Chapter 33: Associative Learning Flashcards
What is classical conditioning
It refers to the type of learning that takes place when a response usually elicited by one stimulus is then associated with a different stimulus that wouldn’t normally lead to that response.
Explain Ivan Pavlov experiment
Pavlov noticed that dogs salivated when seeing or smelling food. So he conducted an experiment where he would ring a bell (conditioned stimulus) everytime before giving food( unconditioned stimulus). He then saw that the dogs started to salivate when they heard the bell( conditioned response) now before seeing the food ( unconditioned response). So the dogs became conditioned to associating food with the sound of a bell.
What are the features of classical conditioning
An unconventioned stimulus: is a stimulus that causes subject to respond on a specific way before learning has taken place
An unconditioned response: the response to an unconditioned stimulus.
A conditioned stimulus: a stimulus that’s initially neutral but through association may produce desired response when presented without unconditioned stimulus.
A conditioned response: is the response that follows the conditioned stimulus.
What are the principles of classical conditioning
Reinforcement: the strengthening of the likelihood of a response. Classic conditioning is reinforced when the conditioned stimulus is followed immediately by the unconditioned stimulus.
Extinction: is the disappearance of a previously learned response.
Spontaneous recovery: refers to reappearance of a response which seems to have been extinguished.
Higher order conditioning means that conditioning goes one or more steps further than original conditioning.
Stimulus generalisation: refers to the tendency to respond to similar but unidentical stimuli. The response to conditioned stimulus becomes generalised to other stimuli.
Stimulus discrimination: occur when subject can discrimate or detect difference among similar stimuli and only respond to specific stimulus.
What is operant conditioning
It’s a form of associative learning where learning taking place is dependent on the consequences of the response that the person makes which isn’t automatic but has to be actively done.
Explain the experiment American psychologist B.F.Skinner conducted.
He placed a rat in a small box that contained a handle and a food tray. Motivated by hunger the rat explored the box and accidentally stepped on the handle and saw food appeared but paid no attention to the association. The rat again accidentally stepped on the handle and food appeared. Soon through operant conditioning the rat realised that stepping on the handle produced food.
What are the principles of operant conditioning
Reinforcement is most effective when it occurs immediately after the desired response is produced. The shorter the time between response and reinforcement the better.
Positive reinforcement occurs when a pleasant or desirable reinforcer follows a response.
Negative reinforcement occurs when making a response removes an unpleasant event. A negative reinforcer increases the likelihood of a response but it’s desire is to end unpleasant event.
Punishment refers to an unpleasant consequence of a response and decreases the likelihood that response will occur.
What is partial reinforcement
It occurs when reinforcement doesn’t follow every response and only some responses are reinforced.
Fixed ratio schedule: means a fixed number of responses must be made in order to attain reinforcement. Reinforcement is predictable
Variable ratio schedule: the number of responses that must be made before reinforcement is varied. Reinforcement is less predictable
Fixed interval schedule: reinforcement that’s produced for first correct response after a certain amount of time has passed. Less effective
Variable interval schedule: is a variation of the fixed interval schedule where reinforcement is given for first correct response after different intervals of time.
What factors influence the success of punishment
The effectiveness of punishment depends on timing consistency and intensity. This means punishment is effective if it occurs each time an undesirable response occurs ( consistency) immediately after the undesirable Response occurred (timing) and if it’s severe enough ( intensity) it’s important that the severity of punishment fits seriousness of action or punishment may not have desired effect.
