Models to explain learning (U3 AOS 2) Flashcards
What is reinforcement?
Any event that increases the likelihood that a response or such behaviour will occur again
What type of response does classical conditioning depend on?
A reflex response.
A reflex is an involuntary stimulus response that is innate
What are the 3 phases of classical conditioning with explanation of the processes in each.
Before conditioning:
- There is a neutral stimulus that causes no response (NS)
- There is an UCS that results in an UCR
During conditioning:
- The NS is repeatedly paired with the UCS to produce the UCR
After conditioning:
- NS becomes a CS
- CS produces a CR
What are the 4 principles that influence classical conditioning and operant conditioning?
- Extinction
- Spontaneous recovery
- Stimulus generalisation
- Stimulus discrimination
What is extinction with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)
The gradual decrease in strength of a response that has been conditioned when the UCS is no longer present.
E.g, If overtime the UCS (food) was not linked with the bell (CS), the dog would gradually salivate less until it no longer does in response to the CS. CS then reverts back to NS.
What is spontaneous recovery with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)
Extinction has occurred and a rest period takes place. The CS is reintroduced and the CR appears again but is weaker than when first conditioned.
E.g, if Pavlov assumed extinction has occurred and one day the bell was rung in the presence of the dog without the (without the UCS), and it started salivating, can say spontaneous recovery has occurred.
What is spontaneous recovery with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)
Extinction has occurred and a rest period takes place. The CS is reintroduced and the CR appears again but is weaker than when first conditioned.
E.g, if Pavlov assumed extinction has occurred and one day the bell was rung in the presence of the dog without the (without the UCS), and it started salivating, can say spontaneous recovery has occurred.
What is stimulus generalisation with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)
Occurs when a stimulus, similar to the CS, triggers a CR.
Stimulus generalisation can only occur when we know for sure that the organism has already been conditioned.
E.g, in Pavlov’s experiment, if the dog salivated to a bell, chime, siren, etc.. we can say stimulus generalisation has occured.
What is stimulus discrimination with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)
Occurs when the organism only produces a CR to the CS and no other stimuli that is similar to the CS.
E.g, Pavlov’s dog was conditioned to a particular bell (CS). If Pavlov rang other bells that sounded similar to the CS and the dog did not salivate, can assume stimulus discrimination has occurred.
What was the NS, UCS, UCR, CS and CR in little Albert’s experiment?
NS: white rat
UCS: loud noise
UCR: fear, crying in response to the loud noise
NS gets paired with UCS repeatedly to create a CS
CS: white rat
CR: fear, crying in response to white rat
There was also stimulus generalisation of white rabbits, furry dogs, fur coats and Santa’s beard
What were the ethical implications in the ‘Little Albert’ experiment?
- Informed consent: She was not informed that Watson
would be creating a fear response in her son. - Withdrawal rights: No records about participant
withdrawal rights - Confidentiality: Watson published results of his study
with Albert’s name - Debriefing: Watson did not debrief Albert or mother, thus
fear response was never extinguished. Thus, can be
assumed Albert suffered lasting psychological harm from
the experiment
What are the 3 phases in operant conditioning with a brief explanation of each.
Antecedent: the stimulus that precedes a specific behaviour
Behaviour: the voluntary response to the antecedent
Consequences: the event that occurs after the behaviour and determines whether the behaviour is likely to continue
What is positive reinforcement?
A stimulus that strengthens a response by providing a pleasant consequence
What is negative reinforcement?
A stimulus that strengthens a response by removing/preventing an unpleasant stimulus
What is negative punishment?
Removal/loss of a stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a response occurring again.
What is a response cost?
Removal of any valued stimulus, whether or not it causes the behaviour. There is a ‘cost’ for making a ‘response’.
What is positive punishment?
Given an unpleasant stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a response occurring again.
What is extinction with an example. (OC)
When the learnt response gradually decreases in strength after reinforcement stops
E.g, a dog no longer sits when asked after constantly not being given a treat
What is spontaneous recovery with an example. (OC)
The reappearance of a previously reinforced response after a period of apparent extinction
E.g, dog sits again when asked, after extinction has occurred
What is stimulus generalisation with an example. (OC)
Tendency to respond in the same way to a stimulus similar to the stimulus that precedes operant reinforcement.
E.g, dog is taught the word ‘sit’ to sit down but also sits down to the words ‘fit’, ‘hit’, etc..
What is stimulus discrimination with an example. (OC)
Ability to differentiate between stimuli similar to the stimuli that signal reinforcement and non-reinforcement
E.g, dog only sits when it hears ‘sit’.
What is the role of the learner in CC and OC respectively with brief explanations of each.
(CC) Passive:
Learner does not act on the environment
(OC) Active:
Learner must operate on the environment
What is the timing of the stimulus and response in CC and OC respectively.
(CC)
UCS must be presented before the UCR can be elicited
(OC)
Response comes before the stimulus (reinforcement) or after the discriminative stimulus
What is the nature of the response in CC and OC respectively
Involuntary and voluntary
What is the acquisition in CC and OC.
CC:
Learning process where the NS is paired multiple times with the UCS to produce the UCR
OC:
Learning process where the stimulus is paired with reinforcement
What are the 5 key processes necessary for observational learning?
Learner plays an active role in observational learning.
- Attention
- Retention
- Reproduction
- Motivation
- Reinforcement
What is attention in observational learning?
Where a learner:
- Pays attention to the model
- Perceive the model as interesting
What is retention in observational learning?
Where a learner must:
- Remember what was done by the model so that the
information can be encoded and stored in their memory
What is reproduction in observational learning?
Where a learner must:
- Be able to reproduce the modelled behaviour
- Must have the psychological and physical capacity to
demonstrate the modelled behaviour
What is motivation in observational learning?
Where a learner must:
- Have the motivation to repeat the observed behaviour
What is reinforcement in observational learning?
Where a learner must:
- Perceive some form of reward for repeating the
observed behaviour - Normal reinforcement determined if it will be repeated
thereafter
