neuro 12 - instrumental/operant conditioning

how is operant conditioning different to classical? How is it similar?

1) learning = response (R) and consequences (US), 2) response = voluntary, 3) learn R -> US, but similar in that it can involve appetitive/aversive outcomes

What is the Law of Effect according to Thorndike?

If a response is followed by a positive outcome, it is likely to be repeated; if followed by a negative outcome, it is less likely to be repeated.

what is the difference between thorndike and the modern view of conditioning?

thorndike = US isnt in learning, respond to S and US is irrelevant; modern view = associates R and US as US = in learning, US has value

How does operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning?

Operant conditioning involves reinforcement or punishment to shape behavior, while classical conditioning involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

What is reinforcement in operant conditioning?

Reinforcement is the process of receiving something positive or avoiding something negative, which increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

What is punishment in the context of operant conditioning?

Punishment involves receiving something aversive or losing something positive, which decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated - response follows aversive US

What is the difference between escape and avoidance in operant conditioning?

Escape involves a response that removes an aversive stimulus after it has started, while avoidance involves a response that prevents an aversive stimulus from occurring.

What are the 3 types of avoidance responses?

Passive avoidance (staying still), active avoidance (moving to another location), and signaled avoidance (responding to a warning signal to avoid an aversive event).

What did Kamin's 1956 study reveal about avoidance learning?

Animals learn to avoid shock when a warning signal is present, but they learn least when their responses are ineffective.

What is a conditioned inhibitor in operant conditioning?

A conditioned inhibitor signals the absence of an unconditioned stimulus, effectively cancelling the expected aversive outcome.

What did Solomon et al. (1953) find regarding avoidance responses in dogs?

Avoidance responses can persist even when the aversive stimulus is no longer present, as the response becomes a conditioned inhibitor predicting the absence of shock.

What is appetitive reinforcement?

Appetitive reinforcement occurs when a response is followed by a pleasant stimulus, increasing the likelihood of that response being repeated.

What are the two main schedules of reinforcement?

Continuous reinforcement (rewarding every response) and partial reinforcement (rewarding some responses).

What is the difference between fixed and variable schedules of reinforcement?

Fixed schedules provide rewards after a set number of responses or time, while variable schedules provide rewards after an unpredictable number of responses or time.

What is the significance of the discriminative stimulus in operant conditioning?

A discriminative stimulus signals that a particular response will be reinforced, guiding the learner's behavior.

What is the concept of 'inhibitory response' in avoidance learning?

An inhibitory response cancels aversive outcome, providing motivational value to the avoidance behaviour.

What did Soltysik et al. (1983) demonstrate about conditioned inhibitors in cats?

Conditioned inhibitors protect fear responses from extinction, even when the aversive outcome is no longer present.