learning science and application Flashcards
What do the terms positive and negative mean in learning theory?
Positive means adding something to the environment; negative means taking something away from the environment.
What is a reinforcer?
Something the learner will work to earn or finds pleasurable.
What is the difference between a reinforcer and a reward?
A reinforcer strengthens the likelihood a specific behavior will repeat; a reward is a momentary acknowledgment.
What is a punisher?
Something the learner will work to avoid or finds aversive.
True or False: Whether something is a reinforcer or punisher is determined by the trainer’s intent.
False.
What does the term unconditioned mean?
It refers to a stimulus or response that was not learned.
What does the term conditioned mean?
It refers to a stimulus or response that has a meaning that was taught to the learner.
What is counter-conditioning?
Teaching a stimulus or response to have a new, usually opposite meaning.
What is a neutral stimulus?
A stimulus that has no meaning at all to the learner.
What are the ABCs in learning theory?
Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence.
What is a primary reinforcer?
Anything a learner would naturally work for to survive, such as food or water.
What is a secondary reinforcer?
A stimulus that has been paired with or predicts a primary reinforcer.
What is a tertiary reinforcer?
A behavior or stimulus that has been paired with or predicts a secondary reinforcer.
What is Premack’s Principle?
A more likely behavior can reinforce a less likely behavior.
Who is Edward Thorndike?
A pioneer in learning theory known for the Law of Effect and trial and error learning.
What is the Law of Effect?
Learning occurs as an animal practices and learns to compare right and wrong answers.
What is classical conditioning?
A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.
What was the key experiment conducted by Ivan Pavlov?
Dogs salivating at the sound of a bell due to its association with food.
What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?
A neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response.
What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
A stimulus that has an inherent meaning without needing to be learned.
What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?
A reflexive response to an unconditioned stimulus.
What is a conditioned response (CR)?
A learned response to a conditioned stimulus.
What is desensitization?
Presentation of a conditioned stimulus at low levels to avoid a response.
What is the significance of timing in classical conditioning?
Timing is crucial for building associations; incorrect timing can ‘poison’ the stimulus.