Principles of Learning and Memory Flashcards
Define learning
a relatively permanent change in behaviour or knowledge occurring as a result of experience
Who came up with the classical conditioning theory?
Pavlov 1902
-learning by association
Describe classical conditioning
1- unconditional response (salivation) to unconditioned stimulus (food)
2-no response to neutral stimulus (bell ringing)
3-unconditioned response (salivation) to neutral stimulus (bell ringing) and unconditioned stimulus (food)
4-conditioned response (salivation) to conditioned stimulus (bell ringing)
Describe the conditioning fear response by watson and raynor 1928
-little albert
-introduced him to lots of different toys (rat,rabbit,monkey)
-liked the rat
-added noise to the rat- boy became scared of the rat
- previously he liked the rat but after the experiment he associated it with loud noise so started to not like it
-maybe explains how people develop irrational fears
Who came up with the operant instrumental conditioning?
skinner 1948
Describe the operant conditioning method
-learning through consequences
-increased behaviours-positive reinforcements + pleasant thing or negative reinforcements - unpleasant thing
-reducing behaviours- positive punishment + unpleasant thing
or negative punishment - pleasant thing
Describe the operant conditioning chamber- skinner
-rat in a box - control and manipulate the rats behaviour
-if rat pressed lever food came out-positive reinforcement
-changed it so if the rat pressed lever it would get a shock - rat learned not to press the lever
What factors affect learning?
-schedule- how often, when
-value of the reinforcer
-state of learner
-what is the conditioning tool
desirability of reward
Who came up with the observational learning ‘bobo doll experiment’ ?
bandura 1961
Describe the observational learning experiment
-learning through others- rather than direct experience
-modelling behaviours
-sometimes occurs without awareness
-dependant on the consequences of the model
-also depends on the prestige of the model
-by extension this includes learning through others giving info
What is avoidance learning?
-learning an active behaviour or response to prevent or avoid an adverse/unpleasant stimulus
-experience pain/fear/anxiety when doing that thing
-so we avoid/ modify doing that thing
Describe the avoidance learning model
1- experience of unpleasant stimulus
2-associating fear with the stimulus
3- conditioned response/ fear to the stimulus
4-behaviour to reduce fear
5-behaviour to avoid unpleasant stimulus
What are pain behaviours?
typically reflexive and not the result of intentional decision making
-this is different from chronic pain which is persistent and repetitive
What are some coping behaviours learnt by association to avoid or reduce pain?
-avoiding activities
-unhelpful behaviours
-increased use of medication
-these maladaptive behaviours are often associated with psychological distress
What is memory?
process- the ability to retain info or representation of past experience
object- specific info or specific experience that is recalled
storage- hypothesised part of the brain where traces of info and past experiences are stored
Who came up with the two process model?
atkinson and shiffrin 1968
What are important aspects of memory?
capacity- miller 1956
duration- 15-30 seconds
Name some influences on memory/ recognition and recall
-we recognise things when we see or hear them again
-we may find it difficult to recall details spontaneously
-we may hear what we expect to hear
-we recall familiar things more easily than new or unfamiliar things
Name some influences of memory/ effective memory
-age
-health literacy
-expectations
-desires for info
-level of arousal
-disease/ treatment consequences
-amount of info provided
-use of medical jargon
Name some influences of memory/ context or state dependent memory
-certain memories may return due to context
-certain memories may return due to the state of the person
- so patients may forget what they were asked to do until they return to hospital
Tips for enhancing memory
-find out what the person knows
-identify their immediate concerns
-raise or reduce arousal
-give key messages first and last
-don’t give to much info at once
-use language they understand
What NOT TO DO for enhancing memory
-don’t expect perfect recall from patients that are unwell
-don’t assume that people who don’t ask, don’t want to know
-don’t assume that all people want to know the same things
How do we aid peoples memory?
-provide written/visual info
-encourage them to bring someone to be present to share later recall
-encourage them to record the interview if permissible so they have a permanent record of what was said
