Learning Theories and Non-Associative Learning

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Questions and Answers

What does extinction refer to in the context of learned responses?

The immediate recovery of learned behavior after a break

The permanent loss of learned behavior

A decrease in response when stimulus pairing is not available (correct)

The reinforcement of responses after stimuli exposure

Which of the following statements about spontaneous recovery is true?

It leads to stronger conditioned responses.

It refers to the sudden reappearance of extinguished responses after a time period. (correct)

It indicates a permanent loss of conditioned behavior.

It occurs immediately after extinction without any delay.

Counter conditioning is best described as:

Reinforcing a previously undesirable response

A method used solely in operant conditioning

Extinguishing a learned response through punishment

Introducing a new conditioned stimulus in place of a previously conditioned one (correct)

What characterizes non-associative learning?

It is based on single events rather than pairings. Signup and view all the answers

How is latent inhibition characterized?

A delay in learning due to prior exposure to a conditioned stimulus Signup and view all the answers

How does habituation affect response to stimuli over time?

It leads to a reduction in response over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of faster extinction regarding learned behaviors?

It may imply a weaker learned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of sensitization?

Increased response to specific stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

In the example of systematic desensitization for a phobia of flying, what is the primary goal?

To gradually replace fear with relaxation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates the process of habituation?

Ignoring a car alarm that frequently goes off. Signup and view all the answers

Which situation exemplifies sensitization?

A resident becomes more anxious after a series of break-ins. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'learned responses' specifically refer to?

Conditioned behaviors that develop through experience Signup and view all the answers

In the context of behavioral therapy, aversion therapy focuses on:

Conditioning individuals to associate negative feelings with undesired behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between habituation and sensitization?

Habituation leads to reduced responsiveness; sensitization leads to heightened responsiveness. Signup and view all the answers

How does repeated stimulation impact the organism in habituation?

It reduces the organism's awareness of danger. Signup and view all the answers

In the example of sensitization, what reaction pattern follows the increase in crime?

The person becomes more careful and alert to car alarms. Signup and view all the answers

What technique involves using imagined unpleasant outcomes to discourage unwanted behavior?

Covert sensitization Signup and view all the answers

In operant conditioning, what is the primary goal of aversive conditioning?

To reduce the frequency of an undesired behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which operant conditioning technique involves prolonged exposure to a feared stimulus to reduce anxiety?

Flooding Signup and view all the answers

What does chaining in operant conditioning refer to?

Reinforcing a sequence of related behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of avoidance learning?

It involves learning to escape or avoid certain situations Signup and view all the answers

In covert reinforcement, how is the reinforcer conceptualized?

As an imagined pleasant event Signup and view all the answers

What is escape conditioning primarily associated with?

Avoiding environments that trigger panic Signup and view all the answers

Which concept involves reinforcing a previously established behavior by using each action to cue the next?

Chaining Signup and view all the answers

What is the law of effect primarily associated with?

Behavioral consequences influencing future actions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a positive punishment?

Being given extra chores for poor grades Signup and view all the answers

In operant conditioning, what distinguishes primary reinforcers from secondary reinforcers?

Primary reinforcers are always biological needs, while secondary reinforcers are not. Signup and view all the answers

Which reinforcement schedule is typically the most effective for maintaining behavior over time?

Variable ratio reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates Premack's principle?

Offering extra playtime after completing homework Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is associated with negative reinforcement?

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to encourage a behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about intermittent reinforcement is true?

It produces behavior that is more resistant to extinction compared to continuous reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that differentiates fixed interval reinforcement from variable interval reinforcement?

Variable interval schedules reward behavior after unpredictable durations. Signup and view all the answers

What factor enhances the effectiveness of punishment in behavior modification?

It is administered more consistently. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect differentiates social learning theory from traditional behaviorism?

Cognition plays a role in learning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical first step in cognitive processing during social learning?

Attention to the observed behavior. Signup and view all the answers

In Bandura's theory, what does reciprocal causation involve?

The individual, behavior, and environment influencing each other. Signup and view all the answers

What did Tolman’s concept of cognitive learning demonstrate about reinforcement?

It is only necessary for performance, not for learning itself. Signup and view all the answers

How does insight learning, as proposed by Kohler, differ from associative learning?

It is purely cognitive and sudden. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn from Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment?

Learning can occur without direct reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What role do expectations play in social learning according to cognitive theorists?

They can significantly influence behaviors displayed. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gagne’s hierarchy of learning emphasize in relation to basic and complex learning?

Basic learning steps are crucial for complex learning. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of verbal association in the context of memory and learning?

Connecting and remembering words through associations. Signup and view all the answers

In discrimination learning, the main goal is to help individuals:

Distinguish between different stimuli and their responses. Signup and view all the answers

Concept learning theory aims to aid cognitive organization by helping individuals:

Recognize patterns and group items into categories. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of problem-solving learning theory?

Developing strategies for identifying and resolving issues. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following brain structures is NOT typically associated with the neurobiological basis of learning?

Amygdala Signup and view all the answers

What neurochemical changes are noted during the learning process?

Changes in neuronal ability to release transmitters and impulses. Signup and view all the answers

Animal experiments have shown which of the following during learning?

Increase in synaptic connections and changes in brain volume. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Theories - Psychological Overview

Learning is defined as a relatively lasting change in behavior resulting from a single or repeated experience.
Learning theories include classical and operant conditioning, behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.
These theories are used to understand how people learn and to improve education and real-world problem-solving.

Non-Associative Learning

These are simple forms of learning in which only single environmental events are studied.
Habituation involves a reduction in response over time to repeated stimulation as the organism learns the stimulus.
Sensitization is an increase in response to a stimulus as a function of repeated presentations.

Examples of Non-Associative Learning

Habituation: Getting used to a repeated sound, like a car alarm in a neighborhood.
Sensitization: Increased fear or anxiety in response to repeated alarming events, such as rising crime in a neighborhood.

Pseudoconditioning (Cross-Sensitization)

The emergence of a response to a previously neutral stimulus as a result of exposures to a different, powerful stimulus.
A neutral stimulus becomes associated with the powerful stimulus through repeated exposure.

Examples of Pseudoconditioning

A dog's fear response generalizes from an aggressive dog to a friendly dog if they are frequently seen together.

Associative Learning

Learning occurs through the association of two or more events.
Classical conditioning involves learning through repeated temporal association of two events. The learner passively responds.
Operant conditioning associates an action with its consequences, involving the learner actively in the process.

Classical Conditioning (Pavlov's)

Neutral stimulus paired with UCS; neutral stimulus now evokes a response (CR)
UCS naturally evokes a UCR
Key figures: Ivan Pavlov

Key Concepts in Classical Conditioning:

UCS (Unconditioned Stimulus): A stimulus that naturally triggers a response.
UCR (Unconditioned Response): The natural, automatic response to the UCS.
NS (Neutral Stimulus): A stimulus that initially does not elicit a response.
CS (Conditioned Stimulus): The originally neutral stimulus that, after association with the UCS, now triggers a response.
CR (Conditioned Response): The learned response to the CS.

Examples of Classical Conditioning

Studying (bell ringing) = Food (UCS) = Salivation (UCR)
Bell (CS) = Salivation (CR)

Temporal contiguity: Time between stimulus and response. Predictability (predictable relationship more important).
Higher-order conditioning: Using a conditioned stimulus as an unconditioned stimulus in subsequent pairings.
Stimulus generalization & Discrimination. Stimulus generalization is the learned response to stimuli similar to the CS. Stimulus discrimination is the ability to distinguish between the CS and other similar stimuli, responding differently to each.
Extinction: Weakening of the conditioned response when the CS is presented without the UCS.
Spontaneous recovery: Reappearance of the extinguished CR after a rest period.

Counter Conditioning

Replacing a previously conditioned response with a new, more desirable response.
Systematic desensitization: Gradually expose individuals to feared stimuli in a controlled environment, paired with relaxation responses.
Useful for phobias(and other anxiety disorders).

Operant Conditioning

Learning by associating a behavior with its consequences.
In operant conditioning, the learning organism actively operates on its environment.

Operant Conditioning Principles

Reinforcement: Increases the frequency of a behavior.
- Positive reinforcement: Presenting a desirable stimulus.
- Negative reinforcement: Removing an unpleasant stimulus.
Punishment: Decreases the frequency of a behavior.
- Positive punishment: Presenting an unpleasant stimulus.
- Negative punishment: Removing a desirable stimulus.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Continuous: Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs (quick learning but quickly extinguished).
Partial: Reinforcing a behavior only some of the time (more resistant to extinction).
Fixed-ratio, variable-ratio, fixed-interval, variable-interval

Other Operant Conditioning Concepts

Latent inhibition: Delay in learning due to prior exposure to the CS.
Incubation: Emotional response increases if briefly exposed repeatedly.
Stimulus preparedness: Biological factors predispose us to learn certain associations more easily.
Learned helplessness: Repeated exposure to uncontrollable aversive events leads to passivity and diminished response.

Learning by watching others and their consequences.

Attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation.

Cognitive Learning Theory

Learning may not require reinforcement; rats learn maze layouts (cognitive maps).
Insight learning (Kohler): Sudden understanding, a sudden change in behavior due to problem-solving. Learned suddenly.

Hierarchy of Learning

Simple to complex skills. Stages in learning hierarchy (Gagne).

Verbal Association

Connecting and remembering words or concepts by associating them.

Discrimination Learning

Recognizing and responding differently to different stimuli and situations.

Concept Learning

Developing mental categories to process information.

Rule Learning

Learning guidelines or steps in various situations

Problem-Solving Learning

Identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex problems.
Using logical steps to find solutions

Neuroscience of Learning

Learning involves changes in the brain (neurochemical, anatomical changes).

Reciprocal Causation

Behaviors, the environment, and the person influence each other in a dynamic relationship.

Flooding

Overexposure to feared stimuli in a controlled environment to extinguish anxieties.

Implosion

Imagined exposure to feared stimuli, used for anxiety disorders.

Chaining

Reinforcing a series of related behaviours.

Additional Concepts

Escape conditioning: Learning to escape an unpleasant stimulus.
Aversive conditioning: Using unpleasant stimuli to reduce undesired behaviors.
Covert reinforcement: Mentally picturing pleasant consequences.
Covert sensitization: Mentally picturing unpleasant consequences to reduce undesirable behaviors.

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Description

Explore the essential learning theories including classical and operant conditioning as well as non-associative learning concepts like habituation and sensitization. This quiz covers the psychological overview of how learning occurs and the implications for education and behavior. Test your understanding of these fundamental concepts and their real-world applications.