7. Asssociative Learning Flashcards
(11 cards)
1
Q
Why is it important to learn about classical and operant conditioning?
A
- fundamental types of learning are consistent across species
- allows cross-species comparisons (can generalise)
2
Q
What is classical/pavlovian conditioning?
A
- involves the pairing of 2 stimuli
- CS + UCS
- UCS is associated with a hardwired response
- response becomes associates with the CS through conditioning
3
Q
What is aversive conditioning?
A
- classical conditioning in which unwanted behaviour is targeted by pairing it with a negative stimulus
- common paradigms = eye-blink conditioning, tail pinching and electrical shocks
4
Q
What is extinction?
A
- the conditioned response decreases
- this could be due to creating a new association
5
Q
What is spontaneous recovery?
A
- reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of no exposure to the CS
6
Q
What is generalisation?
A
- ability to respond with the CR to the new stimulus which resembles the original CS
- e.g Little Albert became scared of anything white/fluffy
7
Q
What is discrimination?
A
- happens simultaneously to generalisation
- ability to not respond with the CR to the new CS
- allows us to detect important differences
8
Q
What is a trial?
A
- a single presentation of a CS-US sequence
9
Q
What is a block?
A
- consists of several trials
- typically has specific parameters e.g reward probability
10
Q
What is a session?
A
- consists of one or more blocks
- different sessions are then usually separated by longer time intervals
11
Q
What is partial reinforcement?
A
- intersperse trials in which the CS is not followed by the US
- done randomly
- slows down both acquisition and extinction learning
