Theories And Principles Of Learning And Behavior Flashcards
Classical Conditioning
Generally, learning is based on pairing
Operant Conditioning
Generally, learning is based on rewards and punishment
Social Learning Theory
Generally, learning is based on observation and imitation
Unconditioned Reflex
Involves an unconditioned stimulus (US) that evokes an unconditioned response (UR).
Inborn, require no learning, and are generally the same for all members of a species.
Conditioned Reflex
Involves a conditioned stimulus (US) and a conditioned response (CR).
Generally varies significantly among members of a species.
Unconditioned Stimulus vs. Conditioned Stimulus
Unconditioned = Is the response universal? Conditioned = Does the response vary?
Delay Conditioning (standard pairing)
Conditioned stimulus (CS) precedes the unconditioned stimulus (US) by a short interval and overlaps presentation of the US.
Ex: Bell rings (CS) before meat power (US). The US is dependent/contingent on presentation of CS.
Trace Conditioning
Conditioned stimulus (CS) precedes the unconditioned stimulus (US) by a period and stops right before the US.
Ex: Can opener sound prior to being fed. Over time, dog will salivate (CR) when it hears the can opener (CS). The US is dependent/contingent on presentation of CS.
Temporal Conditioning
Occurs when an unconditioned stimulus (US) is presented repeatedly at a constant time interval, and eventually, time itself acts as the conditioned stimulus (CS).
Ex: Animals feed at noon each day. Animals will eventually anticipate the feeding. Time is the CS, and animal Bx is the CR.
Simultaneous Conditioning
The neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus (US) overlap.
Ex: A bell (NS) is sounded at exactly the same time the meat powder (US) is presented. No actual learning takes place.
Backward Conditioning
Unconditioned stimulus (US) precedes neutral stimulus (NS).
Ex: meat powder (US) is presented and then bell (NS) follows. No actual learning takes place.
Conditioning
Only occurs when the CS is presented before the US.
NOT simultaneously or preceding
Stimulus Generalization
When a subject generalizes (automatically) from a conditioned stimulus (CS) to other similar neutral stimuli.
Ex: Little Albert classically conditioned to be afraid of white rat (neutral) when paired with a loud noise (US). He generalized this conditioned response to other small white furry objects.
Higher Order Conditioning
Deliberate process of ordered conditioning (second and third level).
It is impossible to condition beyond the third level.
Classical Extinction
Process of unlearning a conditioned response (CS) by presenting conditioned stimulus (CS) without unconditioned stimulus (US)
Ex: If Little Albert was repeatedly shown the white rabbit (CS) without the loud noise (US) - his fear response (CR) would eventually stop.
Spontaneous Recovery
During extinction trials, the conditioned response (CR) to the conditioned stimulus (CS) may reappear
Pesudoconditioning
Occurs accidentally. A neutral stimulus that was not deliberately paired with either the unconditioned stimulus (US) or conditioned stimulus (CS) comes to elicit the conditioned response (CR).
Habituation
Process of becoming accustomed to and less responsive to an unconditioned stimulus (US) after repeated exposure.
Ex: When someone gets used to a noise of a passing train after moving into a new apartment.
Thorndike’s Law of Effect
Behaviors are initially emitted in random, trial and error fashion. Those random behaviors that are followed by pleasurable consequences (rewards) become stronger and more frequent, whereas those behaviors that follow unpleasant consequences (punishers) become weaker and less frequent.
Reinforcement
Always increases the target behavior. It brings the subject into a more desirable state.
Punishment
Always decreases the target behavior. It brings the subject into a less desirable state.