Generalization and Discrimination Learning

Exactly what's on the tin.

generalization

responding in the same way to two different stimuli because of their similarities

discrimination

responding in different ways to two different stimuli because of their apparent differences

Little Albert was afraid of dogs, rabbits, a Santa mask, and a pack of cotton because of (_).

generalization

What happens in generalization?

stimuli similar to the original cue elicit a response

In generalization, more similarity = (_) likely response

more

semantic generalization (concept formation)

generalization of abstract concepts

Generalization is based on (_) characteristics.

physical

Why is generalization an important process?

it helps us to not make mistakes without having to go through the learning process all the time

Some researchers believe that we () until we learn to ().

generalize; discriminate

discrimination training

teaches organisms to discriminate between both target and similar stimuli (through classical conditioning and/or operant conditioning)

In classical conditioning conditioned excitation, the discriminative stimulus is (_).

CS+

In classical conditioning conditioned inhibition, the discriminative stimulus is (_).

CS-

3 types of discrimination training procedures

successive, simultaneous, and match to sample

successive

one and then the other (follow each other)

In successive discrimination training, you (_) discriminative stimuli, usually randomly.

alternate

simultaneous

discriminative stimuli are all present

match to sample

shown sample stimulus (standard stimulus) and choose matching sample from an array of alternative stimuli (comparison stimuli)

standard stimulus

sample stimulus in match to sample

comparison stimuli

array of alternative stimuli to choose the matching stimulus from in match to sample

mismatch to sample (oddity matching)

a type of match to sample where you pick the stimulus that is different

Why can discrimination training be frustrating?

because you are trying to figure out the rules and errors punish attempts

Who came up with errorless discrimination training?

Terrance (1960s)

What was the first step of errorless discrimination training?

3 minutes of S+ (red light), give a pellet anytime the bar is pressed during those 3 minutes

What was the second step of errorless discrimination training?

first produce the S- in very weak form (low intensity) with a short presentation (fading in)

What was the result of errorless discrimination training?

now can discriminate between the S+ and S- with very few errors (when faded in, rat never made a mistake)

fading in

presenting the S- in very weak form, or low intensity with a short presentation

Who were the three scientists who created theories of generalization and discrimination?

Pavlov, Spence, and Lashley-Wade

What was Pavlov's theory of generalization and discrimination called?

Spread of Effect

How did Spread of Effect explain generalization and discrimination?

if neurons are excited, nearby neurons will get excited; spread of neural activity

In Spread of Effect, ( ) spreads from one are to nearby areas.

neural excitation

How does generalization happen, according to Spread of Effect?

new NS(s) activate neural networks nearby the CS which spreads to the CS and sends the activation to the UR (area)

How does discrimination happen, according to Spread of Effect?

the NS is too far from the CS to be activated

Spread of Effect is not (), but it is ( _).

correct; historically important

What was Kenneth Spence's theory of generalization and discrimination?

The tendency to respond is a net effect of 2 stimulus generalization gradients

stimulus generalization gradient

test subjects systematically varying stimulus feature, then plot response probability with respect to stimulus feature

A steep generalization gradient means a lot of (_).

discrimination

A flat generalization gradient means a lot of (_).

generalization

In Spence's stimulus generalization gradient, CS+ or S^D mean there is a (_) tendency to respond to the stimulus.

positive

In Spence's stimulus generalization gradient, CS- or S^delta mean there is a (_) tendency to respond to the stimulus.

negative

What are the two gradients that have a net effect that equals the tendency to respond?

excitatory (gradient) (and) inhibitory (gradient)

What is Spence's gradient with a positive tendency to respond to the stimulus called?

excitatory gradient

What is Spence's gradient with a negative tendency to respond to the stimulus called?

inhibitory gradient

What is the tendency to respond to a novel stimulus following discrimination training in a stimulus generalization gradient?

the difference between the excitatory and inhibitory tendencies

The net effect of the two gradients is found (_) the light has been conditioned.

after

What was weird with Spence's stimulus generalization gradients?

peak responding was not where it should be; it was pushed away from the S+

What data did the weird tendency in Spence's stimulus generalization gradients fit with?

Peak Shift Dara

peak shift

following discrimination training, peak responding is not S^D but further past S^D in the direction away from S^delta

The flaw with Spence's stimulus generalization gradient is that it can't explain ( ).

behavioral contrast

behavioral contrast

the rate of responding to a stimulus in one setting changes when the condition of reinforcement in the other setting gets modified