Psychology (Ch. 6)

Chapter 6: Learning

Associative Learning - learning that certain events occur together; “A” is associated with “B”

The 3 Major Types of Learning

• Classical Conditioning - Pavlov

• Operant Conditioning (Instrumental Learning) - Thorndike, B.F. Skinner

• Social (Observational) Learning - Bandura

Classical Conditioning - Pavlovian Conditioning

A process in which a neutral stimulus is paired with a stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response.

1. What are the 4 Building Blocks of Classical Conditioning? (NOTE: definition not needed)

• Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

  • Naturally elicits (causes) a response; can evoke a response the first time it is is presented; does NOT have to be learned

  • Ex. Food being put in a dog’s mouth, causing salivation

• Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

  • Starts out neutral; has to be conditioned or repeatedly paired with a stimulus that can naturally elicit a response; has to be learned

  • Ex. The assistants being paired with the food, causing salivation

• Unconditioned Response (UCR)

  • Response evoked (caused) by the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

• Conditioned Response (CR)

  • Response evoked (caused) by the conditioned stimulus)

The Pairing of the CS with the UCS is called a conditioning trial

Order of the Pairing is IMPORTANT

Extinction - decrease in strength or frequency of the learned response; when a UCS does not follow a CS (i.e. when the meat no longer follows the bell ring)

Spontaneous Recovery - the reappearance of a weakened response after a rest/extinction

Generalization - tendency to respond to a stimulus similar to the CS; 

(e.g. we still recognize traffic lights regardless if they are horizontal, vertical, or on the corner…)

Discrimination - we can learn to distinguish between different conditioned stimuli (e.g. Pavlov could have taught his dogs to discriminate (differentiate) between different bell tones.)

Little Albert Experiment - John Watson + Rosalie Rayner

Conditioned a child to fear a white rat

• Loud sound

Systematic Desensitization - teaches the client to relax and associate a phobia with a relaxed state

Drugs + Conditioning

• Can any stimulus serve as a Conditioned Stimulus?

• Interval between CS and UCS?

  • Short time needed between CS and UCS

Operant Conditioning

Thorndike 

• Law of Effect

  • Behavior followed by favorable consequences = more likely to be repeated

  • Behavior followed by negative consequences = less likely to be repeated

B.F. Skinner

• Behavior influenced by consequences

• “Skinner Box” for Rats and Pigeons

  • 2 Categories

    • 1.) Reinforcement - anything that increases/strengthens behavior

      • Positive: add or present something pleasant

        • Ex. A dog getting a treat after doing a trick

      • Negative: remove or take away something unpleasant

        • Ex. Buckling your seatbelt to stop the annoying ding

    • 2.) Punishment - anything that decreases/weakens behavior

      • Application: add something negative

      • Removal: remove something positive
        
        

• Primary Reinforcers

  • Don’t have to be learned

  • Food, Drink, Water

• Secondary Reinforcers

  • HAVE to be learned

  • Money

• Immediate Reinforcers

  • Fast rewards 

  • Sweets, Sleep, etc.

• Delayed Reinforcers

  • Takes more time to reap the reward

  • Healthy Eating, Exercise, etc.