NAEMSE FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING (NCEE EXAM) 2024-2025 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|AGRADE .
Describe main assumptions of the Rescorla-Wagner model of
conditioning.
(a) What produces learning in this model? (i.e., what causes learning
to occur).
(b) What causes learning to stop according to the model?
(c) What is relationship between theoretical increments in associative
strength across training trials and the shape of the empirically
observed learning curve? (in other words, what aspects of
observed data seem to fit with assumptions of the model for initial
acquisition of a behavior). - ANSWER-The main assumptions of
the RescorlaWagner model are:
(1) surprise necessary for learning
(2) surprise determines how much is learned on any given episode
(3) as total knowledge increases, material becomes less 'surprising'
(4) when total knowledge = maximum (material completely
learned), material no longer surprising -> learning stops
a) when what you get != what you expect means SURPRISE
b) when maximum association is achieved/no more surprise
c) early CS-US trials: person still learning CS predicts US (US is still
'surprising") each CS-US trial produces some learning
,later (asymptote): person knows CS perfectly predicts US
(US no longer surprising) additional CS-US trials produce
no new learning
There is a relatively steep learning curve and then a plateau which
mirrors that of observed learning behavior in animals
Write out the Rescorla-Wagner equation and define the variables
within it. - ANSWER-ΔV = k(λ-v) Vcurr = ΔV + Vprev
ΔV is the amount learned on each trial k
is the salience of the CS+ US
λ is the maximum possible association we can make v
is curr total strength of learning at the end of prev trial
V=0 λ=.7 k=.6
Trial 1: ΔV = .6(.7-0) v = .42
Trial 2: ΔV = .6(.7-.42) v = .42 +.17 = .59
Trial 3: ΔV = .6(.7-.59) v =.59 + .07 =.66
Trial 4: ΔV = .6(.7-.66) v =.66 + .02 =.68
Trial 5: ΔV = .6(.7-.68) v =.68 + .01 = .69
Trial 6: ΔV = .6(.7-.69) v =.69 + .01 = .70
Trial 7: ΔV = .6(.7-.70) v =.70 + .00 = .70
When did learning last occur? - ANSWER-Trial 6
, What is the phenomenon known as blocking? - ANSWER-In blocking,
the presence of an established CS interferes with conditioning of a
new CS.
Example: Suppose a light is conditioned as a CS for salivation and is
then paired with a tone to create a compound stimulus. Because the
light is already preconditioned, little or no association will be made to
the tone.
What is the phenomenon known as overshadowing? - ANSWER-In
overshadowing, the more salient member of a compound stimulus is
more readily conditioned as a CS and thereby interferes with the
conditioning of a less salient member.
According to the Rescorla-Wagner model of conditioning, why does
blocking/overshadowing occur? (be able to state this using the
language of the model, and also be able to explain this in plain
English) - ANSWER-The Rescorla Wagner says blocking occurs by:
-US not surprising in Phase 2 for Experimental group because they
have already been pretrained with the first CS. US not surprising = no
learning occurs.
-Lambda is conserved: the 1st CS "used up" all available associative
strength the food US can support. V now = λ . There is no more
associative value (V) left for the Light. The Light -> food association is
blocked / not learned about
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS|AGRADE .
Describe main assumptions of the Rescorla-Wagner model of
conditioning.
(a) What produces learning in this model? (i.e., what causes learning
to occur).
(b) What causes learning to stop according to the model?
(c) What is relationship between theoretical increments in associative
strength across training trials and the shape of the empirically
observed learning curve? (in other words, what aspects of
observed data seem to fit with assumptions of the model for initial
acquisition of a behavior). - ANSWER-The main assumptions of
the RescorlaWagner model are:
(1) surprise necessary for learning
(2) surprise determines how much is learned on any given episode
(3) as total knowledge increases, material becomes less 'surprising'
(4) when total knowledge = maximum (material completely
learned), material no longer surprising -> learning stops
a) when what you get != what you expect means SURPRISE
b) when maximum association is achieved/no more surprise
c) early CS-US trials: person still learning CS predicts US (US is still
'surprising") each CS-US trial produces some learning
,later (asymptote): person knows CS perfectly predicts US
(US no longer surprising) additional CS-US trials produce
no new learning
There is a relatively steep learning curve and then a plateau which
mirrors that of observed learning behavior in animals
Write out the Rescorla-Wagner equation and define the variables
within it. - ANSWER-ΔV = k(λ-v) Vcurr = ΔV + Vprev
ΔV is the amount learned on each trial k
is the salience of the CS+ US
λ is the maximum possible association we can make v
is curr total strength of learning at the end of prev trial
V=0 λ=.7 k=.6
Trial 1: ΔV = .6(.7-0) v = .42
Trial 2: ΔV = .6(.7-.42) v = .42 +.17 = .59
Trial 3: ΔV = .6(.7-.59) v =.59 + .07 =.66
Trial 4: ΔV = .6(.7-.66) v =.66 + .02 =.68
Trial 5: ΔV = .6(.7-.68) v =.68 + .01 = .69
Trial 6: ΔV = .6(.7-.69) v =.69 + .01 = .70
Trial 7: ΔV = .6(.7-.70) v =.70 + .00 = .70
When did learning last occur? - ANSWER-Trial 6
, What is the phenomenon known as blocking? - ANSWER-In blocking,
the presence of an established CS interferes with conditioning of a
new CS.
Example: Suppose a light is conditioned as a CS for salivation and is
then paired with a tone to create a compound stimulus. Because the
light is already preconditioned, little or no association will be made to
the tone.
What is the phenomenon known as overshadowing? - ANSWER-In
overshadowing, the more salient member of a compound stimulus is
more readily conditioned as a CS and thereby interferes with the
conditioning of a less salient member.
According to the Rescorla-Wagner model of conditioning, why does
blocking/overshadowing occur? (be able to state this using the
language of the model, and also be able to explain this in plain
English) - ANSWER-The Rescorla Wagner says blocking occurs by:
-US not surprising in Phase 2 for Experimental group because they
have already been pretrained with the first CS. US not surprising = no
learning occurs.
-Lambda is conserved: the 1st CS "used up" all available associative
strength the food US can support. V now = λ . There is no more
associative value (V) left for the Light. The Light -> food association is
blocked / not learned about
