Psychology - Learning Flashcards
What is Habituation
Habituation is when you learn not to respond to a stimulus.
It occurs when the stimuli is common in the environment and when the individual benefits from being able to remain at a lower state of arousal while still being responsive to uncommon stimuli
What is classical conditioning?
operate by repeatedly pairing stimuli together so that an association is learned
How does classical conditioning work/ what is the process?
Unconditioned stimuli (UCS) > Unconditioned response (UCR) Conditioned stimuli (CS) > Conditioned response (CR)
example:
UCS: Nipple in mouth > UCR: sucking
CS: Smell of breast. > CR: sucking
What is the acquisition in classical conditioning?
The period when the behaviour is being learned
What is extinction in classical conditioning?
Extinction is when the CS no longer produces the CR
- normally occurs when the two aren’t paired together for a longer period of time
What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?
Spontaneous conditioning is when the CS produces the CR after previously being extinct
What is stimulus generalisations?
Stimulus generalisation is when stimuli that is similar to the CS also produce the CR
What is stimulus discrimination in classical conditioning?
Stimulus generalisation is when stimuli that is similar to the CS but not identical do not produce the CR
What is contiguity?
Contiguity is when the introduction of the US and CS are close together in time/ space
What is contingency?
Contingency is when the introduction of the CS and US are perceived to be in response to each other
What is operant conditioning?
Operant conditioning establishes that humans will change their behaviour in response to reinforcements and punishments
How does operant conditioning work?
- The operant behaviour must be identified (behaviour to be changed)
- Every time operant behaviour is performed they are reinforced or punished with a stimulus (operant response)
What is a positive reinforcement/ punishment
A positive reinforcement/ punishment adds something to the status quo
Eg. Getting $5 for doing homework
What is a negative reinforcement/ punishment
A negative reinforcement/ punishment removes something from the status quo
Eg. Not having to wash the dishes for getting good grades
What is a primary reinforcers in operant conditioning?
A primary reinforcer is based on biological needs. Eg. food, sex, drink, avoiding pain (same across all cultures)
What is a secondary reinforcer?
A secondary reinforcer is based on association or psychological needs. Eg. money, praise, grades etc.
What is continuous reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Continuous reinforcement is when an individual is reinforced/punished every time the operant behaviour is performed
What is intermittent reinforcement?
Intermittent reinforcement is when the individual is reinforced on a less consistent/frequent basis.
What is fixed ratio reinforcement?
Fixed ratio reinforcement is when the individual is reinforced/punished for every X times they perform the behaviour. X = a number of 2 or more.
Example: Steve gets paid $1 for every 50 newspapers he delivers
What is variable ratio reinforcement?
Variable ratio reinforcement is when the individual is reinforced/punish for every Y times they perform the behaviour. Where Y is a random number.
Example: Susan is playing a videogame. Every time she completes a match she has a 20% chance of receiving an in game reward. Sometimes she gets a reward every time she completes a match, once she didn’t get one for 9 matches.
What is fixed interval reinforcement?
Fixed interval reinforcement is when the individual is reinforced/punished for every X amount of time provided they perform the behaviour.
Susan get paid $15 every hour she spends at work
What is variable interval reinforcement?
Variable interval reinforcement is when the individual is reinforced/punished for every Y amount of times, provided they perform the behaviour. Y = random value.
If Steve keeps his room clean, every now and again his mum will give him $5.
What is shaping? (type of operant conditioning)
Shaping works by implementing multiple stages of operant conditioning that progressively lead to target operant behaviour
It is used when operant behaviours do not occur frequently
What is biological preparedness
Biological preparedness means that some people are more inclined to forming associations between behaviour and response
What is observational learning
Observational learning is when people learn by observing others
What are the steps of observational learning?
- attention: learner observes behaviour
- retention: learner retains behaviour and how to do it
- reproduction: leaner reproduces/ trys the behaviour
- Reinforcement: a reinforcement increases (or decreases) likelihood of behaviour being reproduced/
What is vicarious learning?
Vicarious learning is like observational learning, except the learner observes the model perform the behaviour and then receive a reinforcement.
What can impact observational learning?
Authority: likely to reproduce behaviour modelled by authority figure
Status: likely to reproduce behaviour modelled by those we respect/ find attractive
Similarly: reproduce behaviour by those we think are similar
Confidence: reproduce behaviour if we are confident in our ability
Ambiguity: reproduce behaviour when situation is unclear/ unfamiliar
What are some application issues with observational learning?
- it might be hard to access models
- authority/status figures must be conscious of the behaviour they model
How is learning theory beneficial
It can discourage maladaptive behaviours like nail biting, aggressive responses, phobias and substance abuse
What is aversion therapy?
Aversion therapy is when classical/ operant conditioning is used to discourage a maladaptive behaviour by pairing it with an unpleasant stimulus
What is behaviour modification?
Behaviour modification involves using learning theory is change behaviours. E.g. When child is given rewards whenever they behave well in class to stop them acting out
What are some ethical issues in learning theory?
Learned helplessness involves exposing an individual outcomes they perceive uncontrollable
can result in:
cognitive deficit (believe outcome uncontrollable), motivation deficit (reduced desire to control outcomes), emotional deficit (fear of outcome)
What is Rote and Motor learning?
Route learning involves being able to reproduce a sequence of words that have been studied. Eg. actors learning their lines
Motor learning involves acquiring a complex skill, like driving a car.
