Learning Flashcards
(53 cards)
What is learning?
A process that results in: A change in behaviour that is relatively consistent and is based on experience.
Explain a ‘change in behaviour’.
- Cannot “see” learning
- Can see the results of learning: - Improvement in performance
- Acquired general attitudes (Appreciation of art, understanding of philosophy etc.)
What can be seen by learning in performance?
- Performance can be observed and measured
- Assume change in performance is due to learning (Not perfect, but best we have)
Explain a ‘relatively consistent change’.
- Consistent over different circumstances (Can ride ANY bicycle
Can swim in ANY water) - Not necessarily permanent
- Performance declines if we stop practicing a learned skill
- Skill is more easily learned the second time
How is learning ‘based on experience’?
- Experience = taking in information and making responses that affect the environment
- Learning happens when the response is influenced by memory (As opposed to maturation, illness, or brain damage)
What are the 2 types of learning?
- Non-Associative
- Associative (if…then…)
Explain why reflexes are not a form of learning
Whilst adaptive and it can vary - not a consistent change in behaviour due to experience.
What are two examples of non - associative learning?
Habituation and Sensitisation
What is habituation?
A decline in responding to repeated presentations of a stimulus
How do we knows not merely fatigue?
Test for dishabituation
What is sensitisation?
Increased responsiveness with repeated stimulation (Generally when stimuli are strong/important)
Define Classical Conditioning
Organism learns association between two stimuli; one stimulus elicits a reflex response that was originally only elicited by the other stimulus
List and define the different stimulus components of Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Stimulus elicits reflex response naturally
Neutral Stimulus (NS): Does not elicit reflex response
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Originally the NS, but has been associated with the UCS after multiple pairings; is now able to elicit a reflex response by itself
Who came up with Opponent Process Theory?
Solomon and Corbit (1974)
What is the Opponent Process Theory?
An initial reaction triggers an opposing process
How does habituation occur in the Opponent Process Theory?
After repeated presentations of the stimulus, the B process grows, faster, stronger, fades slower - producing habituation.
What is the opponent process theory of colour vision and how does it work?
- We perceive colour as either red or green, or blue or yellow
- Aftereffects appear in the complementary (“opposing”) colour (E.g., see green after exposure to red)
- Cells in the visual pathway that respond to red are inhibited (“switched off”) by green
What does the opponent process theory have to do with psychology?
(3 things)
- Generalises to a range of emotional states and behaviours
- A strong initial emotion is replaced by an opposing emotion
- With repetition the A-state weakens and B-state strengthens
List and define the different response components of Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned Response (UCR): Reflex response
Conditioned Response (CR): Reflex response to CS
Give an example of the B state in real life!
- Addiction
- Thrillseeking
- Thinking you left your mic on during a teams meeting - relief = B state
Which theorist worked on classical conditioning with dogs and what did he find?
(Use classical conditioning components/terms)
Ivan Pavlov; Dogs originally would salivate (UCR) at meat powder/food (UCS) but not at bell (NS)
After multiple pairings (Acquisition) with food, the bell became a CS and can cause the dog to salivate by itself (CR)
Define Acquisition
Phase of Classical Conditioning where UCS is paired with NS/CS during learning trials
Define Extinction
CR will fade over time if the CR not paired with the UCS for a while (not permanent)
Define Spontaneous Recovery
After rest break, the CR will suddenly reappear after CS is presented without the UCS (fading is rapid)
