Wk 3 - Pavlovian theories Flashcards
Five Pavlovian Phenomena
Blocking: learning about the second stimulus is impaired by knowledge of the first
Superconditioning: learning about the second stimulus is hurried along by knowledge of the first
Generalisation: response to one stimulus extended to another - doesn’t last when learn that stim isn’t predicting outcome
Discrimination: refining of generalised responses
Preparedness (Garcia Effect): e.g. taste aversion - biological tendency to form association; contradicts equipotentiality; need fewer pairings to get CR, slower to extinction, evolutionary
Modelling in psych provides… (x2)
Can be… (x2)
And should… (x2)
Formal explanation of research
Simplified reality
Mathematical or structural
Work independently of procedure used (light, shock, etc) and generate testable predictions
One successful model of classical conditioning is the Rescorla-Wagner model, which is…
And is calculated by…(x4)
A mathematical model that predicts learning curves
∆V = αβ (λ −V)
∆V - Change in associative value of CS
α - salience of the CS
(0 – 1), fixed for given learning context eg light is light, lower = flatter curve, higher = rapid initial learning
β - strength of the US to promote conditioning (0 – 1), also fixed, low = flatter curve, higher = rapid initial learning
λ - Magnitude associative value that can be condition for CS (max learning that can happen over time, eg 100, from base-line = 0
V - Current associative value of CS/expected strength of US (expectations about the CS-US association – first trail = 0, and changes over time) (varies/affects curve), eg following conditioning – animal expects US, so set this to 100; for extinction, US stops being presented, so set conditioning strength to 0; produces extinction curve
The Rescorla-Wagner model of classical conditioning predicts blocking because… (x4)
The expected strength (V) becomes the sum of all the CS presented
Eg conditioned tone (100) + unconditioned light (0) = 100 – learned all possible about noise, nothing about light
And expected strength of CS becomes 100 – you’ve learned to expect the shock from the tone
Produces horizontal function – no learning
The Rescorla-Wagner model of classical conditioning predicts superconditioning because… (x4)
Initial training with inhibitor = negative value for V
Initial training with inhibitor = negative value for V
Actively expected an absence of US (0 = could go either way)
Produces really rapid learning curve
In contrast with prior assumptions that CR increased with more CS/US pairings, the Rescorla-Wagner model assumes that…
And so explains blocking and super conditioning as… (x2)
Increased CR is because the CS-US is surprising
Blocking is explained as the second CS not changing how surprising the US is (eg light not surprising rat, as it already expects shock after it being previously paired with noise)
Superconditioning is from the surprise at new CS that is paired with a conditioned inhibitory stimulus (eg light/no shock, then light/tone/shock = surprise and rapid learning)
Research into fear conditioning has shown that…
Through a differential conditioning paradigm, involving… (x3)
We’re predisposed to fear certain animals, eg Sweden – no deadly animals, lotsa deadly shrooms, but not afraid of mushrooms
Fear-relevant (snake) was paired with CS+ (shock) and CS- (different snake, absence of shock);
Fear irrelevant (mushrooms) same conditioning;
Compare acquisition and extinction across excitatory and inhibitory stimuli
Research into the conditioning of racial attitudes found that… (x3)
In an experiment based on/involving… (x2)
But is not a result of… (x1)
Learning was faster for other-race faces paired with shock, and more resistant to eviction
Lesser effect in those who’d dated inter-racially
Differential conditioning paradigm
Pairing same or other-race faces with shock
Predisposition to dislike other races, as is easily overcome - probably due to more exposure to own
Conditioning is thought to contribute to heroin overdosing through…(x1)
Due to…(x1)
Resulting in… (x1)
Mortality rates in rats… (x3)
Context conditioning affects tolerance - faster metabolising of drug in familiar environment
Body preparing for it = less effect
So new environment increases effect
96% in first-time users, 64% in different room, %32% in familiar
Phobias are a clinical example of… (x1)
And are… (x1)
Classical conditioning - learned association of fear with stimulus
Self-sustaining, because phobics avoid exposure to fear-inducing situations
Systematic desensitisation is a behavioural intervention used to treat… (x1)
Through… (x3)
Phobias
Create fear hierarchy
Then relaxation training so experience isn’t aversive
Then gradual exposure to CS without US
The Stock Market Game was used to illustrate… (x1)
By…(x2)
Blocking and superconditioning
By pairing excitatory stimulus with either inhibitory or excitatory stimulus
Then measuring whether we exhibited faster or slower learning to different pairings
Test the generalisation phenomena in Pavlovian conditioning by… (x3)
Egs (x2)
First train with CS-US
Then test different groups with first and other CS
= more generalisation to similar stimuli
Little Albert generalising fear response from white rats to all white fluffy things
Moore’s conditioning of rabbits eye blink at 1200Hz tone by pairing with shock - test at 400, 800Hz etc during extinction = most responses around 1200Hz
Test the discrimination phenomena in Pavlovian conditioning by… (x3)
Which shows that.. (x1)
Giving… (x1)
Each exposure of CS1-US refines association
Provided CS2 or CS3 not ever presented with US
Reduced responding to CS2, CS3 over time
Generalisation doesn’t last
Evolutionary benefits - learn that snakes not sticks are dangerous
