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Y2 LCRS 2 - Psychology - Laz COPY > Learning Theory > Flashcards

Flashcards in Learning Theory Deck (22)
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1
Q

What are the 3 types of learning - list and summarise them by defining them

A
  1. Classic conditioning learning - learning the association between events and what they signal
  2. Operant learning - learning by the consequences of actions
  3. Observational learning - imitational modeling of others (learning from others - role model)
2
Q

What is classical conditioning?

A
  • A process that creates an association between a naturally existing stimulus and a previous neutral one
3
Q

Define the following:

1) Unconditioned Stimulus
2) Conditioned Stimulus
3) Unconditioned Response
4) Conditioned Response

A

1)

  • Unconditioned Stimulus - A stimulus that elicits a reflexive or innate response (UCR) without prior learning

2)

  • Conditioned Stimulus - A stimulus that, through association with a UCS, comes to elicit a conditioned response similar to the original UCR

3)

  • Unconditioned Response - A reflexive or innate response that is elicited by a stimulus (UCS) without prior learning

4)

  • Conditioned Response - A response elicited by a conditioned stimulus
4
Q

Give a brief descriptions of the iconic study into classical conditioning

A

Pavlov’s Dogs

  • Dogs would start salivating (UCR) when they were brought food (UCS).
  • Then a bell was rung every time before the food was brought to them.
  • Then they started salivating (CR) every time the bell was rung (CS)
5
Q

Describe how phobias might come about - what type of learning

A
  • Classical conditioning
  • E.g. a traumatic injection - the unconditioned stimulus of the trauma and the conditioned stimulus of the needle generate an unconditioned response which is fear
  • Then when you next go to a clinical setting, this is now a conditioned stimulus as it is associated with the painful injection and so you get a conditioned response which is fear
6
Q

Describe the 2 factor theory for maintenance of classically conditioned fear / phobia

A
  • You get the initial classical conditioning resulting in the phobia
  • Then, you will tend to avoid the negative stimulus (the phobia) for example you will avoid injections if you have a phobia of them
  • This is negative reinforcement, the removal of the stimulus reduces the fear and therefore there is negative reinforcement of the phobia behaviour
7
Q

What is stimulus generalisation?

A
  • A tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar, but not identical, to a conditioned stimulus – it will elicit a conditioned response but in a weaker form
8
Q

What is stimulus discrimination?

A
  • The ability to respond differently to various stimuli
9
Q

What is extinction?

A

A process in which the CS is presented repeatedly in the absence of the UCS, causing the CR to weaken and eventually disappear

10
Q

What is observational learning?

A
  • Occurs by watching and imitating actions of another person or by noting the consequences of another person’s actions
  • Occurs before direct practice is allowed and to be successful it requires attention, retention, production and motivation
11
Q

Describe social learning theory / vicarious reinforcement

A
  • Essentially synonymous with observational learning - i.e. social imitation in order to learn - learning from someone else’s example
  • Vicarious reinforcement - if the person you are observing is reinforced for their behaviour, you are more likely to learn by observational learning
12
Q

Name and describe an experiment that demonstrated observational learning?

A
  • Bobo Doll Experiment – children watched their parents beat up the doll and then they went on to do the same thing
13
Q

What is operant conditioning?

A
  • A process in which behaviour is learned and maintained by its consequence i.e. learning the consequences of actions
14
Q

Define the following:

1) Reinforcement
2) Reinforcer
3) Punishment
4) Punisher

A

1)

  • Reinforcement- When a response is strengthened by an outcome that follows

2)

  • Reinforcer - The outcome (a stimulus or event) that increases the frequency of a response

3)

  • Punishment - When a response that is weakened by an outcome that follows

4)

  • Punisher - A consequence that weakens (decreases) the frequency of a response
15
Q

What is operant extinction?

A
  • The weakening and eventual disappearance of a response because it is no longer reinforced
16
Q

What is meant by resistance to extinction?

A
  • Non-reinforced behaviours persist
  • Therefore if you want to get rid of a behaviour, you must not only have punishment, but also reinforcement
17
Q

Fill the gaps in the table for what is defined by the labels

A
18
Q

Define:

1) Negative Punishment
2) Positive Punishment

A

1)

  • Occurs when a response is weakened by removal of a stimulus e.g. confiscating a phone

2)

  • Occurs when a response is weakened by the presentation of a stimulus e.g. a slap on the wrist
19
Q

What are the two types of reinforcement?

A
  • Positive Reinforcement – occurs when a response is strengthened by the subsequent presentation of a reinforcer e.g. giveing a dog a treat if its behaves well
  • Negative Reinforcement – occurs when a response is strengthened by the removal (or avoidance) of an aversive stimulus (e.g. if you do well in your exams you don’t have to get a summer job)
20
Q

What are the four schedules of partial reinforcement?

A
  • Fixed interval schedule – reinforcement occurs after a fixed time interval
  • Variable interval schedule – the time interval varies at random around an average
  • Fixed ratio schedule – reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses
  • Variable ratio – reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses, all centred around an average
21
Q

What is continuous reinforcement?

A
  • Every instance of behaviour is reinforced
  • This is learnt more rapidly than partial reinforcement because the association is easier to understand
  • It also means that it extinguishes more rapidly than partial reinforcement because the shift to no reinforcement is sudden and easier to understand
22
Q

What are the 2 basic theories / schools of thought behind the basic principle of learning? Note: I am NOT talking about the 3 different learning mechanisms / processes

But also talk about how it may relate to the 3 processes

A
  • Overt (behavioural) vs Covert (cognitive)
  • Proposed by Skinner vs Bandura
  • Overt learning - you must directly experience something to learn it - leans towards classical and operant conditioning completely
  • Covert - you can learn something by reflecting on possible consequences of actions or by social imitation - you do not need direct reinforcement in order to learn. It also leans on observational learning but also acknowledges the other 2 processes