Chapter 7: Learning

Chapter 7: Introducing Psychology

Overview of Learning

• Definition of Learning: Acquisition of new knowledge, skills, or responses from experience, resulting in a relatively permanent change in the learner.

• Types of Learning:

  • Habituation: A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

  • Sensitization: An increase in response to a stimulus following its presentation.

Classical Conditioning

• Definition: A learning process where a neutral stimulus elicits a response after being paired with a stimulus that naturally evokes a response (studied by Ivan Pavlov).

• Key Concepts:

  • Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Naturally elicits a reaction (e.g., food).

  • Unconditioned Response (UR): Reflexive reaction to a US (e.g., salivation).

  • Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Initially neutral but becomes associated with the US (e.g., bell).

  • Conditioned Response (CR): Response to a CS that resembles the UR.

Basic Principles of Classical Conditioning

• Acquisition: Phase where CS and US are presented together.

• Extinction: Gradual elimination of a learned response when the US is no longer presented.

• Spontaneous Recovery: Reappearance of a learned response after a rest period.

• Generalization: CR occurs in response to stimuli similar to CS.

• Discrimination: Ability to differentiate between similar but distinct stimuli.

Implications of Classical Conditioning

• Real-World Applications: Can explain phenomena such as drug overdoses among users based on conditioned cues.

• Conditioned Emotional Responses: example: Little Albert experiment, demonstrating fear conditioning.

• Neural Elements: Classical conditioning involves regions like the cerebellum (eyeblink conditioning) and amygdala (fear conditioning).

• Evolutionary Aspects: Adaptive behaviors that enhance survival (e.g., taste aversions).

Operant Conditioning

• Definition: Learning occurs through consequences of behavior (studied by Edward Thorndike and B.F. Skinner).

• Law of Effect: Behaviors followed by pleasant outcomes are repeated, while those followed by unpleasant outcomes are not.

• Reinforcement and Punishment:

  • Reinforcers: Increase likelihood of behavior (positive or negative).

  • Punishers: Decrease likelihood of behavior.

Reinforcement Schedules

• Types:

  • Fixed Interval: Reinforcement after a set time (e.g., weekly paycheck).

  • Variable Interval: Reinforcement at unpredictable times (e.g., fishing).

  • Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement after a specific number of responses (e.g., piecework).

  • Variable Ratio: Reinforcement after a varying number of responses (e.g., gambling).

• Shaping: Reinforcement of successive steps leading to a desired behavior.

• Observational Learning: Learning by observing others (studied by Albert Bandura).

Implicit Learning

• Definition: Learning without conscious awareness.

• Characteristics: Less influenced by IQ, resistant to certain disorders, occurs in simple organisms.

Techniques for Effective Learning

• Distributed Practice: Spread studying over time.

• Interleaved Practice: Mix different types of problems in a study session.

• Practice Testing: Retrieval practice enhances learning and retention.

• Self-Testing: Assess understanding and revisit inadequately learned topics.

Jiffy Lube University Case Study

• Innovative Learning Approach: Combination of online classes, rigorous testing, and on-the-job training to optimize learning for employees.