PSYCH - Learning

Question 0

Classical conditioning

Answer 0

The forming of associations between two stimuli that are normally unrelated

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

A relatively permanent change in behaviour that results from experience

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Association

Answer 2

Is the pairing of 2 stimuli to produce a similar response

Question 3

Classical conditioning

Stimulus

Answer 3

Anything in the environment to which one responds

Question 4

Classical conditioning 
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 4

A stimulus that elicits a response without previous conditioning

Question 5

Classical conditioning 
Unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 5

A response to an UCS that occurs without previous conditioning

Question 6

Classical conditioning 
Neutral stimulus (NS)

Answer 6

A stimulus that does not naturally elicit a response

Question 7

Classical conditioning

Examples

Answer 7

• phobias
• taste aversions
• advertising

Question 8

Classical conditioning

Stimulus generalisation

Answer 8

When stimuli similar to the original CS trigger the same CR

Question 9

Classical conditioning

Stimulus discrimination

Answer 9

An ability to distinguish between a CS and other stimuli

Question 10

Classical conditioning

Extinction

Answer 10

The gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a previously CR in the absence of the UCS

Question 11

Classical conditioning

Contiguity

Answer 11

The connectedness in time and space of two stimuli

Question 12

Classical conditioning

Contingency

Answer 12

The predictability of the occurrence of one stimulus from the presence of another

Question 13

Operant conditioning

Answer 13

Learning in which voluntary behaviour is strengthened or diminished, depending on the nature of the consequences that follow it

Question 14

Operant conditioning

Reinforcement

Answer 14

Strengthens the response
Makes it more likely to occur
Increases the frequency and strength of the behaviour

Question 15

Operant conditioning

Positive reinforcement

Answer 15

Adding a pleasant stimulus after a behaviour

Question 16

Operant conditioning

Negative reinforcement

Answer 16

An unpleasant (aversive) stimulus is removed by a behaviour

Question 17

Operant conditioning

Punishment

Answer 17

Weakens the response
Makes it less likely to occur
Reduces the frequency and strength of a behaviour

Question 18

Operant conditioning

Positive and negative punishment

Answer 18

Adding an unpleasant (aversive) stimulus after a behaviour
or
A pleasant stimulus is removed after a behaviour

Question 19

Operant conditioning

schedules of reinforcement

Answer 19

the rate or interval at which responses are reinforced

Question 20

operant conditioning

continuous reinforcement

Answer 20

every correct response is reinforced

Question 21

Operant conditioning

Partial reinforcement

Answer 21

Some, but not all correct responses are reinforced.

Question 22

Operant conditioning 
Partial reinforcement (ratio schedules)

Answer 22

Makes a response a designated number of times

Response based

Question 23

Operant conditioning 
Partial reinforcement (interval schedules)

Answer 23

Requires a time period to pass between the presentation of reinforcers
(Time based)

Question 24

Operant conditioning partial reinforcement (fixed interval)

Answer 24

reinforcement occurs after a fixed time has elapsed | eg. weekly paid wages

Question 25

operant conditioning partial reinforcement (variable interval)

Answer 25

reinforcement occurs unpredictably as the interval (time) varies eg. surfing or fishing

Question 26

operant conditioning partial reinforcement (fixed ratio)

Answer 26

reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses | eg. 1000 bonus after selling 10 cars or fruit picking

Question 27

``` operant conditioning partial reinforcement (variable ratio) ```

Answer 27

reinforcement after an unpredictable (variable) number of responses eg. poker machines

Question 28

operant conditioning generalisation discrimination extinction

Answer 28

generalisation: - the more similar the two stimuli are, the more likely a person is to respond to them as if they were the same stimulus discrimination: - we react differently to two or more stimuli extinction: - occurs when behaviour is no longer reinforced

Question 29

Operant conditioning vs classical conditioning | Differences

Answer 29

Operant -behaviour is primarily determined by what follows it -this behaviour is called "operant behaviour" -ie. behaviour that operates on the environment producing consequences Classical -behaviour is primarily determined by what precedes it (the stimulus) -this behaviour is called "respondent behaviour" -ie. behaviour that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Question 30

Operant conditioning | Shaping

Answer 30

Learn by reinforcing successive approximations leading to final goal response (Using positive reinforcement to learn new tricks)

Question 31

Observational learning

Answer 31

Learning new behaviours or information by watching or imitating others

Question 32

Observational learning Factors influencing observational learning

Answer 32

Attention -extent to which we focus on others' behaviour Retention -our ability to retain a representation of others' behaviour in our memory Reproduction -our ability to actually perform the actions we observe Motivation -our need for the actions we witness; their usefulness to us

Question 33

Observational learning The role of models

Answer 33

- status, power, prestige - model competence - model similarity - model credibility - model enthusiasm - gender

Question 34

Observational learning Learning from television programs: Implicit and explicit

Answer 34

Implicit (latent) learning: - much of what we learn is learned implicitly (not aware of the learning process) - passive, learn by exposure Explicit learning: -conscious, active, seek out information

Question 35

Biological factors influencing learning Preparedness

Answer 35

An organism's biological heritage imposes limits on learning - a species' specific biological predisposition to learn in a certain way but not in others - eg. People tend to develop phobias to snakes, spiders and heights quite easily, however, even after painful experiences with hammers, hot stoves and electrical outlets, phobic fears of these objects are rare

Question 36

Behaviour therapies

Answer 36

Group of techniques based on learning to change maladaptive behaviours

Question 37

Behaviour therapies | Summary

Answer 37

Classical conditioning -systematic desensitisation Operant conditioning -behaviour modification

Question 38

Behaviour therapies | Systematic desensitisation

Answer 38

Gradual process of extinguishing a learned fear (or phobia) by working through a hierarchy of fearful stimuli while remaining relaxed

Question 39

Behaviour therapies | Systematic desensitisation

Answer 39

- learn deep relaxation (physical muscular) techniques - produce a graded stimulus hierarchy of fear - replace fear response at each level of hierarchy by previously learned deep relaxation response - work from least feared to most feared situation

Question 40

Behaviour therapies | Behaviour modification

Answer 40

- a treatment approach, baded on the principles of operant conditioning - replaces undesirable behaviours with more desirable ones - through positive reinforcement (not punishment)

Question 41

Behaviour therapies | Behaviour modification steps

Answer 41

- identify maladaptive behaviour - establish baseline data - "what comes directly before the behaviour?" - "what comes directly after the behaviour?" - identify the reinforcers that are maintaining the maladaptive behaviour - replace with more appropriate reinforcers - realistic goals - can sometimes change environment so behaviour is no longer reinforced - monitor behaviour

Question 42

Ethical issues - in research on learning

Answer 42

- all learning experiments are invasive since they set out to change behaviour - above all, psychologists/scientists must protect participants from physical or psychological harm - I'd research worthwhile and - minimise any suffering and stress

Question 43

Examples of ethical issues in research on learning

Answer 43

Classical conditioning Little Albert study (Watson and Rayner) Observational learning Bobo doll study (Bandura) Operant conditioning Learned helplessness (Martin Seligman)

Question 44

List the five ethical principles

Answer 44

1. Informed consent 2. Voluntary participation 3. Confidentiality/Anonymity 4. Right to withdraw 5. Accurate reporting of research

Question 45

What must be considered when using animals for research?

Answer 45

-ensure comfort, health and humane treatment Eg. Housing, limit number of times animals in experiment, away from disease, food, exercise -there are practical advantages of using animals -there is limited generalisation to humans