Chapter 6 Learning

Chapter 6 Learning

1. classical conditioning: a type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another reason stimulus.

   • terminology & procedures
     • unconditioned stimulus (ucs): a stimulus that evokes an unconditioned response w/o previous conditioning
     • unconditioned response (ucr): an unlearned rxn to a ucs that occurs w/o previous conditioning
     • conditional stimulus (cs): previously neutral stimulus that has acquired the capacity to evoke a conditioned response.
     • conditioned response: learned rxn to a cs that occurs b/c of previous conditioning
     • trail: consists of any presentation of stimulus or pair of stimuli
   • in everyday life
     • evaluate conditioning of attitudes
       • changes in the liking of a stimulus that result from pairing that stimulus with other +/- stimuli
     • conditioning & physiological responses
       • immunosupression: a decrease in the production of antibodies
   • basic processes
     • aquisition: the initial stage of learning something
     • extinction: gradual weakening & disappearance of a conditioned response tendency
     • spontaneous recovery: the reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of nonexposure to the cilonditioned stimulus.
   • stimulus generalization: occurs when an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus responds in the same way to a new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus.
     • stimulus discrimination: when an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus does not respond in the same way to new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus.
     • high-order conditioning: a conditioned stimulus fxns as if it were an unconditioned stimulus.
   • evolutionary & biological effects
     • preparedness: involves a species specific predisposition to be conditioned in certain ways and not others
   • many kinds of everyday responses are regulated through classical conditioning.

2. operant conditioning: a form of learning in which responses come to be controlled by their consequences

   • Thorndike's law
     • law of effect: if a response in the presence of a stimulus leads to satisfying effects, the association b/w the stimulus & the response is strengthened.
   • skinners demonstation
     • reinforcement: occurs when an event following a response increases and organisms tendancy to make that response
   • terminology & procedures
     • skinner box: a small enclosure in which an animal can make a specific response that is recorded while the consequences of the response are systematically controlled.
     • reinforcement contingencies: the circumstances/rules that determine whether responses lead to the presentation of reinforcers.
     • cumulative recorder: creates a graphic record of responding & reinforcement in a skinner box as a fxn of time.
   • basic processes
     • shaping:consists of the reinforcement of closer & closer approximations of a desired response.
     • extinction: when an organism continues to make a response after delivery of the reinforcer has been terminated.
     • discrimination stimuli: cues that influence operant behaviour by indicating the probable consequences.
   • schedules of reinforcement: determines which occurrences of a specific response result in the presentation of a reinforcer.
     • continuous reinforcement: occurs when every instance of a designated response is reinforced.
     • intermittent reinforcement: when a designated response is reinforced only some of the time
     • fixed ratio schedule: the reinforcer is given after a fixed # of nonreinforced responses
     • variable ratio schedule: the reinforcer is given after a variable # if nonreinforced responses
     • fixed interval schedule: the reinforcer is given for the first response that occurs after a fixed time interval has elapsed.
     • variable interval schedule: the reinforcer is given for the first response after a variable time interval has elapsed.
   • + reinforcement vs - reinforcement
     • + reinforcement: when a response is strengthened b/c it is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus
     • - reinforcement: when a response is strengthened b/c it is followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimulus
     • escape learning : an organism acquires a response that decreases or ends some unpleasant stimulation
   • punishment: when an event following a response weakens the tendency to make that response
   • evolutionary & biological effects
     • instinctive drift: when an animals innate response tendencies interfere with conditioning process

3. observational learning: when an organisms responding is influenced by the observation of others.

   • & the brain
     • mirror neurons: r neurons that r activated by performing an action or by seeing another monkey/person perform these same action
   • both operant & classical can occur
   • can account for the influence of media

4. learning

   • learning: any relatively durable change in behaviour or knowledge that is due to experience
   • phobias: irrational fears of specific objects or situations
   • agoraphobia: intense fear of being in public places where it may be difficult to escape from or in which it might be difficult to obtain help
   • conditioning: involves learning connections b/w events that occur in an organisms environment