wk4_L_7&8. Learning: Contiguity & Contingency of events (Classical Conditioning / Opponent Process Model Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Classical Conditioning about?

A

Predicting future events

CS (Conditioned Stimulus);

  • prepares one for imminent event
  • sets up expectation for that event & elicits CR (Conditioned Response)
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2
Q

For a CS to elicit a CR, it must?

A
  • not just a matter of close proximity
  • CS must predict imminent arrival of US (Unconditioned Stimulus)
  • cognitive element to Classical Conditioning
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3
Q

Classical Conditioning only occurs when?

A

The animal has learned to set up expectation

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4
Q

Conditioning is easier when the CS is familiar OR unfamiliar?

A

Unfamiliar (no pre-existing expectations)

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5
Q

Example of cognitive elements in Classical Conditioning (when animal has learned to set up an expectation)

A

CS (bell) > Expectation (of food) > Salivation/tail wagging/looking for food/begging

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6
Q

Contiguity Theory is when?

A

2 stimuli are presented together in time & associations between them are formed

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7
Q

How does the CR form?

A

Contiguity Theory - two stimuli presented together in time

To form a CR, just put two stimuli together in time

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8
Q

What was the proposed alternative theory of Classical Conditioning to Contiguity Theory?

A

Contingency Theory

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9
Q

Contingency Theory is?

A
  • Contingency theory - CR develops when CS is able to predict occurrence of US
  • Contingency between CS & US. Contingency being the relationship between 2 events, one being contingent/a consequence of the other.
  • The occurrence of a future event is possible, given that one event has occurred, but not always certain. E.G. US may not always follow a CS - but CS can still elicit a CR
  • Relies heavily on predictability & expectation
  • When CS is presented, expectancy for US is formed, which fuels the CR
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10
Q

Contingency (predictability) depends on?

A
  • Reliability of CS-US pairing. How often is CS followed by US?
  • Uniqueness of CS-US pairing. How often US happens without CS? What is probability of US occurring if no CS has occurred?
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11
Q

With Contingency theory, the CS must?

A

Be able to predict the US

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12
Q

What happens to contingency theory when CS is less than perfect predictor? What if 50% of the time it follows, but 50% of the time it doesn’t?

A

There would be no CR

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13
Q

Contingency can also predict the ‘what’ of the US?

A

Absence

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14
Q

Contingency is about probability. E________ Conditioning & I_________ Conditioning - likelihood of something occurring or not occurring…

A
  • Excitatory Conditioning - likelihood of something (food) occurring given that something else (bell) did
  • Inhibitory Conditioning - likelihood of something (food) NOT occurring given that something else (bell) did
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15
Q

Effect of contingency on classical conditioning - also works in predicting absence of events

A

What if shock is less likely when bell is sounded - then it would become a safety signal indicating lower prediction of shock

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16
Q

Why didn’t the villagers come when the ‘Boy Cried Wolf?’

A

They didn’t believe him. The CS (wolf) did not predict the US (the wolf).

The boy crying wolf might even predict no wolf - inhibitory effect

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17
Q

What affects the acquisition of the CR? (in addition to contiguity & contingency), factors that matter are?

A
  • SEQUENCE of CS-US presentation
  • STRENGTH of the US
  • NUMBER of CS-US pairings
  • RELIABILITY & UNIQUENESS of CS as a predictor of the US (contingency)
  • BELONGINGNESS of CS with US
18
Q

Sequence (time) when CS and US are presented is important in how CR is formed. What are the four types of sequences?

A
  1. Delayed Conditioning - CS first and overlaps with US coming on (CS predicts US. Large amounts of conditioning)
  2. Trace Conditioning - gap between CS & US. (CS predicts US so long as gap not too large. Memory traces predict US)
  3. Simultaneous Conditioning - CS & US come on and off at same time (CS doesn’t predict US very well)
  4. Backward Conditioning - US before CS (CS cannot predict anything about the US)
19
Q

What may be some other factors of the CR?

A
  • Strength of US - larger US value = greater the conditioning
  • Number of CS-US pairings - more often paired = greater the conditioning
20
Q

OPPONENT PROCESS (Solomon & Corbit, 1974) is?

A

emotion arousing stimuli > emotional responses

‘the concept of habituation and sensitisation have been extended to emotions and motivated behaviour’

21
Q

Emotional after-reaction is called?

A

Opponent-Process Theory

Emotional stimulus creates initial response that’s followed by an adaptation, then opposite response

22
Q

In Opponent-Process Theory, with repeated exposure to the stimulus, what happens?

A

Change in pattern. Primary affective response (a-process) habituates. Then, the after reaction (b-process) strengthens

23
Q

The Opponent-Process Theory is a what theory?

A

Homeostatic theory - assuming neurophysiological mechanisms involved in emotional behaviour serve to maintain emotional stability

24
Q

What are some common characteristics of emotional reaction?

A
  • emotional reactions are biphasic; primary reaction followed by an opposite after-reaction
  • primary reaction gets weaker with repeated stimulus
  • after-reaction is strengthened
25
Q

Skydivers (Solomon & Corbit, 1974), examining the fear & relief before and after the jumps…

A
  • Beginners - extreme fear (stage A) with first jump, replaced by great relief (stage B) upon landing. With repeated jumps the fear decreases, and post jump pleasure increases.

HEDONIC-AFFECTIVE PHENOMENA exhibiting opp-processes at work

26
Q

When a dog is presented with an electric shock it’s heart rate increases to a peak - decreases slightly - then stabilises at normal level. When shock is turned off it’s heartrate plunges below normal level. Which theory may this be an example of?

A

Opponent-process theory of emotion

  1. a-process (directly elicited by stimulus)
  2. b-process (compensatory response to counteract the a-process) elicited to maintain homeostasis
27
Q

Solomon & Corbit’s (1978) Standard Pattern of Affective Dynamics graph:

A

After repeated stimulations - figure of dynamic of opponent-process system

28
Q

Opponent Process Theory of Acquired Motivation - a-process & b-process

A
  • A-process = initial reaction. Whether experience is pleasant or unpleasant, this is the sudden emotional reaction quick quickly reaches it’s peak. Ends quickly once stimulus has gone
  • B-process = after reaction. Offset of the stimulus causes an emotional after reaction (sometimes opposite of initial reaction). Slower in onset and decay than a-process
29
Q

Fear from jumping out of a plane is the ‘what’ process in opp-process theory of motivation?

A

A-process

30
Q

Landing safely > euphoric feeling after landing safely back on the ground after jumping out of a plane is the ‘what’ process in opp-process theory of acquired motivation?

A

B-process

31
Q

Opponent Processes in action - an example of process of events may be?

A

Fear + Relief = Thrill (rollercoaster ride for e.g.)

  • Disturb homeostasis: a-process
  • Compensatory response: b-process
  • Back to baseline: set point
  • Observed response (state): a-process + b-process
32
Q

Opponent processes & classical conditioning - the environmental cues become the?

A

CS (conditioned stimulus). CR is b-process. Anticipatory starts earlier

33
Q

A-process is directly related to the presentation of what?

A

Emotional stimulus. If this is removed - process stops immediately

34
Q

Once stimulus is removed in opponent-process theory of emotion, what happens to the b-process?

A

Slowly declines

35
Q

With repeated presentation of the emotional event (skydiving for e.g.), what happens to the b-process?

A

Increases in strength & duration

36
Q

What process theory accounts for drug addiction in humans?

A

Opponent-process theory of emotion.

Drug effect = net effect of a-process minus b-process

(Thrill seeking behaviours & addictions apply to this theory)

37
Q

`(which room was drug administered - context)

A

Contextual cues, E.G. for soldiers & using heroin

  • stressed by war
  • built friendships with fellow soldiers who were heroin users
  • ended in soldiers being in an environment that had multiple stimuli driving them toward heroin use
  • when they returned to the U.S, they found themselves in completely different environment
  • now environment was devoid of stimuli that triggered use in first place
  • without stress, soldiers who were previously not users before war now found it easier to quit
38
Q

What happens to a-process & b-process with regard to drug tolerance?

A

b-process gets stronger with repeated use in a specific context > reduced effect > need increased quantity to get high

repeated experience with a drug results in less high (a-process)

39
Q

What happens to a-process & b-process with regard to drug withdrawal?

A

repeated exposure to drug in specific context, b-process increase in strength & duration

a-process ceases immediately, b-process declines slowly

negative effects of b-process become extreme > withdrawal

40
Q

*When a stimulus causes an affective state (A) which may be either positive or negative, an opposing process is set in motion acting to dampen the response & reduce intensity of state A

A

*When a stimulus is removed, opponent process remains for a while causing state B which is opposite in effective tone to state A. (affective contrast)