Neuro 73: Learning theory

Question 1

Learning: What is it? v. maturation?

Answer 1

• relatively permanent change in behavior –> occurs as a result of experience
• behavior is the response, the environment or the experience is the stimulus
• maturation is something you become able to do physiologically as you age, it is not something that is learned

Question 2

What are the 3 types of learning?

Answer 2

1. classical conditioning
2. operant conditioning
3. social learning = modeling

Question 3

Unconditioned stimulus

Answer 3

• this is the normal stimulus/event/object

- ex. w/ pavloc’s dog = the food

Question 4

Unconditioned response

Answer 4

• the normal response to an event/stimulus

- ex. w/ pavlov’s dog this is the salivation in response to the food

Question 5

Conditioned stimulus

Answer 5

• this is the new event/object/stimulus you are trying to introduce
• ex. w/ pavlov’s dog = the bell

Question 6

Conditioned respose

Answer 6

• the response you get from the conditioned stimulus

- ex. the salivation from the bell w/ pavlov’s dog

Question 7

Pairing

Answer 7

-associating the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus

Question 8

Generalization

Answer 8

• get the conditioned response when you use a stimuli similar to the conditoined stimuli
• the response to the secondary stimulus is dependent on how similar it is to the prrimary stimulus –> the more similar = the better the response you will get

Question 9

Extinction

Answer 9

• AKA habituation
• when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the paired unconditioned stimulus the response gradually fades and over time stops
• if the association is weak, then this happens faster
• if the association was periodic then the extinction will occur more slowly
• *happens a lot with the olfactory system
• also occurs w/ operant learning over time when the reward/punishment is removed

Question 10

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 10

• after a brief period of rest if the conditioned stimulus is again presented again it will elicit the conditioned response –> wont be as strong & will only last for a short period of time before habituation again
• like they forgot about the habituation

Question 11

Discrimination

Answer 11

-the response to a similar stimuli will elicit a response (generalization) but if it is presented without the unconditioned stimulus the organism will only respond to the conditioned stimulus

Question 12

Sensitization

Answer 12

• the response of an organism to an negative stimulus
• the response to the neg stimulus causes a change in the DNA of the neurons!
• CANT habituate a negative experience

Question 13

Watson’s experiments w/ little Albert

Answer 13

• presented white furry rat
• put on mask and made a loud noise
• Albert “learned” that the rat was associated with a fearful situation –> his response then became generalized to other white furry objects!

Question 14

Operant conditioning

Answer 14

-the probability of a behavior re-occurring is directly related to the manner in which the behavior is responded to

Question 15

Positive reinforcement

Answer 15

• increases the probability that the behavior will be re-occurring
• give a reward for a behavior

Question 16

3 Primary rewards

Answer 16

1. food
2. affection
3. attention

Question 17

3 Secondary rewards

Answer 17

1. gifts
2. praise
3. awards

Question 18

Negative reinforcement

Answer 18

• removal of an unpleasant stimulus in order to increase the probability that a behavior will re-occur
• ex. a child agreeing to clean their room so their parent will stop yelling

Question 19

Positive punishment

Answer 19

• a response to a behavior that decreases the probability of the behavior occurring
• punish the unwanted behavior

Question 20

Negative punishment

Answer 20

-removal of a reward to decrease the likelihood of the behavior occurring again

Question 21

Aversive punishment

Answer 21

-painful or dehumanizing response to a behavior in order to decrease the likelihood of the behavior occurring

Question 22

Fixed ratio reinforcement schedule

Answer 22

• response/reward occurs at a set ratio to the occurrence of the behavior
• ex. every 3rd time there is a reward

Question 23

Continuous reinforcement schedule

Answer 23

• response/reward occurs in a fixed ratio of 1:1
• every time the behavior occurs there is a reward
• causes rapid learning

Question 24

Variable ration reinforcement schedule

Answer 24

• reinforcement occurs at random intervals
• most naturally occurring reinforcement schedule
• works the best –> has the least amnt of extinction when the reward/punishment is removed

Question 25

Shaping

Answer 25

• using successive approximations of the desired behavior
• method of systemic reinforcement
• used when the behavior does not occur naturally
• ex. potty training, take it in steps, first reward sitting on the toilet, etc.

Question 26

Practice and operant conditioning

Answer 26

• practice plays an important role!

- operant conditioning involves the process of consistent trials w/ reinforcement

Question 27

Procedural learning

Answer 27

• learning a new behavior responses as a result of reinforcement
• can happen w/out being concious or aware of the behavior in question
• does not require verbal memory
• ex. learning how to swing a golf club via practice

Question 28

Generalizations and behavior

Answer 28

• doing a learned behavior in a different envi

- a behavior is more likely to recur in the envi that it was learned in

Question 29

Modeling

Answer 29

• learning based on the observation of others adapting to the same situation
• accounts for a lg % of our learned behaviors

Question 30

Cocaine

Answer 30

• interferes with the reuptake of dopamine

- but when not on cocaine the body will not produce dopamine & you will never feel good

Question 31

2 Clinical applications of classical conditioning

Answer 31

1. use of disulfiram w/ alcoholics –> makes them nauseous when they consume alcohol
2. systemic desensitization for phobias –> teach relaxation/biofeedback to be used with the phobia & do this in stepwise fashion

Question 32

What is the most common reward?

Answer 32

-attention