Theories of Learning, Chapter 1 What is learning?

behavioral potentiality

The ability to perform some act, although the act is not being performed at the present time. Learning may result in a change in behavioral potentiality, although the learning may not be translated into behavior until some time after the learning has taken place.

modified definition of learning

a relatively permanent change in behavior or behavior potentiality that results from experience and cannot be attributed to temporary body states such as those induced by illness, fatigue, or drugs

temporary body states

a temporary condition of the body, such as fatigue illness, emotion, the presence of drugs, or sleep loss, that causes a modification in behavior. such modifications in behavior are differentiated from those caused by learning

short-term memory

also called immediate memory or primary memory; memory of an experience that persists for only a short time after the experience

classical conditioning

an experimental arrangement whereby a stimulus is made to elicit a response that was not previously associated with that stimulus

conditioning

an experimental procedure used to modify behavior

instrumental conditioning

an experimental procedure whereby the rate or probability of a response is changed from one value before conditioning to another value following conditioning; the organism must perform an appropriate response to be reinforced

Skinner box

an experimental test chamber usually consisting of a grid floor, lever, light, and food cup. Used to study instrumental or operant conditioning

reflex

an unlearned response to a specific class of stimuli

homeostatic mechanisms

automatic processes that function to keep the body operating within certain physiological limits, thus maintaining a physiological equilibrium or homeostasis

Why was the term instinct replaced with the term species-specific behavior?

because it is more descriptive

Gange

believes that the eight kinds of learning are arranged in a hierarchy, with one sort being a prerequisite for the next

Give a few examples of complex unlearned behavior. Do you feel that complex unlearned behavior exists on the human level?

birds flying, cuckoo birds laying eggs in other birds nests, squirrels burying nuts; yes

Gregory A. Kimble

defines learning as a relatively permanent change in behavioral potentiality that occurs as a result of reinforced practice

What is meant by the statement "Imprinting seems to result from both learning and instinct"?

it appears that the animal's genetic endowment causes it to be maximally sensitive to a moving object for a short period of time, during which it can learn the strong habit of following that object

Differentiate between learning and performance

learning consists of both competence and performance; performance is the behavior

Differentiate between the terms learning and conditioning

learning is a general term that is used to describe changes in behavior potentiality resulting from experience; conditioning is a more specific term used to describe actual procedures that modify behavior

relatively permanent

neither transitory nor fixed

critical period

period in an organism's life during which an important development occurs. If development does not occur during that time, it may never occur

learning

relatively permanent change in behavior or behavioral potentiality that comes from experience and cannot be attributed to temporary body states such as illness, fatigue, or drugs

reinforced practice

repeated performance under the conditions in which correct response is followed by reinforcement

Describe the process of sensitization and habituation as they have occurred in your life

sensitization: noticing things more habituation: getting used to something to the point you don't notice it anymore

avoidance conditioning

the experimental arrangement whereby an organism can avoid experiencing an aversive stimulus by engaging in appropriate behavior

escape conditioning

the experimental arrangement whereby an organism can terminate an aversive stimulus by engaging in appropriate behavior

instinct

the inborn capacity to perform a complex behavioral task; species-specific behavior

Describe the relationship between learning and survival

the learning process provides an organism with the flexibility it needs to survive under a wide variety of environmental conditions

sensitization

the process whereby an organism is made more responsive to certain aspects of its environment

habituation

the process whereby and organism becomes less responsive to its environment

imprinting

the rapid formation, during a critical period, of a close attachment between an organism and an environmental object

performance

the translation of what has been learned into behavior

intervening variable

theoretical process that is assumed to take place between the observed stimuli and responses

How many kinds of learning are there?

there can be two types of learning, instrumental and classical, similar to the two types of conditioning

Give a few reasons why it is important to study the learning process

to understand why we behave as we do, to allow greater understanding of normal and adaptive behavior and of circumstances that produce maladaptive and abnormal behavior, to improve child-rearing practices and educational practices