Unit 3 AOS 2

Learning

the process of acquiring knowledge, skills or behaviours through experience

Behaviourist approaches to learning

theories that propose learning occurs by interacting with the external environment

Classical conditioning

a form of learning that occurs through repeated association between two different stimuli that produces a naturally occurring response

Before conditioning

the first stage of classical conditioning, during which the neutral stimulus has no associations and does not produce any significant response

Neutral stimulus (NS)

any stimulus that does not produce any relevant response before conditioning

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

any stimulus before learning, which produces a naturally occurring response (automatic reflexive)

Unconditioned response (UCR)

a naturally occurring (automatic/reflexive) response to the UCS

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

any stimulus which causes a learned response after repeated association

Conditioned response (CR)

a learned response to the CS after repeated association

During Conditioning

the second stage, where the NS is repeatedly paired with the UCS, producing an UCR

After conditioning

the third stage, where the NS becomes the CS, producing a CR

Operant Conditioning

a three phase learning process that involves learning an association between a stimulus, a behavior performed and the resulting consequence

Antecedent

the stimulus or event that precedes and often elicits the particular behaviour performed

Behaviour

the learners voluntary response in the presence of the antecedent

Consequence