Chapter 6: learning (2)

Operant Conditioning

shapes behaviour through the consequences of voluntary responses (e.g. studying to get a good grade).

Differences between OC & CC

CC- controlled by stimuli that PRECEDE responses. Regulates reflexive, INVOLUNTARY responses

OC- CONSEQUENCES of VOLUNTARY responses

Skinner

◦“Law of effect”
◦Rewarded behavior is more likely to re-occur

Reinforcement

◦Follows a response and makes it more likely to occur again
◦Primary vs. secondary

Primary Reinforcers

◦Directly influence biological needs
◦Food, warmth, removal of pain, etc.

Secondary Reinforcers

◦Indirectly influence biological needs
◦These associations are learned and vary by species

To Increase a response

◦Positive reinforcement = the response is followed by rewarding stimulus

◦Negative reinforcement = the response is followed by removal of an aversive stimulus

To Decrease a response

◦Punishment
◦E.g. Inflicting pain; being laughed at

Postive vs Negative Reinforcement

Punishment

◦Negative consequences following undesired behavior
◦Has drawbacks when used in isolation

Instead of Punishment

◦Remove privileges with an explanation
◦Use alongside positive reinforcement

Gaining Self control

Self-Guided Behavioural Modification

1) Identify which behaviour(s) to change
◦Be concrete
2) Monitor your current habits
◦Count/ monitor on a daily basis
3) Take a hard look at your triggers and consequences
◦Determine personally meaningful reinforcements/punishments

Self-Guided Behavioural Modification (2)

4) Begin your program!
◦The goal is to increase or decrease a specific behaviour by
manipulating situations and reward/punishment contingencies
5) Continue to track on a daily basis
◦Keep records of changes
◦Modify your plan if you aren’t getting results

Bandura’s Bobo-Doll Experiments (1961-1963)

3-5 yr. old children in 4 experimental conditions:
1) Live, aggressive model
2) Filmed, aggressive model
3) Cartoons with aggressive acts
4) No exposure to aggression (control condition)

Bobo-Doll Result

◦Groups 1, 2 & 3 showed significantly greater no. of aggressive
acts (i.e. hits against bobo doll) than the control condition

Bandura

◦Bobo-Doll Experiments
◦ 3-5 yr. old children exposed to aggressive models
◦Learning can occur through observation and imitation (i.e. without conditioning or direct reinforcement)

Mirror Neurons

•An accidental discovery during a reaching/grasping study.
•Neural basis of imitation: these neurons fire when you see someone else do something you can (or could potentially) do.
•Why some people are die-hard sports fans.
•Basis for Empathy*

Observational Learning in Apes