PSY100 - Chapter 8 The adaptive mind (Learning)

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behaviour or the capacity for behaviour due to experience

Instincts

An inborn pattern of behaviour elicited by environmental stimuli; also known as a *fixed action pattern*

Classical conditioning

A type of learning in which associations are formed between two stimuli that occur sequentially in time

Operant conditioning

A type of learning in which associations are formed between behaviours and their outcomes

Habituation

A simple form of learning in which reactions to repeated stimuli that are unchanging and harmless decrease

Sensitization

An increased reaction to many stimuli following exposure to one strong stimulus

Unconditioned stimulus

A stimulus that elicits a response without prior experience

Unconditioned response

A response to an unconditioned stimulus that requires no previous experience

Conditioned stimulus

An environmental event whose significance is learned through classical conditioning

Conditioned response

A response learned through classical conditioning

Acquisition

The development of a learned response

Extinction

The reduction of a learned response. In classical conditioning, extinction occurs when the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) no longer follows the conditioned stimulus (CS). In operant conditioning, extinction occurs when the consequence no longer follows the learned behaviour

Spontaneous recovery

During extinction training, the reappearance of conditioned responses (CRs) after periods of rest

Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to an original conditioned stimulus (CS)

Discrimination

A learned ability to distinguish between stimuli

Taste aversion

a learned association between the taste of a particular food and an aversive effect due to an aversive stimuli being paired with that food.

Biological preparedness

the idea that organisms are biologically predisposed to quickly learning associations between stimuli, responses, and reinforcers

Rescorla-Wagner model

 a cognitive model of classical conditioning which states that the strength of the CS (conditioned stimulus)-US association is determined by the extent to which the US is unexpected or surprising → leads to greater effort by the learner to understand why the US (unconditioned stimulus) appeared

Higher-order conditioning

Learning in which stimuli associated with a conditioned stimulus (CS) also elicit conditioned responses (CRs)

Latent inhibition

The slower learning that occurs when a conditioned stimulus (CS) is already familiar compared to when the CS is unfamiliar

Thordike’s law of effect

any behaviour that leads to a satisfying state of affairs is more likely to occur again, and any behaviour that leads to an annoying state of affairs is less likely to recur

Positive reinforcement

A method for increasing behaviors by administration of a reward when a desired behavior is exhibited

Negative reinforcement

A method for increasing behaviours that allow an organism to escape or avoid an unpleasant consequence

Positive punishment

A consequence that eliminates or reduces the frequency of a behaviour by applying an aversive stimulus

Negative punishment

A method for reducing behaviour by removing something desirable whenever the target behaviour occurs

Primary reinforcer

biological need

secondary (conditioned reinforcer)

rewarding due to association with primary reinforcer from classical conditioning

Premack principle

high probability behaviour used to reinforce lower probability behaviours

Shaping

involves reinforcing behaviours that are increasingly similar to the desired behaviour

Partial reinforcement

The reinforcement of a desired behaviour on some occasions, but not others

Fixed ratio schedule

A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement occurs following a set number of behaviours

Fixed interval schedule

A schedule of reinforcement in which the first response following a specified interval is reinforced (worst method)

Variable ratio schedule

A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement occurs following some variable number of behaviors (best method)

Variable interval schedule

A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement occurs following some variable number of behaviours

Biological constraints

animals have a difficult time learning behaviours that are incompatible with innate, adaptive behaviours

Instinctive drift

the tendency of animals to fall back into their predisposed behaviours even after conditioning

Latent learning

Learning that occurs in the absence of reinforcement

Observational learning/Social learning theory

Learning that occurs when one organism watches the actions of another organism; also known as social learning or modelling

Hebb’s rule

neurons that fire together wire together

Bobo Doll Experiment

• found that learning is due to modelling, imitation and other social interactions

• in accordance with behaviourism