Chapter 7: Learning (part 1) - Matt

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts of learning, classical and operant conditioning.

Learning

The process of acquiring new information or behaviors through experience.

Example: Learning to ride a bicycle for the first time.

Associative Learning

Learning that occurs when events or stimuli become associated with a response, such as classical or operant conditioning.

Example: A rat learns to press a lever to receive food.

Classical Conditioning

type of conditioning when the neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to bring forth a conditioned response.

Example: A bell paired with food causes dogs to salivate when they hear the bell.

Operant Conditioning

A type of conditioning where behaviors are influenced by the consequences that follow them.

Example: A child is praised for doing homework, increasing the likelihood of them doing it again.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers an unconditioned response without prior conditioning.

Example: Food that naturally causes salivation in dogs.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Example: Salivation when food is presented.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

Example: The sound of a bell that is paired with food.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral but now conditioned stimulus.

Example: Salivation in response to the sound of the bell alone.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that has no effect on behavior before conditioning.

Example: The sound of a bell before it is paired with food.

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning when a response is first established and gradually strengthened.

Example: Learning to associate the sound of a bell with food during conditioning.

Extinction

The decrease of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer present after the conditioned stimulus.

Example: A dog stops salivating at the sound of the bell when no food is presented after the bell.

Gradual Exposure

A behavioral therapy technique where a person is exposed to a feared object or context without any danger, to overcome anxiety.

Example: A person afraid of spiders gradually interacts with pictures of spiders before seeing real ones.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause.

Example: A dog that once salivated at a bell may salivate again after some time without conditioning.

Higher-order Conditioning

When a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating an additional conditioned stimulus.

Example: A light is turned on before the bell, and soon the light alone will cause salivation.

Phobia

An irrational fear that is often the result of classical conditioning.

Example: A person has an intense fear of dogs due to a past bite.

Generalization

The likelihood for similar stimuli to the conditioned stimulus to bring out similar responses.

Example: A dog conditioned to salivate at a bell may also salivate at a chime.

Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli.

Example: A dog learns to salivate only to a specific tone and not other tones.

Positive Reinforcement

Any stimulus that, when presented, strengthens the desired response.

Example: Giving a child a cookie for completing their homework.

Negative Reinforcement

Any stimulus that, when removed, strengthens the desired response.

Example: A student no longer has to take quizzes if they maintain good grades.

Primary Reinforcer

A stimulus that is naturally reinforcing, such as food or water, because it satisfies a biological need.

Example: Food, which is necessary for survival, reinforces behavior.

Conditioned (Secondary) Reinforcer

A stimulus that becomes rewarding through association with a primary reinforcer.

Example: Money, as it can be exchanged for food or other primary reinforcers.

Immediate Reinforcer

A reinforcer that occurs instantly after a behavior.

Example: A treat given to a dog immediately after it sits on command.

Delayed Reinforcer

A reinforcer that is delayed in time for a certain behavior.

Example: A paycheck received at the end of the week for work done.

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule

A type of reinforcement schedule in which every correct response is reinforced.

Example: Giving a reward every time a desired behavior occurs.

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

A reinforcement schedule that rewards only some of the time, which makes the habit harder to break

Example: A lottery ticket that wins occasionally reinforces the behavior of purchasing.

Punishment

The introduction of an undesirable consequence or the removal of a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Example: A child loses privileges for misbehaving.

Fixed Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that reinforces a behavior after a set number of responses.

Example: A reward after every five correct responses.

Variable Ratio Schedule

reinforcement after a random number of behaviours

Example: A slot machine that pays out after an unpredictable number of plays.

Fixed Interval Schedule

reinforcement that reinforces after a fixed amount of time has passed.

Example: A paycheck received every two weeks.

Variable Interval Schedule

reinforcement after a random amount of time.

Example: Checking social media for notifications at unpredictable times.

Cognitive Learning

Learning that involves mental processes and may occur without direct experience.

Example: Learning how to solve a puzzle by observing someone else.

Law of Effect

Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely.

Example: An animal learns to press a lever more often when it receives food after pressing it.

Behavior Shaping

Gradually guiding behavior toward a desired behavior through reinforcement.

Example: Training a dog to roll over by rewarding small steps of the behavior.