Theories of Conditioning and Learning Flashcards
What is classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that automatically elicits a reflexive behavior, eventually triggering that behavior on its own.
Why is classical conditioning also called Pavlovian conditioning?
It’s named after Ivan Pavlov, who discovered it through experiments with dogs, where he conditioned them to salivate at the sound of a tuning fork tone.
What did Pavlov observe in his experiments with dogs?
Pavlov noticed that dogs salivated at sounds associated with feeding, such as footsteps. He then conditioned them to salivate to the sound of a tuning fork by pairing it with food.
What is an unconditioned stimulus (US)?
A stimulus that naturally triggers a reflexive response, like food causing salivation.
What is an unconditioned response (UR)?
A natural response to the unconditioned stimulus, like salivation when food is presented.
What is a conditioned response (CR)?
he learned response to the conditioned stimulus, such as salivating in response to the sound of a tuning fork.
What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?
A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response (e.g., a tuning fork tone).
What is acquisition in classical conditioning?
The process of learning the conditioned response through repeated pairings of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus.
What is stimulus generalization?
When a stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus also elicits the conditioned response, like Little Albert fearing rabbits after being conditioned to fear white rats.
What happens during extinction in classical conditioning?
When the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus repeatedly, the conditioned response weakens over time.
What is stimulus discrimination?
The ability to distinguish between similar stimuli and respond differently, like reacting differently to a house cat versus a lion.
What is avoidance learning in classical conditioning?
Learning to avoid a stimulus that is associated with pain or danger, like a dog lifting its foot when it hears a bell that has been paired with a shock.
What is a conditioned emotional response?
An emotional reaction that is learned through classical conditioning, like feeling happy when looking at an object associated with a pleasant memory.
How can classical conditioning lead to phobias?
A phobia can develop when a neutral stimulus is paired with something frightening, like in the Little Albert experiment where a loud noise was paired with a white rat.
How is classical conditioning used in advertising?
Advertisers pair products with positive stimuli (e.g., attractive models) to elicit favorable responses from consumers, encouraging them to buy the products.
How does classical conditioning explain the placebo effect?
A person may feel better after taking a placebo because they’ve been conditioned to associate taking medication (even a fake one) with relief.
How does classical conditioning explain food aversions?
If someone becomes ill after eating a certain food, they may develop an aversion to that food due to the association between the food and the negative experience.
What did John Garcia’s taste aversion research demonstrate?
Garcia showed that rats could develop a taste aversion when they associated the taste of water in plastic bottles with radiation sickness.
What is the significance of classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning shows how a neutral stimulus can be paired with a meaningful one to produce a learned response, affecting physical behaviors, emotional reactions, and daily decisions like food preferences and consumer choices.
Operant Conditioning
A learning process where behavior is influenced by the consequences that follow it. Involves voluntary behaviors and the association with reinforcements or punishments.
Classical vs. Operant Conditioning
- Classical Conditioning: Involves involuntary responses (e.g., salivation) and neutral stimulus association.
- Operant Conditioning: Focuses on voluntary behaviors shaped by consequences (reinforcements or punishments).
Key Experiment: B.F. Skinner’s Skinner Box
Concept: Animals (e.g., rats, pigeons) learn to press levers or peck keys for food. The frequency of behaviors was recorded based on reinforcement schedules.
Key Experiment: Edward Thorndike’s Law of Effect
- Concept: Behaviors followed by positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by negative outcomes are less likely to recur.
- Experiment: Hungry cat in a puzzle box pressing a pedal for food.
Components of Operant Conditioning:
- Antecedent (Stimulus): A signal that prompts behavior.
- Behavior (Response): The action taken by the subject.
- Consequence: The outcome of the behavior (reinforcement or punishment).
Term: Reinforcement
Definition: Increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
- Positive Reinforcement: Adding something desirable (e.g., giving a dog a treat).
- Negative Reinforcement: Removing something unpleasant (e.g., ending grounding after completing homework).
Term: Punishment
Definition: Decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
- Positive Punishment: Adding an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., scolding).
- Negative Punishment: Removing a desired stimulus (e.g., taking away video games).
Concept: Shaping
Definition: Reinforcing behaviors that are closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior. Example: training a dolphin to jump higher by rewarding progressively higher jumps.
Reinforcement Schedules:
- Continuous Reinforcement: Rewarding every correct response (effective when teaching new behavior).
- Partial Reinforcement: Rewarding only some correct responses (more resistant to extinction).
Types of Partial Reinforcement:
- Fixed Interval: Reinforcement after a set amount of time (e.g., paycheck every two weeks).
- Variable Interval: Reinforcement after varying amounts of time (e.g., checking for messages).
- Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement after a set number of responses (e.g., free coffee after 5 purchases).
- Variable Ratio: Reinforcement after a random number of responses (e.g., slot machines).
Term: Primary vs. Secondary Reinforcers
Primary Reinforcers: Naturally satisfying (e.g., food, water).
Secondary Reinforcers: Learned value (e.g., money, praise).
Term: Token Economy
Definition: A system where individuals earn tokens (secondary reinforcers) for desired behaviors that can be exchanged for primary reinforcers (e.g., candy, privileges).
Applications of Operant Conditioning:
- Parenting: Using rewards for good behavior and time-outs for misbehavior.
- Education: Using grades or praise to encourage learning.
- Animal Training: Treats or commands for obedience.
- Workplace: Offering bonuses or recognition for performance.
Term: Behavior Modification (ABA)
Definition: Applying operant conditioning techniques to encourage positive behavior changes, commonly used in therapy and education for behavior improvement.
Concept: Immediate vs. Delayed Reinforcement
Definition: Immediate reinforcement strengthens the connection between behavior and outcome, while delayed reinforcement is less effective for associating behaviors with consequences.
Strategy Used: Negative Punishment
Explanation: Emily is removed from interacting with others (time-out), which reduces her hitting behavior by taking away social interaction.
Strategy Used: Positive Reinforcement
Explanation: Augie receives a ticket for using the toilet, encouraging him to repeat the behavior by rewarding him with tickets for prizes.
Strategy Used: Negative Reinforcement
Explanation: Lizzy is moved to a quiet area, removing the overstimulating environment, which increases the chances of her calming down.
Strategy Used: Continuous Reinforcement
Explanation: Tim gives Geekers a treat every time he stays indoors, reinforcing the desired behavior with immediate rewards.
Strategy Used: Delayed Reinforcement
Explanation: Karla rewards Pace with a treat every three minutes during walks, reinforcing his behavior on a time-based schedule.
Strategy Used: Positive Punishment
Explanation: Bobby receives checkmarks for resisting food, which results in a note home as punishment, discouraging the behavior.
Strategy Used: Shaping
Explanation: Ben rewards Sofie for each small step on the seesaw, gradually shaping her behavior to complete the entire task.
Strategy Used: Scheduled Reinforcement
Explanation: Lyra reinforces the puppies’ elimination outdoors by taking them out at regular intervals and giving them treats.
Reinforcements increase behaviors:
1.Positive Reinforcement: Adds a desirable stimulus (e.g., giving treats).
2. Negative Reinforcement: Removes an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., removing overstimulation).
Punishments decrease behaviors:
Positive Punishment: Adds an unpleasant stimulus (e.g., assigning checkmarks).
Negative Punishment: Removes a desired stimulus (e.g., taking away interaction time).
Shaping:
Gradually teaching complex behaviors by reinforcing successive steps toward the desired behavior.
