Unit 6: Learning Flashcards
Stimulus
Anything that elicits a response
Response
A reaction to a stimulus
Unconditioned stimulus
A stimulus that automatically elicits a response, as meat causes salvation
Unconditioned response
An automatic response to a particular natural stimulus, as salivation to meat
Conditioned stimulus
A previous neutral stimulus that has been associated w a natural (or unconditioned) stimulus
Conditioned response
A response to the stimulus that is brought about by learning
Ex: salivating at the word pickle
John Watson
Suggested that at the human level, “deep emotions” are also just result of association and learning
Little albert
11 month Little Albert exper. By john watson
Stimulus generalization
Process in which a response spreads from one specific stimulus to other stimuli that resemble the original
Extinction
Gradual loss of an association over time
Spontaneous recovery
The sudden reappearance of an extinguished response
Classical conditioning
Ivan pavlov’s method of conditioning, in which associations are made between a natural stimulus and a learned, neutral stimulus
Spontaneous recovery
The sudden reappearance of an extinguished response
Operant conditioning
Learning that takes place when a spontaneous behavior is reinforced or punished
(B.F Skinner)
Reinforcement
Something that follows a response and STRENGTHENS the tendency to repeat response
Primary reinforcement
Something necessary for psychological or physical survival that is used as reward
Secondary reinforcement
Anything that comes to represent a primary reinforcer, such as $$$
Positive reinforcement
Reinforcement that involves strengthening the tendency to repeat a response by following it w the addition of something pleasant
Negative reinforcement
Reinforcement that involves strengthening a response by following it w the removal of something unpleasant
Punishment
Process of weakening a response by following it with unpleasant consequences (weaken behavior)
Shaping
Process of gradually refining a response by successively reinforcing closer approximations of it
Ex: dog learning to go thru hoop.,first going near hoop..stepping thru
Chaining
Reinforcing the connection between the parts of a sequence
Ex: learning a specific type of dance
Learning diff parts then linking all parts for final product
Generalization
A behavior that spreads from one solution to a similar one
Discrimination
Learning to tell the difference between one event or object and another; reverse of generalization
Extinction
When a response of generalization is no longer followed by reinforcement a person will gradually stop making that response
Schedules of reinforcement
2 diff methods of reinforcing during operant cond.
Continuous & partial
Continuous reinforcement
Reinforcement given each time a behavior occurs
Partial reinforcement
Reinforcement not given each time an act is performed
4 schedules
First word fixed (set in stone) Variable (changes) Second word Ratio (# of times) Interval (time)
Variable ratio
Reinforcement is given after a variable # of behaviors
Ex: slot machine in Casino
Fixed Ratio
Reinforcement is given after a fixed # if behaviors
Ex: buy 10 coffees get one free
Variable Interval
Reinforcement is given after a variable amount of time
Ex: fishing
Fixed interval
Reinforcement is given after a fixed amount of time
Ex: paycheck
Social learnin
Learning from the behavior of others
(Theorist is Albert Bandura)
*most behaviors acquired by observational learning
Observational learning
Form of social learning in which the organism observes and imitated the behavior of others
Bandura exper
Bobo dolls
No specific reinforcement needed!
Social learning can occur through exposure and intimidation alone
Cognitive approach
An approach to the study of learning that emphasizes abstract mental processes and previous knowledge
Latent learning
Learning that is not obvious but goes under the surface our thought processes also influence how desirable a particular stimulus is (reinforcement value)
Cognitive Maps
(E.C Tolman said learning not so simple as stimulus-response)
A mental image of where one is located in space
Encoding
- acquiring info
- info enters brain from series
Storage
-“hang on” to info
Short and long term
Short term memory
Limit on amount and time (5-9 things)
Rehearsal helps
Long term memory
Implicit: actions you are not aware that you remember (walk, eat)
Explicit: info you are aware of recalling (facts, directions, memories)
Key to long term is having trick/device to help remember
Mnemonic device
Something that helps you remember
Ex: PEMDAS
Chunking
Grouping items to easily remember
7 is magic #
Schema
Organized approach to solving a problem/answering question
Ex: planning list around route of grocery store
Retrieval
Process of getting info back out when needed
- recall: short answer, fill in blank
- recognition: word banks, multiple choice
(Amnesia) anterograde
When you cannot remember anything after the event that caused amnesia
Retrograde amnesia
When you cannot remember anything from before the event
Serial positioning effect
Remember things at the beginning and end
Von restoroff effect
Remember things that stand out
Misleading questions
Memory might be based on the way questions are asked
Misinformation effect
Constructing memory based on information you get after an event
Flashbulb memory
Emotionally significant event you remember clearly
