LEARNING SUMMARY OF TERMS

CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
Involves the association between
two stimuli that are normally
unrelated

UNCONDITIONED STIMULUS UNCONDITIONED RESPONSE

(UCS) (UCR)

Stimulus that automatically Unlearned, automatic response

triggers a response to the UCS

CONDITIONED STIMULUS (CS) CONDITIONED RESPONSE (CR)

Originally neutral stimulus that Learned response to a previously

becomes associated with the UCS neutral conditioned stimulus.
and therefore triggers a
conditioned response.

CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
TERMS

ACQUISITION & PERFORMANCE EXTINCTION

Acquisition: the initial pairing of the UCS Occurs when a CS is presented without the
and NS to produce the UCR UCS causing the CR to weaken and

Performance: CR is produced due to the CS eventually stop occurring.

without the UCS being present
SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY
PREPAREDNESS The reappearance of a previously

Certain association learned more readily than extinguished CR after a period of time has
others. One trial learning. passed following extinction
 LEARNING SUMMARY OF TERMS

STIMULUS GENERALISATION STIMULUS DISCRIMINATION

Tendency for stimuli similar to the Learning a conditioned response only to a
conditioned stimulus to evoke similar specific conditioned stimulus.
responses

CONTIGUITY
Time interval in the CS - UCS connection
(Classical Conditioning is most effective
when the time interval is small – 0.5
seconds)
CONTINGENCY
Predictability of occurrence of one
stimulus from the presence of another
(CS & UCS need to be consistent)

SYSTEMATIC
DESENSITISATION
Aims to reduce conditioned
response (anxiety) by establishing
an unsuited response to the
conditioned stimulus (phobia)

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3

Relaxation techniques Develop anxiety hierarchy Paring relaxation techniques
with situations on anxiety
(Least threatening to most hierarchy.
threatening situation)
 LEARNING SUMMARY OF TERMS

OPERANT
CONDITIONING
The process of shaping
voluntary (operant)
behaviour by means of
reinforcement and
punishment

REINFORCEMENT
Increase frequency and strength
of desired behaviour

POSITIVE NEGATIVE
REINFORCEMENT REINFORCEMENT
Pleasant stimulus occurring after Unpleasant stimulus removed by
a behaviour a behaviour
E.g. training a dog to sit with food E.g. Taking a Panadol to remove a
headache

Important: the reinforced

behaviour MUST continue in
order for it to be reinforcement.

PUNISHMENT
Reduces frequency and strength
of undesired behaviour

AVERSIVE PUNISHMENT RESPONSE COST

Unpleasant (aversive) stimulus Pleasant stimulus removed after
occurring after an undesirable
behaviour. E.g. Speeding fines an undesirable behaviour
E.g. Getting license taken away
 LEARNING SUMMARY OF TERMS

CONTIGUITY CONTINGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The time interval between the Predictability of occurrence of one Associations that are learned more
reinforcement/punishment and the stimulus from the presence of readily/easily than others.
target behaviour. another.

ACQUISITION PERFORMANCE
The process of reinforcing/punishing Behaviour continues/reduces without
SCHEDULES reinforcer/punisher
targeted behaviour in operant OF being given.
conditioning.
REINFORCEMENT

FIXED INTERVAL FIXED RATIO VARIABLE VARIABLE RATIO

INTERVAL
Reinforcer given after Reinforcer given after Reinforcer given after a
specific time period specific number of Reinforcer given after random number of
responses random time period responses

CONTINUOUS
REINFORCEMENT

Reinforcer given after every single

behaviour shown

PLACEBO EFFECT
A phenomenon that occurs when a person
believes he, she or they are receiving real
treatment and reports an improvement in
his, her or their condition.

OBSERVATIONAL
LEARNING
Based on the principles of
learning through observation of
others performing the desired
behaviour.
 LEARNING SUMMARY OF TERMS

FOUR MAIN FACTORS

(ARRM)

ATTENTION RETENTION REPRODUCTION MOTIVATION

Observers watch and pay Observer codes observed Observer must be able to Observer expects
attention to the model’s behaviour information reproduce model’s positive reinforcement
behaviour into long term memory behaviour for modelled behaviour

OTHER FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE

OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING

Gender of Social Status of Relationship Consequences

model the model between model and after models
observer behaviour

MIRROR NEURONS
A type of brain cell that respond equally
when we perform an action and when
we witness someone else perform the
same action.

LEARNED
HELPLESSNESS
Results when a person or animal
in prevented repeatedly from
avoiding some aversive stimulus
 LEARNING SUMMARY OF TERMS

BEHAVIOUR
MODIFICATION
Uses reinforcement to modify
and shape a desired behaviour

THREE STEPS

Establish desired Establish Start Program

behaviour goal reinforcement

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR
THERAPY
Cognitive therapy aims to help the client to
become aware of thought distortions which are
causing psychological distress, and of behavioural
patterns which are reinforcing it, and to correct
them.
PERSONAL
DIFFERENCES IN
LEARNING

Personal Characteristics Academic Characteristics Social/emotional Characteristics

Cognitive Characteristics
 LEARNING SUMMARY OF TERMS

METHODS OF
ASSESSMENT

OBJECTIVE SUBJECTIVE QUALITATIVE

QUANTITATIVE
Behaviour counts (how many times
a learnt behaviour is demonstrated),
Physiological responses (how
fearful/nervous someone is) etc.
QUANTITATIVE Focus groups, Delphi technique,
interviews, pictures etc.
Rating scales, subjective
questionnaires etc.
ETHICS

Voluntary Informed Confidentiality Deception Debriefing General

Participation Consent wellbeing/fairness