Study unit 3.2 Learning

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

Any relatively durable change in behavior or knowledge that is due to experience

Question 2

Conditioning

Answer 2

Learning associations between events that occur in an organism’s environment

Question 3

Classical/Pavlovian conditioning

Answer 3

Type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus

Question 4

Unconditioned stimulus

Answer 4

Evokes an unconditioned response without previous conditioning

Question 5

Unconditioned response

Answer 5

Unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus that occurs without previous conditioning, it is a natural, unlearned association.

Question 6

Conditioned stimulus

Answer 6

A previously neutral stimulus that has, through conditioning, acquired the capacity to evoke a conditioned response

Question 7

Conditioned response

Answer 7

A learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus that occurs because of previous conditioning.

Question 8

Classical conditioned responses

Answer 8

Said to be elicited (drawn forth) because most are relatively automatic/involuntary

Question 9

Trial

Answer 9

Any presentation of a stimulus or pair of stimuli

Question 10

Evaluative conditioning

Answer 10

Influences people’s attitudes. Changes in the liking of a stimulus that result from pairing that stimulus with other positive or negative stimuli.

Question 11

Acquisition (CC)

Answer 11

The initial stage of learning a new response tendency. Depends on continguity (theorized by Pavlov), continguous if occur together in time and space, however doesn’t alone automatically produce conditioning (bombareded with stimuli). Stimuli that are novel, larger or especially intense have more potential of becoming CS - more salient (stand out).

Question 12

Extinction (CC)

Answer 12

Gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response tendency. Consistent presentation of conditioned stimulus alone, without unconditioned stimulus.

Question 13

Spontaneous Recovery (CC)

Answer 13

The reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of nonexposure to the conditioned stimulus.

Question 14

Renewal effect (CC)

Answer 14

If a response is extinguished in a different environment than it was acquired, the extinguished response will reappear if the animal is returned to the original environment where acquisition took place.

Extinction suppresses a conditioned response, rather than erasing a learned association - does not appear to unlearning.

Question 15

Stimulus generalization (CC)

Answer 15

When an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus responds in the same way to new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus

Anxiety - overgeneralization - broader generalization gradients

Question 16

John B. Watson

Answer 16

Founder of behaviorism. Little Albert

Question 17

Law of generalization (CC)

Answer 17

The more similar new stimuli are to the original CS, the greater the likelihood

Question 18

Stimulus discrimination (CC)

Answer 18

When an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus does not respond in the same way to new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus.

Have to have adequate experience with both.

Requires that the original CS continues to be paired with the US, while similar stimuli are not paired with the US

Question 19

Law of discrimination (CC)

Answer 19

The less similar new stimuli are to the original CS, the greater the likelihood

Question 20

Higher-order conditioning

Answer 20

A conditioned stimulus functions as if it were an unconditioned stimulus.

CC does not depend on the presence of a genuine, natural US, an already established CS will work.

New conditioned responses are build on the foundation of already established condition responses.

Question 21

Operant conditioning

Answer 21

Form of learning in which voluntary responses come to be controlled by their consequences

Question 22

Reinforcement

Answer 22

When an event following a response increases an organism’s tendency to make that response

A response is strengthened because it leads to rewarding consequences

Question 23

Skinner box

Answer 23

A small enclosure in which an animal can make a specific response that is systematically recorded while the consequences of the response are controlled.

Permits the experimenter to control the reinforcement contingencies

Question 24

Reinforcement contingencies

Answer 24

The circumstances or rules that determine whether responses lead to the presentation of reinforcers.

Manipulates whether positive consequences occur when the animal makes the designated response.

Question 25

Cumulative recorder

Answer 25

Creates a graphic record of responding and reinforcement in a Skinner box as a function of time. A roll of paper that moves at a steady rate underneath a moveable pen. No responding, the pen stays still and draws a straight horizontal line, reflecting the passage of time. When response occurs, pen moves up a notch. Slash marks to record the delivery of each reinforcer. Horizontal axis - passage of time Vertical axis - accumulation of responses

Question 26

Shaping (OP)

Answer 26

Reinforcement of closer and closer approximations of a desired response. When an organism does not, on its own, emit the desired response

Question 27

Extinction (OP)

Answer 27

No longer followed by reinforcement

Question 28

Resistance to extinction

Answer 28

When an organism continues to make a response after delivery of the reinforcer for it has been terminated The greater, the longer responding will continue Response tapers of slowly = high Response tapers of quickly = little

Question 29

Renewal effect (OP)

Answer 29

Skinner box different contexts (scents, floors, walls and ceilings) If acquistion of response occured in one context and subsequent extinction in another context, responding recovered when returned to original context or placed in a new, neutral context

Question 30

Discriminative stimuli

Answer 30

Cues that influence operant behavior by indicating the probable consequences (reinforcement/nonreinforcement) of a response. Regulation of operant behavior.

Question 31

Reinforcement

Answer 31

Defined after the fact, in terms of its effect on behavior.

Question 32

Primary reinforcers

Answer 32

Events that are inherently reinforcing because they satisfy biological needs

Question 33

Second (conditioned) reinforcers

Answer 33

Events that acquire reinforcing qualities by being associated with primary reinforcers. Vary among members of species - depend on learning

Question 34

Schedule of reinforcement

Answer 34

A specific pattern of presentation of reinforcers over time.

Question 35

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 35

Every instance of a designated response is reinforced

Question 36

Intermittent reinforcement

Answer 36

When a designated response is reinforced only some of the time Makes a response more resistant to extinction

Question 37

Fixed-ratio (FR) schedule

Answer 37

The reinforcer is given after a fixed number of nonreinforced responses (e.g. every tenth lever press/salesperson receives a bonus for every 4th gym membership sold)

Question 38

Variable-ratio (VR) schedule

Answer 38

The reinforcer is given after a variable number of nonreinforced responses, varies around a predetermined average (e.g. reinforced for every 10th lever press on the average/slot machine pays off once every six tries on the average - varies from one time to the next)

Question 39

Interval schedules

Answer 39

Requires a time period to pass between the presentation of reinforcers

Question 40

Fixed-interval (FI) schedule

Answer 40

The reinforcer is given for the first response that occurs after a fixed time intervak has elapsed (e.g. reinforced for 1st lever press after a 2-minute interval and has to wait another 2 minutes before being able to earn the next reinforcement) A pause in responding occurs after each reinforcer is delivered, and then responding gradually increases to a rapid rate at the end of the interval - "scalloping" response curve

Question 41

Variable-interval (VI) schedule

Answer 41

The reinforcer is given for the first response after a variable time interval has elapsed. Interval length varies around a predetermined average (e.g. reinforced for 1st lever press after a 1-minute interval has elapsed, the following intervals are 3 min, 2 min, 4 min, with an average length of 2-minutes)

Question 42

Ratio schedules vs Variable schedules

Answer 42

RS: More rapid responding - faster resonding leads to quicker reinforcement VS: Steadier response rates + greater resistance to extinction

Question 43

Positive reinforcement

Answer 43

When a response is strengthened because it's followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus

Question 44

Negative reinforcement

Answer 44

When a response is strengthened because it's followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimulus

Question 45

Escape learning

Answer 45

An organism acquires a response that decreases or ends some unpleasant stimulation

Question 46

Shuttle box

Answer 46

Used in escape learning. Has two compartments connected by a doorway, which can be opened and closed by the experimenter, with a shock in the floor.

Question 47

Avoidance learning

Answer 47

An organism acquires a response that prevents some unpleasant stimulation from occurring. Give a signal that a shock is forthcoming. CC + OC can work together to regulate behavior. Warning light - becomes CS (through CC) eliciting reflexive, conditioned fear Fleeing - OB - strengthened by negative reinforcement because it reduces conditioned fear

Question 48

Punishment

Answer 48

An event following a response weakens the tendency to make that response Presentation of an unpleasant stimulus/removal of rewarding stimulus

Question 49

Observational learning

Answer 49

When an organism's responding is influenced by the observation of others, who are called models. Being conditioned indirectly by virtue of observing another's conditioning.

Question 50

Albert Bandura

Answer 50

Observed the process of observational learning extensively. He does not see observational learning as entirely separate from classical and operant conditioning. It greatly extends the reach of these processes. Both classical and operant conditioning can take place vigorously through observational learning.

Question 51

Attention (OL - process)

Answer 51

To another person's behavior and its consequences

Question 52

Retention (OL - process)

Answer 52

Store mental representation of what was witnessed

Question 53

Reproduction (OL - process)

Answer 53

Enacting a modeled response depends on the ability to reproduce the response by converting stored mental images into overt behavior.

Question 54

Motivation (OL - process)

Answer 54

Depends on whether you encounter a situation in which you believe the response is likely to pay off