Learning and conditioning Flashcards
Define learning
Any relatively permanent change in the behaviour, feelings or thoughts as consequence of a priot experience
Adaptation of individual to environement
Are reflexes learnt
No
What is the purpose of orientation reflexes
Facilitate ability to learn from our environment
Give an example of orientating reflexes
If there is a flash/ abrupt noise we turn towards source to see if we are in danger
What is habituation
Simple learning in which we tune out familiar stimuli
What is an instinct
A complex preprogrammed behaviour
What is classical conditioning
Type of learning which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a reflexive response that was originally evoked by a different stimulus
Define unconditioned stimulus
Stimulus that already elicits a response
What is an unconditioned response
A response that doesn’t have to be learnted
What is a conditioned stimulus
Previously a neutral stimulus
What is a conditioned response
Learned response elicited by conditioned stimulus
Name the 4 phases of classical conditioning
Acquisition
Extinction
Spontaneous recovery
Savings
What is acquisition
Learning phase during which a conditioned response strengthens and occurrence of response increases
What is extinction
Gradual weakening of conditioned response tendency (multiple presentation of conditioned stimulus without unconditioned stimulus)
What is spontaneous recover
Reappearance of a response that has been extinguished
Saving
Response comes back again if US and CS coupld
Name some applications of classical conditioning
Advertising
Addiction
What is counterconditioning
Psychological treatment based on classical conditioning
Positive association between US and CS replaced with a negative one
What is aversion therapy
Patient taught to esxperience negative feelings in presence of stimulus
Purpose of extinction procedures
Weaken maladaptive responses (anxiety, phobias)
What is flooding
Client placed into situation inducing anxiety but where no harm can come to them
What is operant/ instrumental conditioning
Learning occurs as a result of a stimuli that strengthens or weakens future engagement
What is the ‘law of effect’
Behaviour is random and occasionally results in reward/ punishment
Define operant
Behaviour that has some effect on environment
