Antecedent (discriminative stimulus) makes conditions for right behaviour to follow and predicts likely outcome of behaviour.
The probability of an operant response to stimuli depends on the consequence that followed the behaviour in the past
Dopamine is released in anticipation of reward. The antecedent or discriminatory stimulus cues the release of dopamine.
reinforcement in operant conditioning
Any stimulus that strengthens, increases the frequency, or increases the likelihood of a behaviour that follows.
This can be by adding a pleasant stimulus or removing an unpleasant stimulus
Reinforcer: actual stimuli or event. NOT A REWARD
Reinforcement in operant conditioning refers to consequences of response
types of reinforcement in OC
Positive reinforcement: stimuli that strengthens or increases the frequency or likelihood of a response by providing a pleasant or satisfying consequence.
Stimuli cannot be called reinforcers unless it increases the likelihood of response occurring.
Negative reinforcement: any unpleasant stimuli that when reduced, removed or prevented strengthens or increases the frequency of a desired response
punishment in OC
Designed to stop an undesirable behaviour or weaken it (make it less desirable) by responding with negative/unpleasant consequences or removal of pleasant consequences, this decreases the likelihood of the response being repeated.
Punisher: an unpleasant stimulus, weakens or decreases the likelihood of response being repeated over time.
types of punishment in OC
Positive punishment: adding an unpleasant stimulus eg. being yelled at angrily
Negative punishment (response cost): removal of a pleasant/valued stimulus eg. phone taken off you
factors that influence the effectiveness of reinforcement and punishment
The reinforcer or punishment must be after a desired response, never before this is important so you can learn consequences.
Timing. Most effective immediately after the behaviour so that an association between the response and reinforcer can be learnt. The more delay between response and reinforcer causes the learning to be slower
Appropriateness. The consequence must have a satisfying effect. A reinforcer for one organism may not be for another. The punishment must promote desirable behaviour.
5 elements of observational learning
attention
retention
reporoduction
motivation
reinforcement
attention as an element of observational learning
Need to pay attention to models behaviours to recognise distinctive features
Have to avoid distractions. You actively/selectively focus on the model
Attention is dependent on motivation, interest, situation, distractors present, characteristics of the model and how important we think behaviour is
retention as an element of observational learning
Must form memories of events we observe so can be later reproduces
Learnt behaviours must be stored in memory as a mental representation
Helps if it is more meaningful
re production as an element of observational learning
Doing the behaviour at a later time. Learners must rehearse the behaviour they have observed and practice.
motivation as an element of observational learning
Must have incentive for behaviour to occur. If behaviour has no incentive to learn there will be no motivation to learn it in the first place.
