Learning Theories

A motor or neural reaction to a specific stimulus in the environment

reflexes

innate behaviors that are triggered by a broader range of events

instincts

behaviorism

Two types of unlearned behaviors

instincts and reflexes

Definition of Learning

Enduring changes in behavior due to experiences

Behaviorist perspective

Psychology is a science, should focus on observable behavior

Conditioning is

the basis of learning

The learning of associations

conditioning

2 ways of conditioning

classical and operant

classical conditioning

associating 2 stimuli

operative conditioning

associating responses and consequences

Learning differences between classical and operant conditioning

Operant is active, Classical is passive

Response differences between classical and operant conditioning

Operant is voluntary, classical is involuntary

Operant conditioning requires

more active, thinking organism

Stimulus is an

external thing or event

Definition of classical conditioning

Things in environment reflexively evoke response uncontrolled. Neutral response is paired with uncontrolled response. Controlled stimulus elicits a controlled response.

Classical response of requires

2-3 neurons

classic conditioning is

evolutionary vital

Classic conditioning examples

Phobias, Aversions, Likes and Fetishes

Classical conditioning timeline

Acquisition (CS and US), extinction (CS), spontaneous recovery (CR)

Stimulus generalizations

stimulus similar to conditioned stimulus elicits response

Discrimination

can distinguish between stimuli

High order conditioning

Another CS paired to original CS

Aversive (Counter) conditioning

Pair new US to old CS to change CR

Aversive conditioning example

cigs - CR feels good

cig + shock -UR pain

cig - CR pain

Operant conditioning

behaviors change based on consequences

Law of Effect:

Thorndike, satisfying state of affairs repeated

Skinner:

Operant conditioning

Types of consequences

Positive, negative, reinforcers, punishment

positive, reinforcer

get money for doing chores

positive, punishment

getting spanked for not doing chores

negative reinforcer

get rid of mom yapping after you do chores

negative punishment

Car keys taken for not doing chores

Positive consequence

something added, reward

Negative consequence

something taken away

Reinforcers

increase likelihood of doing behavior

punishers

decrease likelihood of doing behavior

Immediate reinforcement is

more powerful than delayed

Continuous operant conditioning

rapid learning, but rapid extinction

Partial operant conditioning

slow learning, resistance to extinction

Types of partial reinforcement

Interval vs Ratio, Fixed vs Variable.

Fixed ratio:

response is reinforced with a reward or punishment after a set number of responses have occurred.

Variable ratio:

a response is reinforced after an unpredictable rather than set number of instances of the behavior have occurred.

Fixed interval:

reinforcements that occur after an amount of time has passed rather than an amount of instances of the behavior.

Variable interval:

a response is reinforced after an unpredictable amount of time in order to keep the person (or animal) on their toes.

Partial operant conditioning that’s hardest to stop:

Variable ratio (gambling)

In classical conditioning, the association that is learned is between a

unconditioned stimulus and a conditioned stimulus

When you put money in the candy machine, you expect to be reinforced on a

continuous reinforcement schedule

Increasing he delay between a response and a consequence

weakens the effects of both reinforcement and punishment.

 Most people have little difficulty spotting grammatical errors but cannot articulate which rules of English grammar were violated. Knowing that a sentence is grammatically wrong but being unable to say why illustrates

implicit learning

In the classic Bobo doll experiment, after watching adults beat and yell at the Bobo doll, children

imitated the aggressive behavior of the adult even without being rewarded

 Behaviorists (such as Watson or Skinner) believe that psychology should focus on

how observable changes in the environment directly influence measurable behaviors.

A child is crying in the car because the child wants her dad to stop and get ice cream. Out of frustration and irritation, the father stops the car to buy ice cream, and the child stops crying. The father’s behavior is an example of:

Negative reinforcement

A child who has learned, through classical conditioning to fear sitting in a dentist’s chair  becomes frightened when he is placed in a barber’s chair.  This illustrates the concepts of

stimulus generalization