Models to explain learning (U3 AOS 2)

Question 1

What is reinforcement?

Answer 1

Any event that increases the likelihood that a response or such behaviour will occur again

Question 2

What type of response does classical conditioning depend on?

Answer 2

A reflex response.
A reflex is an involuntary stimulus response that is innate

Question 3

What are the 3 phases of classical conditioning with explanation of the processes in each.

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What are the 4 principles that influence classical conditioning and operant conditioning?

Answer 4

1. Extinction
2. Spontaneous recovery
3. Stimulus generalisation
4. Stimulus discrimination

Question 5

What is extinction with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What is spontaneous recovery with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)

Answer 6

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.

Question 6

What is spontaneous recovery with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What is stimulus generalisation with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

What is stimulus discrimination with an example of Pavlov’s dog. (CC)

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What was the NS, UCS, UCR, CS and CR in little Albert’s experiment?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What were the ethical implications in the ‘Little Albert’ experiment?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

What are the 3 phases in operant conditioning with a brief explanation of each.

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 12

A stimulus that strengthens a response by providing a pleasant consequence

Question 13

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 13

A stimulus that strengthens a response by removing/preventing an unpleasant stimulus

Question 14

What is negative punishment?

Answer 14

Removal/loss of a stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a response occurring again.

Question 15

What is a response cost?

Answer 15

Removal of any valued stimulus, whether or not it causes the behaviour. There is a ‘cost’ for making a ‘response’.

Question 16

What is positive punishment?

Answer 16

Given an unpleasant stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a response occurring again.

Question 17

What is extinction with an example. (OC)

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is spontaneous recovery with an example. (OC)

Answer 18

The reappearance of a previously reinforced response after a period of apparent extinction

E.g, dog sits again when asked, after extinction has occurred

Question 19

What is stimulus generalisation with an example. (OC)

Answer 19

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..

Question 20

What is stimulus discrimination with an example. (OC)

Answer 20

Ability to differentiate between stimuli similar to the stimuli that signal reinforcement and non-reinforcement

E.g, dog only sits when it hears ‘sit’.

Question 21

What is the role of the learner in CC and OC respectively with brief explanations of each.

Answer 21

(CC) Passive:
Learner does not act on the environment

(OC) Active:
Learner must operate on the environment

Question 22

What is the timing of the stimulus and response in CC and OC respectively.

Answer 22

(CC)
UCS must be presented before the UCR can be elicited

(OC)
Response comes before the stimulus (reinforcement) or after the discriminative stimulus

Question 23

What is the nature of the response in CC and OC respectively

Answer 23

Involuntary and voluntary

Question 24

What is the acquisition in CC and OC.

Answer 24

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

Question 24

What are the 5 key processes necessary for observational learning?

Answer 24

Learner plays an active role in observational learning.

1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Motivation
5. Reinforcement

Question 25

What is attention in observational learning?

Answer 25

Where a learner:

• Pays attention to the model
• Perceive the model as interesting

Question 26

What is retention in observational learning?

Answer 26

Where a learner must:

• Remember what was done by the model so that the
  information can be encoded and stored in their memory

Question 27

What is reproduction in observational learning?

Answer 27

Where a learner must:

• Be able to reproduce the modelled behaviour
• Must have the psychological and physical capacity to
  demonstrate the modelled behaviour

Question 28

What is motivation in observational learning?

Answer 28

Where a learner must:

• Have the motivation to repeat the observed behaviour

Question 29

What is reinforcement in observational learning?

Answer 29

Where a learner must:

• Perceive some form of reward for repeating the
  observed behaviour
• Normal reinforcement determined if it will be repeated
  thereafter