Learning and Behavior: Study Notes

Learning and Behavior: Study Notes

• Law of Parsimony: Simpler explanations are preferred over complex ones when multiple explanations are possible.

Measures of Behavior/Research Methods

• Operational definitions: Precise, measurable definitions for abstract concepts. Crucial for clarity in research.
• Duration: The length of time a behavior lasts.
• Speed: The rate at which a behavior occurs.
• Latency: The time between a stimulus and a response.
• Rate: Frequency of a behavior per unit of time.
• Topography: The form or shape of a behavior.
• Number of errors: The number of incorrect responses.
• Intensity: The strength, force, or magnitude of a behavior.
• Interval recording: Recording whether a behavior occurred during specific time intervals.
• Time sampling recording: Observing and recording behavior at specific time intervals. Helpful for observing behaviors that occur intermittently.
• Elicited behavior: Behaviors triggered by a specific stimulus.
• Habituation: Decreased response to a repeated stimulus.
• Sensitization: Increased response to a repeated stimulus.
• Dishabituation: Revival of a habituated response by introducing a novel stimulus.
• Spontaneous recovery: Reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a rest period.
• Opponent process theory: Explains emotional responses in terms of opposing processes. Opponent process theory graphs and concepts should be studied.

Classical Conditioning

• Conditioned vs unconditioned stimuli/responses: Unconditioned stimuli automatically elicit a response, while conditioned stimuli elicit a response after learning. Note US/UR/CS/CR pairs.
• Temporal conditioning: Pairing a stimulus with a time interval to create a conditioned response.
• Suppression ratio: A measure of conditioned inhibition (e.g. fearful response suppression by pairing with a CS).
• Generalization vs discrimination: Generalization is responding similarly to similar stimuli, and discrimination is responding differently to different stimuli.
• Higher-order conditioning: Conditioning a response to a stimulus that was previously associated with a conditioned stimulus.
• Sensory preconditioning: Pairing two stimuli together which later become associated.
• Blocking: A prior conditioning prevents further conditioning.
• Overshadowing: A more salient stimulus in a compound stimulus overshadows the conditioning to a less salient stimulus.
• Latent inhibition: Pre-exposure to a stimulus reduces its ability to become a conditioned stimulus.
• Phobia establishment factors: Key factors that can lead to the development of phobias should be understood.
• Counterconditioning/flooding: Therapeutic techniques for reversing phobias by pairing a conditioned stimulus with a new response or by prolonged exposure.
• Extinction: Weakening of a learned association through the removal of the reinforcement.
• Extinction side effects: Possible negative consequences of extinction or a lack of it are key.
• Factors of resistance to extinction: Features of learned associations that contribute to their durability and resistance to being extinguished.

Operant Conditioning

• Discriminative stimulus (SD): A stimulus that signals either the availability or non-availability of reinforcement for a response.
• Reinforcement (positive/negative): Strengthening of a behavior through positive or negative consequences.
• Punishment (positive/negative): Weakening of a behavior through positive or negative consequences.
• Immediate vs delayed reinforcement/punishment: The timing of consequences affects their effectiveness.
• Primary vs secondary reinforcement/punishment: Primary reinforcers satisfy basic needs, and secondary reinforcers gain value through association with primary reinforcers.
• Generalized reinforcement/punishment: Reinforcers/punishment that are effective for many types of behaviors or reactions.
• Intrinsic vs extrinsic reinforcement: Intrinsic motivation comes from within, while extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards.
• Contrived vs Natural reinforcement: Contrived are set up by humans, natural are part of normal living.
• Schedules of reinforcement: Fixed ratio (FR), variable ratio (VR), fixed interval (FI), variable interval (VI), fixed duration (FD), variable duration (VD), and others.
• Differential reinforcement of high rates (DRH), low rates (DRL), paced responding (DRP): Shaping behavior by reinforcing specific rates of responding.
• Fixed time (FT) and variable time (VT): Different types of schedules based on time rather than responses.
• Incentive motivation: Motivation based on anticipated rewards.
• Premack principle of reinforcement: A more preferred activity can reinforce a less preferred activity.
• Response deprivation hypothesis: Restricting access to a behavior increases its reinforcing value.
• Drive reduction theory: The satisfaction of basic drives (needs) is reinforcing.
• Bliss point: The optimal combination of activities and their frequency to maximize reinforcement.

Extinction

• Side effects: Potential problems associated with extinction should be understood.

Resistance to Extinction Factors

• Potential issues influencing how long it takes to extinguish a behavior or response.

Differential Reinforcement

• Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO): Reinforcing other behaviors besides the target problematic behavior.
• Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI): Reinforcing responses that are fundamentally incompatible with the target problematic behavior.

Peak shift graphs and concepts

• Study graphs and principles relating to shift in preference due to certain conditioning.

Positive/Negative Behavioral Contrasts

• Contrasts between increases and decreases in behavior should not be overlooked.

Factors of Effective Punishment

• Elements related to how punishment works and how it can be applied effectively.

Premack Principle of Punishment

• Implications for how punishment related to frequency of behaviors can affect the organism.

Avoidance and Escape Behaviors (Study in detail)

• Key aspects and implications for behavioral changes.

Matching Law

• The matching law and its relationship to responses and outcomes should be understood. Be able to apply this concept mathematically to situations.
• Undermatching, Overmatching, Bias: Variations in the relationship between reinforcement and responding.

Self-Control and Rule-Governed Behavior

• Physical restraint, Commitment response: Methods to enhance self-control.
• Methods of self-control, Ainslie-Rachlin graphs and concepts, Personal rules: These should be deeply understood.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

• Goals of ABA, Functional assessment, Functional analysis: Study these fundamental concepts.
• Alone session, Attention session, Demand session, Tangible session, Toy play session: Different conditions used in functional analyses.
• Note that functional analysis graphs is a critical aspect of these processes and needs to be thoroughly understood.

Animal Training

• Key concepts and techniques in animal training.
• Bridge, Target pole: Essential for understanding training methods.

Comparative Cognition

• Anthropomorphism, Associative learning, Social learning, Contagion, Stimulus and place enhancement, Imitation, Emulation: Key concepts in animal cognition.

Teaching

• Teaching principles

Theory of Mind

• Referential calling: Components of the theory of mind discussed in this context.

Explore the foundational concepts related to learning and behavior, including key research methods and measures of behavior. This quiz emphasizes operational definitions, behavioral measures, and the principles governing behavior analysis. Brush up on your knowledge and ensure clarity in your research understanding.