Learning

Question 1

What is learning?

Answer 1

• Learning: refers to any enduring change in the way an organism responds based on its experience

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

• Classical conditioning: An environmental stimulus leads to a learned response, through pairing of an unconditioned stimulus with a previously neutral conditioned stimulus. E.g. Ivan Pavlov and dog. All responses are reflexes or autonomic responses→ involuntary

Question 3

Extinction

Answer 3

• Extinction: The weakening of the conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus. Not an unlearning of response, learned inhibition of responding. Important implications for treatment of phobias

Question 4

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 4

• Spontaneous recovery: the re-emergence of a previously extinguished conditioned response

Question 5

Biological Constraints on classical conditioning

Answer 5

• Biological constraints on classical conditioning:

- Biological preparedness: Some stimuli and responses are more likely to be conditioned than others

Question 6

Operant conditioning

Answer 6

• Operant conditioning

• the learning of a new association between behaviour and its consequences
• It is learning through reinforcement and punishment
• Behaviour (response) is voluntary and emitted not elicited
• Behaviour is modified according to its consequences
• Edward thorndike: studied cats placed in puzzle boxes

Question 7

Behaviour is controlled by its consequences

Answer 7

• Behaviour is controlled by its consequences
  o Behaviours that result in pleasant consequences: reinforcement-will be more likely in the future
  o Behaviours that result in unpleasant consequences: punishment- will be less likely in the future

Question 8

Classical vs operant

Answer 8

Classical versus operant:

• Classical what happens before a behaviour is most important for learning
• Operant: the consequences or what happens after a behaviour is most important for learning

Question 9

Cognitive social theory argues

Answer 9

• Cognitive social theory argues that we form expectancies about the consequences of our behaviours

Question 10

Locus of control

Answer 10

• Locus of control: The expectancy of whether or not fate determines outcomes in life

Question 11

Internal locus

Answer 11

• Internal locus: believe that their actions determine their fate

Question 12

External locus

Answer 12

• External locus: Believe that their lives are governed by forces outside their control