Psych 03/05 (incomplete)

Introduction to Social Media and Habits

• Social media platforms provide social reinforcers that engage users.

• The thrill of sharing content that gets a reaction (likes, shares, going viral) drives user engagement.

• Opening apps can become a habit done unconsciously.

• Unplugging from social media reveals the extent of its control over behavior.

Science of Learning and Reward

• Concept known as Learning and Reward, studied using animals like rats and dogs.

• Experiments in Learning:

  • Animals are placed in cages and trained to perform tasks (e.g., pressing a button for a reward).

  • Principles of learning can be exploited by social media companies to keep users engaged.

Elements of Learning

1. Basic Hardware

• Sensory Systems: Ability to collect and interpret environmental data via senses (sight, touch, sound).

• Reflexes: Instinctive responses to stimuli (e.g., knee-jerk reflex when tested by a doctor).

• Habituation: Decreased response to repeated stimuli (e.g., losing interest in pizza after too many slices).

2. Pavlovian Conditioning

• Named after Ivan Pavlov, this involves learning to predict outcomes based on associations.

• Conditioned Responses: Animals learn to respond to conditioned stimuli (e.g., dogs salivating to the sound of a bell before food).

• Example: A rat learns to associate lights with food being served, salivating even in the absence of food.

3. Skinnerian Conditioning

• Named after B.F. Skinner, this refers to how organisms learn to operate on their environment to achieve desired outcomes.

• Successful behaviors are rewarded, leading to repeat behaviors.

Generalization in Learning

• Animals can generalize learned responses (e.g., a rat fleeing from any cat after learning about one predator).

• Overgeneralization can lead to irrational fears (e.g., Little Albert became afraid of all furry things after being conditioned to fear a rat).

• Little Albert Experiment: Conducted by John B. Watson; a child was conditioned to fear a white rat due to a loud noise.

Identifying Manipulation in Social Media

• Influencers may create illusions of success using classical conditioning principles (e.g., associating luxury items with affiliation and success).

• Manipulation extends to advertising, where companies like Maxwell House pioneered classical conditioning in marketing.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

• Users must analyze what they consume and recognize manipulative tactics in social media and advertising.

• Discussions about conditioning highlight the potential for exploitation if audiences do not think critically about their engagements.

Conclusion: The Nature of Learning

• Learning is not a simple process; it involves complex interactions between environmental stimuli and innate behaviors.

• Behavior is shaped not just by conditioning but also by biological preparedness.

• Understanding these principles can empower individuals to navigate personal learning experiences and social media interactions.