Learning
Definition: Learning refers to the process where experience results in a lasting change in behavior or mental processes
Perspective on Learning
Behaviourist Perspective ~ Change in behavior, due to external
(environmental) stimuli
Cognitivist Perspective ~ Internal mental process dealing with cognitive structuring
Classical Conditioning ~ a stimuli that produces an innate reflex through association.
Essential Pricinples
Basic Features
Acquisition ~ initial learning stage
Spontaneous Recovery ~ reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a time delay
Neutral Stimulus ~ stimulus with no conditioned response prior to learning
Unconditioned Response (UCR) ~ response elicited by an unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus (CS) ~ previously neutral stimulus that comes to elicit a conditional response
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) ~ stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response
Conditional Response (CR) ~ response elicited by a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with conditioned stimulus
Extinction ~ weakening of conditioned association in the absense of an unconditioned stimulus or reinforcer
Stimuli Generalisation ~ involves giving a conditioned response to stimuli that are similar to the CS
Stimuli Discrimination ~ involves responding to one stimulus but not to similar stimuli
Operant Conditioning ~ consequences of behaviour, such as rewards and punishments, influence the probabilitiy of reoccuring behaviour
Examples
Trial-and-error learning ~ learner gradually discovers the correct response by attempting many behaviours and noting which ones produces the desired consequences
Principles
Reward ~ condition that follows and strengthen a response
Shaping ~ used to train behaviuours with a low probability of occuring spontaneously
Reinforcement ~ strengthen or increase the probability of a response
Punishment ~ weakens or decreases the probabilitity of a response
Timing of Reinforcements
Continuous Reinforcement ~ reinforcement schedule in which all correct responses are reinforced
Partial (intermittent) reinforcement ~ reinforcement schedule in which some, but not all, correct responses are reinforced
Ratio Schedule ~ provides reward after a certain number of responses
Interval Schedules ~ provide reward after a certain time interval
Types of Reinforcements
Primary Reinforcers ~ fulfilling basic biological needs or desires, such as food, that have an innate basis to an organism
Secondary (conditioned) reinforcers ~ stimuli acquired through reinforing power by their learned association with primary reinforcers (eg, money)
Positive reinforces ~ addition of a pleasant stimuli after a response to increase the probability of that occurance
Negative reinforcers ~ removal of an unpleasant stimulus after a response that increase the probability of occurance
Variations
Variable Ratio (VR) ~ rewards appear after a certain number of responses, but number varies from trial to trial
Fixed Interval (FI) ~ rewards appear after a certain fixed amoung ot time, regardless of responses
Fixed Ratio (FR) ~ rewards appear after a set number of responses
Variable Interval (VI) ~ rewards appear after a certain amount of time, but the amount varies from trial to trial
Types of Punishment
Positive Punishment ~ application or presentation of an aversive stimulus after a response that decrease the probability of that response
Negative Punishment ~ removal of an attractive stimulus after a response that decrease the probability of that response
Cognitive Learning ~ changes in mental processes, rather than solely behaviour
Types
Insight Learning ~ problem solving occurs by suddening perceiving new forms or relationships
Cognitive maps ~ a mental image used to navigate through a familiar environment
Latent Learning ~ learning without reinforcement and without any hint that learning took place
Observational learning (social learning) ~ new responses are acquired after watching others' behaviour and consequences of their behaviour