Learning and Forgetting
Learning
Definition
relatively durable / lasting change in behaviour that is not the result of maturation, acquiring of new knowledge, skills brought about by experience
Determinants
- Needs
- State
- Preferred Learning Styles
Theories of Learning:
(a) Classical Conditioning
- Ivan Pavlov, Russian Physiologist
- Type of conditioning where a neutral (conditioned) stimulus replaces the natural (unconditioned) stimulus, i.e., the conditioned stimulus elicits the same response as the natural stimulus. unconditioned response -> conditioned response
- Bell ringing experiment, saliva, measured
Factors -
a. Extinction b. Spontaneous Recovery c. Stimulus Generalization d. Stimulus Discrimination e. Higher Order Conditioning
Watson -> Little Albert; toy, sound, induce fear
(b) Operant Conditioning
-
BF Skinner
-
Increases chances of particular behaviour by reinforcement
-
voluntary
-
Skinner Box
Types of Reinforcement - a. Positive - adding stimuli causes rate ^ b. Negative - removing stimuli causes the rate ^ c. Primary - Natural, aids survival d. Secondary - Learnt/reinforced
Schedules of reinforcement a. Continuous - reinforced every time b. Partial - not every time
Partial reinforcement is of 4 types ->
- Fixed-interval schedules: Reinforcing after a specific period of time
- Fixed-ratio schedules: Reinforcing after a specific number of responses
- Variable-interval schedules: Reinforcing after an unpredictable period of time
- Variable-ratio schedules: Reinforcing after an unpredictable number of responses
Punishment
- DECREASE chances of behaviour Positive Punishment Negative Punishment
classical conditioning depends on developing associations whereas operant conditioning depends on consequences
Law of Effect
Edward Thorndike Cats any behavior that is followed by pleasant consequences = increase behaviour will stop when consequences stop
(c) Insight learning
- A ha! moment
- perceptual reorganization after few trials
- sudden realization of solution
Memory
Definition
Memory = encode, store and retrieve info to organize and store information, ready for retrieval when needed
Memory process
Encode -> Storage -> Retrieval
Memory Models:
Atkinson and Shiffrin model,
Neural Network Models
Types of Memory โ
Sensory,
STM /Working
Long Term
graph TB a(Long Term Memory) --> b(Implicit) a --> c(Explicit) b -->d(aka Procedural Memory.
Does not need conscious recollection) c -->e(aka Declarative Memory.
Needs conscious recollection. Biographic memory)-->e1(Episodic or autobiographical) e-->e2(Semantic or factual)
Rehearsal
- Maintenance Rehearsal / Rote Learning
- Elaborative Rehearsal -> Meaningful; remember for longer
Memory Enhancing Strategies
- Mnemonics
- Chunking
- Rehearsal
FORGETTING:
Defn - Forgetting isย the loss or change in information that was previously stored in short-term or long-term memory. It can occur suddenly or it can occur gradually
Reasons for Forgetting /Theories of forgetting:
Trace decay theory,
memory trace = neural pathway; strengthens with use, fades with disuse | Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve
Encoding failure theory
wasn't encoded properly, fault in first stage
Displacement theory
loss in short term memory; when new info comes in old is lost
Retrieval-failure theory,
tip of the tongue effect, memory is there but diff w recall due to lack of retrieval cues.
Retrieval cues -
- state-dependent - context-dependent - semantic
Interference theory.
- proactive - new memories are prevented by old memories e.g. writing old year instead of current year
- retroactive - old memories are altered by new ones e.g. Learning a new language and using that with old language
graph TB subgraph LR direction LR a[sensory register]-->b[STM]--Rehearsal-->c[LTM] b--rehearsal loop-->b c--Retrieval-->b end subgraph TB direction TB b-->d(Recall) end
see also: ../Learning and Memory Flashcards zettelkasten