Chapter Three: Learning and Memory

Question 1

What is learning? What are the types of learning?

Answer 1

Refers to a relatively permanent change in behaviour that is caused by experience
- Behavioural learning: takes place as a result of responses to external events
- Cognitive learning: stresses the importance of internal mental processes

Question 2

Explain classical conditioning

Answer 2

Occurs when a stimulus that naturally elicits a response is paired with another stimulus that initially does not elicit a response on its own
- Stimulus generalization: the tendency of a stimuli to evoke a similar conditioned response
- Stimulus discrimination: occurs when a stimulus similar to a CS is not followed by a UCS

Question 3

What is instrumental conditioning? What are the four types?

Answer 3

Occurs as the individual learns to perform behaviours that produce positive outcomes and to avoid behaviours that yield negative outcomes
- Positive reinforcement
- Negative reinforcement
- Punishment
- Extinction

Question 4

What are the four types of reinforcement schedules?

Answer 4

1. Fixed ratio: occurs after a fixed number of responses
2. Variable ratio: occurs after a variable number of responses
3. Fixed interval: occurs after a fixed amount of time
4. Variable interval: occurs after a variable amount of time

Question 5

What is observational learning?

Answer 5

Occurs when people watch the actions of others and note the reinforcements they receive for their behaviours
- The process of imitating is called modeling

Question 6

Define memory and explain its process

Answer 6

Involves a process of acquiring information and storing it over time so that it will be available when needed
- Encoding: information is placed in memory
- Storage: information is retained in memory
- Retrieval: information stored in memory is found as needed