Definition: A type of learning
in which a stimulus acquires
the capacity to evoke a
response that was originally
evoked by another stimulus
(Pavlovian Conditioning)
Terminology
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Is a
stimulus that evokes an
unconditioned response without
previous conditioning.
Unconditioned Response (UCR): An unlearned
reaction to an unconditioned stimulus that
occurs without the previous conditioning.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS):
A previously neutral
stimulus that has,
through conditioning,
acquired the capacity to
evoke a conditioned
response.
Conditioned Response (CR): A learned
reaction to a conditioned stimulus that
occurs because of previous conditioning.
Trial: Consists of any presentation of a stimulus or pair of stimuli
Evaluative
Conditioning: Refers
to changes in the
liking of a stimulus
that result from
pairing that stimulus
with other positive or
negative stimuli
Acquisition: Refers to the initial stage of learning something
Extinction: The gradual weakening
and disappearance of a conditioned
response tendency
Spontaneous Recovery: The
reappearance of an extinguished
response after a period of
nonexposure to the conditioned
stimulus
Renewal Effect: If a response is extinguished in a
different environment than it was acquired, the
extinguished response will reappear if the animal
is returned to the original environment where
acquisition took place
Stimulus Generalization: Occurs when an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus
responds in the same way to new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus
Stimulus Discrimination: Occurs 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
Higher-Order Conditioning: A conditioned stimulus functions as if it were an unconditioned stimulus
Preparedness: Involves a
species-specific predisposition to
be conditioned in certain ways
and not others
Definition: Is any
relatively
durable change
in behaviour or
knowledge that
is due to
experience
Operant Conditioning
Definition: is a form of learning in which responses come to be
controlled by their consequences (Instrumental Learning)
Law Of Effect: If a response
in the presence of a
stimulus leads to satisfying
effects, the association
between the stimulus and
the response is
strengthened
Reinforcement: Occurs when an event following a response increases an
organism's tendency to make that response
Terminology
Operant Chamber (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 or rules that
determine whether responses lead
to the presentation of reinforcers
Cumulative
Recorder: Creates a
graphic record of
responding and
reinforcement in a
Skinner box as a
function of time
Primary
Reinforcers:
Events that
are
inherently
reinforcing
because
they satisfy
biological
needs
Secondary (Conditioned)
Reinforcers: Events that acquire
reinforcing qualities by being
associated with primary
reinforcers.
Shaping: Consists of the
reinforcement of closer and
closer approximations of a
desired response
Resistance to Extinction: Occurs when an organism continues to make a
response after delivery of the reinforcer has been terminated
Discriminative Stimuli: Cues that
influence operant behaviour by
indicating the probable
consequences (reinforcement or
nonreinforcment) of a response
Schedules of Reinforcement
Determines which occurrences of a specific
response results in the presentation of a reinforcer
Continuous Reinforcement:
Occurs when every instance
of a designated response is
reinforced.
Intermitted (Partial)
Reinforcement: Occurs
when a designated
response is reinforced
only some of the time
Fixed-Ratio (FR) Schedule: The reinforcer is
given after a fixed number of nonreinforced
responses
Variable-Ratio (VR)
Schedule: The
reinforcer is given
after a variable
number of
nonreinforced
responses
Fixed-Interval (FI) Schedule: The reinforcer is
given for the first response that occurs after a
fixed time interval has elapsed
Variable-Interval (VI) Schedule: The reinforcer is given for the
first response after a variable time interval has elapsed
Positive Reinforcement: Occurs
when a response is strengthened
because it is followed by the
presentation of a rewarding
stimulus
Negative Reinforcement: Occurs when a
response is strengthened because it is
followed by the removal of an aversive
(unpleasant) stimulus
Escape Learning: An organism acquires a
response that decreases or ends some
aversive stimulation
Avoidance Learning: An organism
acquires a response that
prevents some aversive
stimulation from occurring
Punishment: Occurs when an event
following a response weakens the
tendency to make that response
Instinctive Drift: Occurs when
an animal's innate response
tendencies interfere with
conditioning processes
Observational Learning
Definition: Occurs
when an
organism's
responding is
influenced by the
observation of
others, who are
called models.
Basic Processes:
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
Mirror neurons: Neurons that are
activated by performing an action or
by seeing another monkey or person
perform the same action
Behaviour Modification: A systematic approach to changing behaviour through
the supplication of the principles of conditioning
Antecedents: Events that typically precede the target response