Learning Flashcards
An unlearnt behaviour is…
Innate
Reflexes are not…
Learnt behaviours
Simple Learning types are…
Habituation, Adaptation
Complex Learning types are…
Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning, Observational learning
Pavlov’s Dog experiment is…
Classical Conditioning
What is ‘Extinction’ in Classical conditioning?
Where the conditioned stimulus is eliminated
What is ‘spontaneous recovery’ in Classical conditioning?
Where the extinction has not fully erased the conditioned response and the conditioned response is elicited from the stimuli.
What is stimulus generalisation in Classical conditioning?
Where a range of stimuli can trigger the conditioned response
What is stimulus discrimination in Classical conditioning?
Only learning a conditioned response to a specific stimulus.
Why was the little Albert experiment unethical?
Created fear and distress in an infant, risk of physical harm, used everyday objects as conditioned stimulus, did not eliminate the fear after conditioning the response.
CS
Conditioned Stimulus
UCS
Unconditioned Stimulus
CR
Conditioned Response
UCR
Unconditioned Response
What is ‘Thorndike’s Law of Effect’?
A behaviour is either strengthened or weakened depending on consequences of behaviour
Operant Conditioning
B.S. Skinner created operant learning based on Thorndike’s Law of effect. Suggests that learning is based on voluntary and spontaneous behaviours rather than involuntary (Classical conditioning) and create outcomes such as ‘rewards or positive reinforcement’.
Primary reinforcers
Require little if any learning through association (i.e. food, water, avoidance of pain, etc)
Secondary reinforcer (conditioned)
much more specific and require pairing with stimulus, generally through classical conditioning (money, praise, social approval, validation, etc)
Positive reinforcer
Pleasant stimulus after a particular behaviour (playing video games, treat (chocolate, lollies), toy, etc)
Negative Reinforcer
unpleasant stimulus removed from environment (not doing dishes, no pain, no chores, etc)
Fixed interval schedule of reinforcement
response is reinforced after specific period of time of doing behaviour (payed per hour)
Variable interval schedule of reinforcement
response is reinforced at different unknown periods of time (catching a fish)
Fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement
After a specific number of behaviours (buy 7 coffees get 8th free)
What is observational Learning?
It is defined through learning through observing the reinforcement of others.