Chapter 1 - Introduction to learning

Question 1

What is learning?

Answer 1

a relatively permanent change in behavior that results from some type of experience

Question 2

Learning does not include changes due to _____ (4)

Answer 2

development, changes of physical state, reflexes, innate tendencies

Question 3

How do we know if learning has occurred?

Answer 3

by observing changes in performance

Question 4

Epistemology

Answer 4

the study of knowledge

Question 5

Nativism

Answer 5

assumes that abilities and behavioral tendencies are largely inborn

Question 6

Which philosopher subscribes to nativism?

Answer 6

Plato

Question 7

Empiricism

Answer 7

assumes that abilities and behaviors are mostly learned

Question 8

Which philosopher subscribes to empiricism?

Answer 8

Aristotle

Question 9

What are Aristotle’s 4 laws of association?

Answer 9

Law of Similarity, Law of Contrast, Law of Contiguity, Law of Frequency

Question 10

Law of Similarity

Answer 10

when two things are similar, thinking of one can trigger the other

Question 11

Law of Contrast

Answer 11

when two things are opposite, thinking of one can trigger the other

Question 12

Law of Contiguity

Answer 12

events that occur together closely in time/space are more easily associated

Question 13

Law of Frequency

Answer 13

the more often two things occur together, the more strongly they’re associated

Question 14

Who had the idea of Mind-Body Dualism?

Answer 14

Rene Descartes

Question 15

Mind-body dualism

Answer 15

a distinction between the material, physical body (reflex), and the non-physical mind (free will)

Question 16

Was Descartes an empiricist or a nativist?

Answer 16

nativist, believed many concepts we hold are innate

Question 17

Who were the 3 biggest British empiricists?

Answer 17

John Locke, David Hume, George Berkely

Question 18

What is “Tabula Rasa”?

Answer 18

idea that humans are born with a mind like a “blank tablet” on which one’s life experiences are written

Question 19

Compositionality

Answer 19

our ideas are the result of a combination of associations between elements

Question 20

Structuralism

Answer 20

study attempting to determine the structure of the mind by identifying the basic elements that compose it

Question 21

Main figures of structuralism?

Answer 21

Wilhelm Wundt, Edward Titchner

Question 22

What study was the first to apply the scientific method to questions about human consciousness?

Answer 22

Structuralism

Question 23

What methods were used in structuralism?

Answer 23

introspection and systematic observation

Question 24

Functionalism

Answer 24

evolutionary approach to the study of human consciousness, interested in the evolution of the mind / ability to adapt, function of mental processes

Question 25

Major figure in functionalism?

Answer 25

William James

Question 26

Who is considered the father of behaviorism?

Answer 26

John B. Watson

Question 27

Behaviorism

Answer 27

natural science approach to psychology, focuses on environmental influences on observable behavior

Question 28

Functionalism has evolved into __________

Answer 28

evolutionary psychology

Question 29

Why did behaviorism survive and other early studies did not?

Answer 29

clear methods, easier to implement and interpret

Question 30

How many schools of behaviorism are there?

Answer 30

5

Question 31

The schools of behaviorism differ on ________ and _________

Answer 31

level of focus (molar vs. molecular), role of cognition and internal processes

Question 32

The schools of behaviorism share _________

Answer 32

focus on observable behaviors and role of environment

Question 33

Methodological behaviorism

Answer 33

"original" form, study of how environment influences observable behaviors, excludes all thoughts and feelings, molecular

Question 34

Main figure in methodological behaviorism?

Answer 34

Watson

Question 35

What is S-R Theory?

Answer 35

learning is the establishment of a connection between a stimulus and a response

Question 36

Neo-behaviorism

Answer 36

study of how the environment influences observable behavior using measurable physiological processes to explain behavior, states of deprivation!!

Question 37

Major figure in neo-behaviorism?

Answer 37

Clark Hull

Question 38

Intervening variable (used in neo-behaviorism)

Answer 38

anything that comes between a cause and effect

Question 39

Cognitive Behaviorism

Answer 39

purposive behaviorism, how environment influences observable behavior, using hypothesized cognitive approaches to help explain behavior, more molar approach

Question 40

Latent learning

Answer 40

learning that has occurred, but is not demonstrated

Question 41

Cognitive map

Answer 41

mental representation of one's spatial surroundings

Question 42

Major figure in cognitive behaviorism?

Answer 42

Tolman

Question 43

Social learning theory

Answer 43

how environment influences behavior (AND vice versa) while emphasizing the importance of observational learning and cognitive variables

Question 44

Main figure in social learning theory?

Answer 44

Bandura

Question 45

Reciprocal determinism

Answer 45

idea that behaviors, environment, and internal variables all influence each other

Question 46

Social learning theory is the basis for what therapy?

Answer 46

CBT

Question 47

Radical behaviorism

Answer 47

emphasizes influence of environment on behavior, rejects the use of internal events to explain behavior, re-labels internal events as "covert behaviors"

Question 48

Countercontrol

Answer 48

ideas that we can manipulate our environment to have a beneficial influence on behavior

Question 49

Applied behavior analysis

Answer 49

using the principles of behaviorism to analyze and solve real world problems

Question 50

The "bridge" between a philosophy of learning and a science of learning might be the belief that ideas are compromised of smaller, basic elements, can can be re-arranged in different combinations. This philosophical idea was suggested by ________________, but first tested scientifically by ______________.

Answer 50

the British empiricists; Structuralists

Question 51

Which of the five behavioral schools we discussed would be most likely to assert that internal states or processes cannot be scientifically studied?

Answer 51

Methodological behaviorism

Question 52

Functionalism was greatly influenced by:

Answer 52

Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection

Question 53

Which school of behaviorism would be most interested in studying the effects of hunger on behavioral changes?

Answer 53

Neo-behaviorism

Question 54

What role do "internal events" (like thoughts and feelings) play in Skinner's Radical Behaviorism?

Answer 54

Internal events can be studied, but should be treated as behaviors themselves, and not used to explain observable behavior