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Classical Conditioning
A type of learning process where two or more stimuli are normally unrelated, are paired together to cause a new conditioned response.
What is the difference between neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus?
Neutral stimulus does not evoke a response whereas unconditioned stimulus does
What is the difference between unconditioned response and conditioned response?
Unconditioned response is a reflex or innate response to the unconditioned stimuli whereas conditioned response is a response to the previously neutral stimuli
How did conditioned stimulus develop from neutral stimulus?
When the neutral stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus over a period of time, it becomes a conditioned stimulus (which causes the same reaction as an unconditioned response).
What is the difference between stimulus generalisation and discrimination?
Both are in response to original conditioned stimuli however, generalisation is when the conditioned response is elicited from a similar stimuli whereas discrimination only respond to the original stimuli.
How is extinction and spontaneous recovery related?
Extinction is a reduction or loss in the strength of a conditioned response when the UCS is withheld however, spontaneous recovery allows the response to reappear.
What is the difference between contiguity and contingency?
In both classical and operant conditioning, contiguity refers to the time interval between the stimulus and the response, while contingency describes the predictability of a response based on the presence of a specific stimulus.
What is the ideal contiguity time interval?
0.5 seconds or else no associations will be made.
How does acquisition phase lead into performance phase?
In both classical and operant conditioning, acquisition phase is where associations are made. When successful, this leads into the performance phase where the subject responds to the stimuli.
Preparedness
The concept where some associations are learned more rapidly than others. This is seen with phobias, taste aversions, and anything needed for survival like food.
What is the difference between fear and phobia?
Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the presence of a threat whereas phobia is an irrational fear of something that affects everyday life.
Systematic Desensitisation
A behaviour therapeutic tool widely used to modify learned behaviours associated with phobias.
What are some advantages of using systematic desensitisation to treat phobias (2 points)?
Gradual process of extinguishing strong conditioned response.
Can be considered more ethical because of gradual process.
What are some disadvantages of using systematic desensitisation to treat phobias (3 points)?
Can be a very slow process
Can be expensive due to the time it can take for some clients.
Risk of it not being effective.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
A type of therapy used to treat various problems which aims to help clients manage and change their distorted thoughts and actions.
What are some advantages of cognitive behaviour therapy (3 points)?
Evidence for longer, more extended success.
Can use strategies again if symptoms resurface
Applicable to all age groups, demographics, and gender.
What are some disadvantages of cognitive behaviour therapy (3 points)?
Sometimes difficult to change thought processes for severe phobias.
Can be a very confronting form of therapy with high short-term stress and panic.
Can be very expensive.
Operant Conditioning
A type of learning process which the strength of a behaviour is modified by the consequences (positive or negative) following the behaviour.
What is the difference between reinforcer and punisher?
Although both are elements of operant conditioning, reinforcer strengths the likelihood of a response whereas punisher weakens the likelihood of the response.
What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement is where pleasant stimulus is added after a behaviour whereas negative reinforcement is where unpleasant stimulus is removed by desired behaviour.
Punishment
A consequence used to decrease the frequency of undesirable behaviour that follows.
What is the difference between aversive punishment and response cost?
Although both are forms of punishment, aversive punishment is adding an unpleasant stimulus after performing an undesirable behaviour whereas response cost is taking away a pleasant stimulus after performing an undesirable act.
Why is reinforcement generally better than punishment when it comes to reducing undesired behaviour?
Reinforcement addresses the root of what caused the undesirable behaviour and aims to use positive reinforcement to encourage the individual to continue doing the right behaviour.
Shaping
Apart of operant conditioning where complex behaviours are increased using positive reinforcement.
What are the five scheldues of reinforcement?
Continuous
Fixed Interval
Fixed Ratio
Variable Interval
Variable Ratio
What is the difference between continous and partial reinforcement?
Continuous reinforcement is receiving reinforcement for every behaviour whereas partial occurs when only some of the desired behaviours are reinforced.
Fixed Interval
When the reinforcement is delivered at predictable time intervals.
Variable Interval
When the reinforcement is delivered at unpredictable time intervals.
Fixed Ratio
When the reinforcement is delivered after a predictable number of responses.
Variable Ratio
When the reinforcement is delivered after a unpredictable number of responses.
Placebo
A treatment (medication, therapy, or any intervention) appears to deliver benefits of real medical interventions.
What is the placebo effect?
When a person believes the treatment is working and reports the experience as an improvement in their condition
Behaviour Modification
A set of therapies/techniques based on operant conditioning aimed to replace inappropriate or problematic behaviours with more positive, desirable behaviours.
Observational Learning
A type of learning process that happens indirectly through a process of watching others, then imitating their behaviour aka modelling.
What are eight factors of observational learning?
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
Gender of Model
Social Status of Model
Relationship
Consequences
Mirror Neurons
A type of neuron that fires when an animal imitates the action of someone else.
What are four personal differences in learning?
Personal characteristics
Academic characteristics
Social/emotional characteristics
Cognitive characteristics
Learned Helplessness
A behaviour exhibited by the subject where they are prevented repeatedly from avoiding some aversive stimulus and becomes helpless.
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