What is learning?
The acquisition, from experience, of new knowledge, skills, or responses that results in a relatively permanent change in the state of the learner.
What are the 3 key ideas of learning?
Learning is based on experience.
Learning produces changes in the organism.
These changes are relatively permanent.
What is non-associative learning?
Learning from a single-stimulus experience. Includes habituation and sensitization.
Define habituation.
A gradual reduction in responsiveness after repeated or prolonged exposure to a stimulus; occurs for regular, lower-intensity stimuli; specific to the exposed stimulus.
Define sensitization.
Presentation of a stimulus leads to an increased response to a later stimulus; occurs with irregular, high-intensity stimuli; generalizes to other stimuli.
What is associative learning?
Forming associations between two (or more) stimuli through repeated experiences (classical and operant conditioning).
What is classical conditioning?
Learning where a neutral stimulus produces a response after being paired with a stimulus that naturally produces that response (reactive behaviours).
Define unconditioned stimulus (US).
A stimulus that reliably produces a response prior to pairing.
Define unconditioned response (UR).
A reflexive reaction reliably produced by an unconditioned stimulus.
Define conditioned stimulus (CS).
A previously neutral stimulus that produces a reliable response after pairing with the US.
Define conditioned response (CR).
A response that resembles the UR but is produced by the CS.
What is the acquisition phase?
The learning phase where the CS is paired with the US to form the association.
What is the common mistake students make?
Thinking the US becomes the CS — incorrect. Only the neutral stimulus becomes the CS.
What is second-order conditioning?
When a CS (CS1) is paired with a new CS (CS2), which then produces a CR without the US ever being presented with CS2 directly.
What does the learning curve look like?
Rapid at first (steep), then reaches an asymptote where more pairings don’t increase CR strength
What is extinction (in classical conditioning)?
The CR weakens when the CS is repeatedly presented without the US. Pattern of reinforcement matters.
What is spontaneous recovery?
The CR reappears after a rest period following extinction.
What is generalization?
CR is observed even though the CS is slightly different from the original CS. Shows recognition of similarity + noticing of differences (diminished response).
What is discrimination?
The ability to respond appropriately to the SD and ignore S∆
What was Watson’s goal in Little Albert?
Show complex emotional reactions can be conditioned
Show emotions are not from unconscious processes
Demonstrate conditioning applies to humans
What is operant conditioning?
Learning in which consequences of behaviours determine whether they will be repeated; involves voluntary behaviours.
What is operant behaviour?
Behaviour modified by its consequences.
What did Thorndike’s puzzle box show?
Cats learn through trial and error
Ineffective behaviours decrease
Effective behaviours increase
Escape becomes faster over time
What is the Law of Effect?
Behaviours followed by satisfying outcomes increase; behaviours followed by unpleasant outcomes decrease.
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Chapter 1111
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Chapter 278
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Chapter 3 pt.158
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Chapter 3 pt.240
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Chapter 3 pt.345
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Chapter 3. Pt.417
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Chapter 4, pt.144
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Chapter 4, pt.240
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Chapter 4, pt.340
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Chapter 5, pt.153
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Chapter 5, Pt.277
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Chapter 6, pt.140
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Chapter 6, pt.237
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Chapter 7, pt.142
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Chapter 7, pt.254
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Ch.9 Pt.142
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Ch.9 Pt.254
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Ch.9 - tying loose ends46
