What is learned in Instrumental Learning? Flashcards
Lecture 4 (17 cards)
What is an association in instrumental learning?
A learned connection between stimuli, thoughts, emotions, and responses formed through experience.
How do stimuli influence behaviour beyond reflexes?
Stimuli can trigger cognitive and emotional processes that guide voluntary responses.
What does Thorndike’s Law of Effect state?
Responses followed by satisfying outcomes become more likely in the same context; those followed by discomfort become less likely.
What is stimulus-response (S-R) learning?
Learning that forms associations between stimuli and responses, leading to habitual behaviour.
How does Hull define reinforcement?
Reinforcement occurs when a stimulus reduces a drive (e.g., hunger), strengthening S-R links.
What is a key limitation of S-R theories?
Learning can occur without reinforcement or drive reduction, as shown in latent learning studies.
What is contingency learning in instrumental conditioning?
Learning that a response causes an outcome, based on the difference between outcome probability with and without the response.
What is the Delta P (ΔP) rule in contingency learning?
ΔP = p(O|R) – p(O|~R); learning occurs when this value is significantly positive or negative.
What does a positive ΔP indicate in the Delta P rule?
The response increases the likelihood of the outcome (e.g., positive reinforcement).
What does a negative ΔP indicate in the Delta P rule?
The response decreases the likelihood of the outcome (e.g., negative reinforcement).
What is outcome devaluation in instrumental learning?
A method to test goal-directed behaviour by reducing the value of an outcome and observing changes in response.
What does sensitivity to outcome devaluation indicate?
Goal-directed behaviour, where actions are based on the current value of expected outcomes.
What does insensitivity to outcome devaluation suggest?
Habitual behaviour, where actions persist regardless of outcome value.
How does amphetamine exposure affect learning?
It enhances habitual behaviour and reduces sensitivity to outcome devaluation.
What is latent learning?
Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is revealed when motivation is introduced.
What distinguishes goal-directed from habitual behaviour?
Goal-directed behaviour is flexible and based on outcome value; habitual behaviour is automatic and stimulus-driven.
How do goal-directed vs habitual systems relate to dual-process models?
Goal-directed learning aligns with explicit/cognitive systems; habitual learning aligns with implicit/automatic systems.
