The Mind (Learning) - HOSA Behavioral Health

Instinct

Inborn patterns of behaviour elicited by environmental stimuli (aka fixed action patterns)

Associative Learning

Learning that occurs through the associations/connections made between stimuli

→includes classical and operant conditioning

Non-associative Learning

Learning that involves changes to the magnitude of responses to a stimulus

→ includes habituation and sensitization

Acquisition (classical conditioning)

Development of a conditioned/learned response →requires continuity (proximity of time between conditioned and unconditioned stimulus) and contingency (relationship between condition and unconditioned stimulus)

Extinction (classical conditioning)

Disappearance of a learned response

Spontaneous recovery (classical conditioning)

Sudden reappearance of conditioned behaviour during extinction training

Inhibition (classical conditioning)

A conditioned stimulus predicts the inhibition of an unconditioned stimulus (Ex. dog learns that a certain whistle means food isn’t coming, inhibiting its salivation response)

Generalization (classical conditioning)

The tendency to generalize similar stimuli together since they’re similar to conditioned stimulus

Discrimination (classical conditioning)

Learned ability to be able to differentiate between stimuli

Higher Order Conditioning

Pairing a condition stimulus with a new one to create a new conditioned response to both of them

Latent Inhibition (classical conditioning)

Slower learning that occurs when a conditioned stimulus is already familiar (compared to a brand new one)

Aversion Therapy

An application of classical conditioning in which counter-conditioning occurs, a CS formerly paired with a pleasant response is now paired with an unpleasant one.

Positive Reinforcement

Increases desired behaviour by adding something pleasant whenever the behaviour occurs.

Premack Principle

If an organism spends a large amount of time/energy doing something, that activity is likely important to it.

Negative Reinforcement

Increases desired behaviour by removing something unpleasant whenever behaviour occurs.

Positive Punishment

Decreases undesired behaviour by adding an unpleasant consequence whenever behaviour occurs.

Negative Punishment

Decreases desired behaviour by removing positive stimulus whenever behaviour occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcement of desired behaviour in some instances but not others

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement occuring after a set number of behaviours

Variable Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement occuring after an unset number of behaviours

Fixed Interval Schedule

The first response following a specific interval is reinforced.

Variable Interval Schedule

The first response following an unset interval is reinforced.

Successive Approximations Method

Reinforcing rare behaviours by encouraging similar behaviours, and getting more specific as time goes on.

Latent Learning

Learning occuring in the absence of reinforcement

Instinctive Drift

The tendency for animal instincts to get in the way of conditioning