ATAR Psych - Learning U3

Learning

a relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of experience

Classical Conditioning

a form of learning through associating a neutral stimulus with one that elicits a reflex response

First phase [before conditioning]

- involves an unconditioned stimulus [UCS] that results in an unconditioned response. it is natural or automatic.

- there is also a neutral stimulus [NS] that causes no response

Second phase [during conditioning]

- you develop an association between the neutral stimulus [NS] and the unconditioned stimulus [UCS]

- the NS becomes a conditioned stimulus [CS]

third phase [after conditioning]

- the conditioned stimulus [CS] produces a conditioned response [CR] as a result of association

stimulus generalisation

occurs when a stimulus similar to the CS causes the CR

discrimination

occurs when you differentiate between the CS and another similar stimuli

extinction

occurs when the CR weakens and eventually disappears when the CS is presented repeatedly without the UCR

spontaneous recovery

when a CR suddenly reappears after it has previously been extinct

Antecedent

the stimulus that occurs before the behaviour

Behaviour

the learnt action that occurs due to the antecedent

Consequence

the result of the behaviour & influences whether the behaviour is repeated or stopped in the future

Law of Effect

behaviour followed with a pleasant consequence is more likely to be repeated, while behaviour with an unpleasant consequence is likely to be avoided.

Reinforcer

any stimulus that increases the likelihood of a response (behaviour increases)

Punishment

any stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a response (behaviour decrease)

Positive Reinforcement

a behaviour that is strengthened by providing a pleasant stimulus

e.g. if you take a bite of a delicious cake, you are very likely to have another bite

Negative Reinforcement

a behaviour that is strengthened by removing an unpleasant stimulus

e.g. a student has a loud, annoying alarm that goes off until she gets out of bed.

Positive Punishment

a behaviour that is weakened by adding an unpleasant stimulus.

e.g. If a child misbehaves, a parent might spank them so they don't misbehave again.

Negative Punishment

a behaviour that is weakened by removing a favourable stimulus

e.g. If a child misbehaves, a parent might take away their favourite toy/phone privileges.

Continuous Reinforcement

reinforcement happens every single time the behaviour is performed. learning happens faster, but extinction is also faster.

partial reinforcement

reinforcement happens occasionally; not every time the behaviour is performed. learning is slower, but extinction is also lower.

fixed-ratio schedule

reinforcement is delivered at a fixed frequency, after a specific number of correct behaviour.

fixed-interval schedule

reinforcement is delivered at a fixed frequency after a specific period of time has passed.

variable-ratio schedule

reinforcement is given at an irregular frequency, after a random number of correct responses.

variable-interval schedule

reinforcement is given at an irregular frequency, after a random period of time has passed.

response rate

how quickly & how often a behaviour is performed.

what schedule has the fastest response rate?

variable ratio schedule, because not being able to predict when reinforcement will be given keeps you performing the desired behaviour, hoping the next behaviour will be rewarded.

extinction rate

how quickly previously learnt behaviour descrease/stops when the reinforcement is removed

what schedule has the fastest extinction rate?

fixed interval schedule, because once the pattern is learnt, you realise when the reinforcement will be given and stop performing the desired behaviour.

similarities between Classical and Operant Conditioning

- both enables new behaviours to develop

- both involves a stimulus & a response

- both assumes that changes in behaviour are a result of the environment in which learning occurs

differences between Classical and Operant Conditioning

- CC involves learning due to association between two stimuli, while OC involves learning due to positive or negative consequences

- CC involves a stimuli given after the behavior (the positive or negative consequence), while OC involves a stimuli given before (the conditioned stimulus)

Social learning theory

- suggests that people learn by observing & imitating others

- someone observes another person's actions & their consequences - and use this information to guide their own future actions

- e.g. i see annie help ms ridzuan and get a merit for it, in future i might try to help ms ridzuan because I want to get myself a merit (monkey see, monkey do)

observational learning

changes in behaviour are acquired by observing the behaviours of a model

model

a person whose actions informs others how to behave

stages of observational learning

attention -> retention -> reproduction -> motivation -> reinforcement

attention (OL)

- the learner actively watches the model & their behaviour

- requires cognitive abilities of the learner & the learner being interested in the model

retention (OL)

- the learner stores a mental representation of the model's behaviour

- requires cognitive abilities of the learner

reproduction (OL)

- the learner is mentally and physically capable of performing the behaviour

- dependent on environmental/personal factors that support the learner's behaviour

motivation (OL)

- the learner is interested & wishes to copy the learnt behaviour

reinforcement (OL)

the learner will perform the behaviour & pleasant consequences means the learner might repeat the behaviour again

strengths of social learning theory

- explains how people can learn without direct experience

- includes the role of attention, memory and motivation in learning

- supported by studies like (Bandura, Ross and Ross, 1961)

systematic desensitisation

a type of behavioural therapy using classical conditioning to reduce a phobia

process of systematic desensitisation

1. The psychologist teaches the person relaxation techniques

2. They would create a fear hierarchy of stimuli relating to the fear inducing stimuli.

3. The hierarchy begins with the least anxiety provoking reaction to the most anxiety provoking reaction

4. The person will begin to go through the hierarchy, while practising relaxation techniques

5. They will remain at one stage until they feel no anxiety, then they move to the next highest

Advantages of systematic desensitisation

- research has found it to be an effective and long lasting treatment of phobias (like spiders, flying, heights)

- patients face fears step by step, so it's less overwhelming compared to other methods.

Disadvantages of systematic desensitisation

- It treats the fear response & symptoms of the phobia, but not the underlying cause

- Exposure is not always practical &/or ethical

- Requires multiple sessions; progress can be slow compared to other treatments.

Token economics

- Token economies use operant conditioning/positive reinforcement to strengthen desired behaviour

- "tokens" are given when the correct behaviour is performed (secondary reinforcers) and can exchanged for a reward (primary reinforcers)

Primary reinforcer

A stimulus that is biologically important to someone, it provides comfort or fulfills a physical need

Secondary reinforcer

Can be exchanged for primary reinforcers, can be intangible.

advantages of token economics

- tokens are given immediately, so desired behaviour is rewarded as soon as it is exhibited

- is adaptable/flexible and works for different age groups

- used in educational settings and teaching practices for young children

disadvantages of token economics

- tokens must be desirable & not all people will have the same desires

- If a person believes the tokens are too hard to earn, they will lose motivation

- If rewards are accessible through an easier way, people may not be interested in the effort required for the additional token