Psychology of Learning Flashcards
Stage 2 Exams
at is classical conditioning?
- Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired. (When you associate two or more things together and anticipate a particular outcome)
- describes the relationship between the US, CS, UR and CR
What does UCS stand for?
Unconditioned Stimulus - is the stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response
What does CS stand for?
Conditioned Stimulus - is a previously neutral stimulus that now produces a classically conditioned (learned) response
What does NS stand for?
Neutral stimulus -
What does CR stand for?
Conditioned response - is a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus
What is acquisition?
- Process where the organism learns to associate two events
- when the CS alone produces the CR
- it is during conditioning
What is contiguity?
The timing of the stimulus being presented in order for the conditioning to occur
Why is contiguity important?
The time between the NS and the UCS is crucial to get right, otherwise the conditioning will not occur.
what is learning?
- a relatively permanent change in thinking and behaviour
- can be instinctive or through other forms that require interaction of conscious
The principle of classical conditioning can be demonstrated through…
Pavlovs experiment (dog, bell and food)
what is performance?
When the learning has occurred (after acquisition phase) and the NS turns into the CS and the UCS is no longer required for the CR to occur
What 2 phases are contained in classical conditioning?
- Acquisition phase
- Performance Phase
What 2 factors influence the classical conditioning process?
- contiguity
- contingency
What is contiguity?
- Timing of the stimulus being presented in order for the acquisition to occur
- UCS and NS need to be presented close to each other (0.5 seconds)
What is contingency?
- refers to the relationship between stimulus and the the expectation that the UCS will follow the NS
- Occurs after the conditioning has occurred
What 2 concepts of stimulus suggest the conditioned stimulus can be specific or broad?
- stimulus discrimination
- stimulus generalisation
What is stimulus discrimination?
- when a person or animal responds to the CS only, but not any other stimulus that is similar to the CS
- CR does not occur
What does UCR stand for?
Unconditioned response - is a reflex or innate response. It does not require learning or conditioning
What is stimulus generalisation?
- where the CR is elicited on presentation of other similar stimulus other than the CS
the association between the UCS and CS stimuli can undergo?
Extinction
What is extinction?
- when the CR no longer occurs when presented with the CS
- this is due to the CS being presented without the UCS multiple times
what is spontaneous recovery?
occurs after an interval where the CS and the UCS are reintroduced, the CS will elicit the CR
What is prepardness?
Animals and humans alike are biologically predisposed to from associations between the stimulus that threatens our survival or expose us to harm - aids our survival by avoiding stimulus