Conditioning and Learning | Noba

Basic principles of learning influence human behavior.
Two main forms of learning:
- Classical (Pavlovian) Conditioning
- Instrumental (Operant) Conditioning
Classical conditioning involves associating stimuli with significant events (e.g., rewards).
Instrumental conditioning involves associating behaviors with significant events (e.g., punishments).
Both types provide methods for scientists to analyze learning rigorously.
Understanding these concepts sheds light on normal and disordered human behavior.

Distinguish between classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning.
Comprehend facts about how each conditioning type works.
Understand their influence on behavior outside the lab.
List the four aspects of observational learning according to Social Learning Theory.

Ivan Pavlov famous for experiments with dogs, bells, and saliva (Pavlov's dog).
- Demonstrated how neutral stimuli can become associated with significant events.
Example applications:
- Emotional associations (e.g., anxiety in crowded buses).
- Negative associations (e.g., aversion to foods after getting sick).
Processes in Classical Conditioning:
- Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Naturally elicits a response (e.g., food).
- Unconditioned Response (UR): Natural response to US (e.g., drooling).
- Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Initially neutral stimulus that becomes associated with US.
- Conditioned Response (CR): Response elicited by the CS after conditioning (e.g., drooling at the sound of a bell).

Food Poisoning: Fish as a neutral stimulus becomes associated with getting sick, leading to avoidance.
Alarm Clock: Tone (CS) becomes associated with waking up (US), leading to a conditioned grumpiness (CR).

Edward Thorndike and B.F. Skinner studied instrumental conditioning.
Behavior is learned through reinforcement:
- Operant Behaviors: Actions that operate on the environment, executed voluntarily.
- Example: A rat learns to press a lever for food.
Reinforcement increases the likelihood of repeating a behavior; punishments decrease it.
Key Concepts:
- Thorndike’s Law of Effect: Behaviors with satisfying effects are strengthened.
- Punishers: Decrease behavior likelihood through negative consequences.
Real-Life Example: Students learn behaviors based on participation points in a classroom setting.

Classical conditioning involves involuntary, reflexive behavior.
Operant conditioning involves voluntary behavior, requiring choice and decision-making.

Introduced by Albert Bandura.
Learning by observing others, especially authority figures or social models.
Four Parts of Observational Learning:
- Attention: Must pay attention to learn.
- Retention: Ability to remember observed behavior.
- Initiation: Ability to execute the learned behavior.
- Motivation: Desire to perform the observed behavior.
Bobo Doll Experiment: Demonstrated that children can learn aggression through observation of adult models.
- Children exposed to aggressive behavior demonstrated similar aggression.
- Vicarious reinforcement affects behavior; witnessing rewards/punishments influences whether behavior is adopted.

Theories of learning (classical, operant, observational) can explain many behaviors we observe in daily life.
Real-life applications include understanding consumer behavior, academic performance, and social interactions.

Blocking: A phenomenon where learning is impeded when a new stimulus is presented with a previously conditioned stimulus.
Conditioned Compensatory Response: A response that counteracts the effects of an unconditioned stimulus.
Discriminative Stimulus: A stimulus that signals whether a response will be reinforced.
Extinction: Gradual weakening of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer presented.
Preparedness: The predisposition of an organism to associate specific stimuli with significant outcomes.