psyc1101 exam 3: learning part 2

reinforcement

increases probability of behavior occurring again

punishment

decreases probability of behavior occurring again

do you want to strengthen or weaken the behavior

- increase: reinforcement
- decrease: punishment

are you doing it by adding or taking away something

• by adding: positive

• by taking away: negative

continuous schedule of reinforcement

the behavior is reinforced or punished every time it occurs

partial schedule of reinforcement

the behavior is reinforced or punished only some of the time it occurs

do you know when it will repeat

• yes: fixed
  - no: variable

what determines the repetition

• time: interval
  - number of responses: ratio

fixed ratio schedules

reinforcement is given after a specific number of responses

variable ratio schedules

Reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses

• most powerful reinforcement

fixed interval schedules

reinforcement is given after certain period of time

variable interval schedule

reinforcement is given after a certain average time

observational learning

we also learn behavior by watching other people

• modeling

• when behavior is modeled, we are more likely to imitate it when we are in a similar action

modeling

performing a behavior while someone else is watching

albert bandura

• popularized observational studywith his bobo doll study

• children watched adults play with a doll

• some watched the adults play aggressively, some watched the adults play nicely

• the children then got a chance to play with the doll

• the children who saw aggressive models were much more aggressive themselves

research on violent media

national institute of mental health 1982 report, children who watch violent tv shows tend to be
- less sensitive to seeing other in pain
- more fearful of the world
- more likely to behave aggressively even into adolescent years
- more likely to be arrested as adults for criminal acts

• 2010 review by psychologist craig a anderson, exposure to violent video games as children results in

  • decreased empathy

  • increased aggressive thoughts and behavior

• christopher j ferguson 2009 meta analysis

  • similar results to anderson

  • argues that prior work doesnt control for variables like mental health, family life, etc

operant conditioning

learning process in which voluntary behavior are modified by association with addition or removal of reward or aversive stimuli