Learning: Classical and Operant Conditioning

learning

learning

relatively permanent change in behaviour due to experience

conditioning

behaviours learnt through interactions with the environment

classical conditioning

• form of learning

• occurs through repeated association of two or more different stimuli

• learn to associate two events to the point where one stands for the other in our minds

stimulus

event that causes a response

response

• reaction by organism to stimulus

• involuntary reflex in classical conditioning

• passive learner

conditioned

something that has been learnt

unconditioned

something that occurs naturally, no learning taking place

unconditioned stimulus

naturally produces a response or reflex

unconditioned response

occurs automatically when a UCS is present

neutral stimulus

a stimulus that did not provoke a response prior to learning

conditioned stimulus

once neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus after numerous parings with the UCS

conditioned response

learnt reflex response to neutral stimulus/conditioned stimulus

classical conditioning example

Dog going for a walk? Gets excited by you putting your runners on

UCS = going for a walk

UCR = excitement due to the walk

CS = putting on runners

CR = excitement due to the shoes

pavlovs dog

stimulus of food produced salivation response

sound of bell indicated arrival of food —> became stimulus that initiated salivation

learnt to associate bell with food

proved that form of learning based on repeated association of stimuli existed

Before conditioning (three phase model)

The (UCS) produces (UCR). the (NS) produces no relevant response.

During conditioning (three phrase model)

The (NS) is repeatedly presented immediately before the (UCS) and the UCS produces the (UCR)

After Conditioning (three phase model)

the (NS) becomes the CS since on its own it produces the CR

Operant

• set of responses that occurs in the absence of any stimulus

• voluntary behaviour

Operant conditioning

• repeat/recreate behaviour that has desirable consequences

• Type of learning by which the likelihood of a particular behaviour occurring is determined by the consequences of that behaviour

Reinforcement (what happens)

Behaviour is strengthened, consequence is desireable

Punishment

Behaviour is weakened, consequence is undesirable

three phase model of operant conditioning

A = antecedent (what happened before/what triggers it)
B = behaviour (what happens/what action is occurring)
C = consequences (what happens after the behaviour)

example:

A = feel cold B = put on a jumper C = feel warm

Reinforcement

stimulus that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a response (behaviour) that it follows

Reinforcer

• Stimulus that changes the probability that an operant behaviour will occur again

• Increases likelihood of response occurring

• Comes after response + makes it stronger

Positive Reinforcement

PLUS something GOOD

• strengthens response by providing pleasant consequence after desired response; money grades etc

Negative Reinforcement

MINUS something BAD

• strengthens a response by the reduction or removal of an unpleasant stimulus; taking panadol for headache

skinner box (what is it)

small chamber

experimental animal learns to make a response

consequences are controlled (lever that delivers food/water)

skinner operant conditioning

hungry rat placed in box frantically accidentally pressing lever (dispensing food) and doing it again

kept happening with more consistent pressing and rewards

rewards became reinforcers for the behaviour

Order of presentation (reinforcement)

Needs to occur after desired response so organism associates reinforcement with behaviour

Timing (reinforcement)

Needs to occur as close in time to desired response

Appropriateness of reinforcer (reinforcement)

Provide a pleasant or satisfying consequence for recipient

Punishment

Delivery of unpleasant consequence following a response or removal of pleasant consequence following a response

Punisher

Unpleasant stimulus that when paired with response weakens response or decreases response rate

• Reduces unwanted behaviour

Positive Punishment

ADD something BAD

• Presentation of unpleasant stimulus that decreases likelihood of response

Negative Punishment

MINUS something GOOD

• removal of stimulus therefore decreasing likelihood of response occurring again

• Pleasant stimulus is removed