learning
the process of acquiring through experience new and relatively enduring information and behaviors
types of learning
classical conditioning (learn to expect/prepare for events) operant conditioning (learn to repeat acts that bring rewards and avoid acts that bring unwanted results) cognitive learning (learn new behaviors through observation or language)
learned associations feed our
habitual behaviors
habituation
decrease responsiveness with repeated exposure to a stimulus
associative learning
learning that certain events occur together the events may be 2 stimuli or a response and its consequence
stimulus
any events/situation that evokes a response
respondent behavior
behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimuli
operant behavior
behavior that operates on the environment producing consequences
classical and operant conditioning work together to
learn
cognitive learning
the acquisition of mental information whether by observing events, watching others and through language
classical conditioning
type of learning in which we link 2+ stimuli
Pavlov
explored classical conditioning He used 1st stimuli a tone comes to elicit behavior of dog drooling in anticipation of 2nd stimuli food
behaviorism
the view that psychology should be 1) objective science that 2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes most agree with 1 not 2
John Watson
founder of behaviorism
Pavlov and Watson share a
disdain mentalistic concepts such as consciousness and basic laws of learning are same for humans and animals
neutral stimulus (NS)
a stimulus that elicits no response behavior
unconditioned stimulus (US)
a stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers an unconditioned response
unconditioned response (UR)
an unlearned naturally occurring response to a US ex salvation to food
conditioned response (CR)
a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus
conditioned stimulus (CS)
an originally neutral stimulus that after associated with an US triggers a CR
acquisition
initial learning of stimulus response relation, when one links a NS and US so NS begins to trigger CR
acquisition shows CC is
biologically adaptive by helping prepare for good/bad events
higher-order conditioning (second-order conditioning)
a procedure where a CS and NS are paired
extinction
diminishing of a CR when US is absent
spontaneous recovery
reappearance of an extinction of CR
generalization
similar stimuli to CS resulting in the response to occur ex similar sounding tone -> dog salivates
discrimination
learned ability to distinguish between a CS and similar stimulus that do not signal a US
discrimination, being able to recognize differences, is
adaptive
Pavlov findings
many other responses to many other stimuli can be CC in organism, a way to adapt to environment show learning process can be studied objectively
Watson's theories/experiments influenced by
Pavlov's findings
CC technique used to improve
health and well-being, drug additions, immune system
operant conditioning
type of learning in which behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcers or less likely to recur if followed by punisher
operant behavior
behavior that operates on environment to produce reward/punish stimuli
law of effect
Thorndike's principle that behavior followed by favorable consequences become more likely and less likely unfavorable consequences become less likely
B.F Skinner
used Thorndike's principle and developed behavior technology that revealed principles of behavior control
Skinner's operant chamber explored
precise conditioning that foster efficient/enduring learning
operant chamber
a chamber/skinner box containing bar/key an animal manipulates to obtain food/water reinforcement and devices to measure rates of bar pressing/key pecking
reinforcement
any event that strengthens the behavior it follows depending on animal/human condition
shaping
procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer to desired behavior
shaping is used to shape
complex behaviors gradually and understand what nonverbal organisms can perceive
driscriminative stimulus
a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement
positive reinforcement
increase behaviors by PRESENTING positive reinforcers any stimulus when PRESENTED after a response and strengthen the response
negative reinforcement
increase behaviors by STOPPING/REMOVING aversive stimuli any stimuli when REMOVED after a response strengthens it
positive and negative reinforcers can work together to
strengthen behavior
primary reinforcers
an innately reinforcing stimulus, no learning required needs for life ex: food water
conditioned reinforcer
a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer
imediate reinforcers
offer immediate payback animals will repeat reward behavior
delayed reinforcers
require the ability to delay gratification
unlike animals humans respond to
delayed reinforces showing maturity and leads to increase competent ex - not using your starbucks stars to get a free drink at 150 and wait to get that free merchandise at 400
reinforcement schedule
a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced
continuous reinforcement
reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs leading to fast learning and extinction does too
partial (intermittent) reinforcement schedule
reinforcing response but only sometimes leads to slower learning and extinction
fixed-ratio schedule
every so many, reinforcement after nth behavior ex buy 10 coffee get 1 free
variable-ratio schedule
unpredictable number, reinforcement after random # behavior ex winning of slot machines
fixed-interval schedule
every so often, reinforced behavior after a fixed time ex Wednesday BOGO at Pizza T
variable-interval schedule
unpredictable time, reinforced behavior after random time ex pop quiz
response rates are higher when reinforcement is link with
number of responses ratio schedules
responses rates more consistent when reinforcement is
unpredictable
punishment
an event that decrease behavior that follows it
punishment that is more effective on behavior
swift and severe
positive punishment
give an adverse stimulus ex getting a speeding ticket
negative punishment
withdraw a rewarding stimulus ex getting your phone taken away
punishment is bad because
temporarily suppresses bad behavior
teaches discrimination among situations, where or where not to have bad behavior
teaches fear thro generalization
may increase aggression by showing violence can solve problems
punishment tells you what NOT to do
Reinforcement tells you what TO do
Skinner says
external influences shape behavior not internal thoughts/feelings use rewards to increase desirable behaviors
Critics say Skinner try to control people but he argues
external consequences already aimlessly control people so why not use reinforcement, more humane than punishment, for human betterment