W1 C1

Learning

  • Changes in observable behavior and thinking; results of learning must always be translated into measurable behavior.

  • A relatively permanent change in behavior potentiality (chance of behavior changing is higher) that occur as a result of reinforced practice (Kimble, 1961).

  • Behavior can be overt (physical change) or covert (internal change).

  • Change in behavior does not need to immediately follow after the learning experience; it does not automatically mean no learning was done → behavior potentiality.

  • Process is learning.

  • Behavior cannot be referred to as learned behavior if an organism engages in complex behavioral pattern independent of experience.

  • Changing the frequency of an existing behavior

  • Changing the speed, intensity of an existing behavior

  • Responding differently to a particular stimulus

  • The challenge of operationalization → it’s difficult to operationalize and pin down, abstract, lots of meaning depending on one’s perspectives

  • Experience → learning → behavioral changes.

  • Experience may speed up the behavioral changes.

  • Source is experience or practice; learning does not include reflexes, instincts, maturation, fatigue, illness, intoxication.

Pavlov vs. Skinner (Reward & Reinforcement)

  • Pavlov: defines reinforcer as unconditioned stimulus, elicits natural and automatic reaction; reinforcers can hardly be considered as rewards, if rewards are thought to be desirable.

  • Skinner: reinforcer strengthens behavior that precedes its occurrence; rewards are desirable, but do not strengthen behavior.

Sensitization

  • Process where one is made more responsive to certain aspects of the environment.

  • Becoming more sensitive following an upsetting experience.

  • High-intensity, extremely relevant/dangerous

Habituation

  • Process where one is made less responsive to certain aspects of the environment.

  • Referred to as orienting reflex.

  • Low-intensity, currently relevant/irrelevant.

Dishabituation

  • Reappearance of habituated responses following the presentation of a seemingly irrelevant novel stimulus.

Reflex

  • Defined as unlearned or innate response in reaction to stimuli.

  • Genetically determined characteristic of an organism, not a result of experience or practice.

Instinct → Species-Specific Behavior

  • Some complex behaviors are innate, generally referred to as instinct.

  • Species-specific behavior is the term used now, referring to the complex, unlearned, and relatively unmodifiable behaviors.

Imprinting

  • The formation of an attachment between an organism and an environmental object, typically animals.

  • Occurs only during a critical period.

  • A combination of learned and instinctive behavior.

Classical Conditioning

  • Unconditioned stimulus (US) causes a natural, automatic reaction called the unconditioned reaction (UR).

  • Neutral stimulus → conditioned stimulus (CS), presented to the organism before the US.

Instrumental Conditioning

  • Far different from classical conditioning; organism must act in a certain way before it is reinforced.

  • Has two types: escape conditioning and avoidance conditioning.

  • Escape conditioning: escape response through reinforcement.

  • Avoidance conditioning: associates a signal with the reinforcement, therefore, performs the response to avoid reinforcer.

Homeostatic Mechanism

  • Automatic adjustment processes performed to maintain homeostasis.