What is the definition of learning?
Learning is an enduring change in behaviour, or in the capacity to behave in a given fashion, which results from practice or other forms of experience.
Schunk, 2012
What are the characteristics of learning?
Learning is:
* Enduring (most of the time)
* Observable in behaviour (most of the time)
* Demonstrated by the absence of behaviour
* Demonstrated after a delay
* Dependent on motivation
* Not all behaviour change is due to learning.
What is classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning is the phenomenon whereby an initially neutral stimulus comes to elicit a new response because it has been paired with a stimulus that naturally elicits a response.
Who discovered classical conditioning?
Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning through his studies on the reflexes of digestion in dogs.
What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
The stimulus that naturally elicits the response before conditioning occurs.
What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?
The innate response that is elicited by the UCS (conditioning is not necessary for this response to occur).
What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?
An initially neutral stimulus that begins to elicit a new response after it is paired with the UCS.
What is a conditioned response (CR)?
The response that is elicited by the CS after classical conditioning has occurred.
Fill in the blank: In Sarah’s cookie example, the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is _______.
bacteria
Fill in the blank: In Mabel’s puppy example, the conditioned stimulus (CS) is _______.
the leash
What is acquisition in classical conditioning?
Acquisition is the gradual learning of a conditioned response that occurs when the CS and UCS are paired together.
What is extinction in classical conditioning?
Extinction is the gradual weakening of the conditioned response when the CS is no longer presented with the UCS.
What is spontaneous recovery?
Spontaneous recovery is the re-emergence of the conditioned response after successful extinction when the CS is encountered after a delay.
What is generalisation in classical conditioning?
Generalisation occurs when the conditioned response is not specific to the CS that was used during conditioning and can be elicited by similar stimuli.
What is discrimination in classical conditioning?
Discrimination is the tendency for a response to be elicited more by one stimulus than another.
What factors influence conditioning?
Factors influencing conditioning include:
* Timing
* Predictability
* Novelty
* Salience
What is operant conditioning?
Operant conditioning is the learning of a new association between a behaviour and its consequences.
What is the law of effect?
Behaviours that lead to a ‘satisfying state of affairs’ are strengthened, while behaviours that lead to an ‘unsatisfying state of affairs’ are weakened.
What does reinforcement do in operant conditioning?
Reinforcement increases the future probability of a behaviour.
What does punishment do in operant conditioning?
Punishment decreases the future probability of a behaviour.
What is positive reinforcement?
The presentation of a pleasant stimulus following a response, which leads to an increase in the future strength of that response.
What is negative reinforcement?
The removal of an unpleasant stimulus following a response, which leads to an increase in the future strength of that response.
What is positive punishment?
The presentation of an unpleasant stimulus following a response, which leads to a decrease in the future strength of that response.
What is negative punishment?
The removal of a pleasant stimulus following a response, which leads to a decrease in the future strength of that response.
