Learning and Conditioning

CHAPTER 7: LEARNING

Overview

  • Lecture Overview

    • Classical Conditioning

    • Pavlov and Watson

    • Principles of Classical Conditioning

    • Operant Conditioning

    • Thorndike and Skinner

    • Types of Reinforcers

    • Reinforcement Schedules

    • Punishment

    • Observational Learning

Learning

What is Learning?

  • Definition:

    • Relatively permanent change in behavior through experience.

  • Categories of Learning

    • Associative Learning: Making connections between events.

    • Conditioning: The process to learn these associations.

    • Types of Conditioning:

      1. Classical Conditioning

      2. Operant Conditioning

      3. Observational Learning

Behaviorism and Learning

  • Key Principles

    • Focus on observable behavior only.

    • Knowledge is learned; experience supports growth.

Classical Conditioning

Overview of Classical Conditioning

  • Learning by associating two stimuli together.

  • Examples:

    • Cat learns that food comes with the sound of the can opener.

    • Dogs learn that leashes mean going outside.

    • Children learn to fear nurses that administer needles.

Pavlov's Classic Experiment

Components of the Experiment

  • Natural Responses

    • Food: Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

    • Salivation: Unconditioned Response (UR)

  • Additional Stimuli

    • Bell: Neutral Stimulus (no response initially).

Learning Process

  1. Before Conditioning

    • Food (US) → Salivation (UR)

    • Neutral Stimulus (Bell) → No Response

  2. During Conditioning

    • Neutral (Bell) + US (Food) → Salivation (UR)

    • Pairing continues until learning occurs.

  3. After Conditioning

    • Bell (now Conditioned Stimulus, CS) → Salivation (Conditioned Response, CR)

Further Examples of Classical Conditioning

  • Example Scenarios

    • Sara experiences anxiety entering a dentist's reception area due to prior experiences (US: pain, UR: anxiety).

    • Robert fears the sound of a flushing toilet while showering (US: painful water, UR: flinch).

    • Jonathan sweats upon seeing a restaurant where he experienced spicy food (US: spices, UR: sweating).

Classical Conditioning Principles

Key Terms

  • Acquisition: The initial learning phase where CS comes before US.

  • Generalization: Responding similarly to stimuli resembling the CS.

  • Discrimination: Differentiating between CS and other stimuli.

  • Extinction: Weakening of CR when US is no longer paired with CS.

  • Spontaneous Recovery: Reappearance of CR after some time has elapsed without reinforcement.

Behavioral Therapy through Classical Conditioning

Techniques Used

  1. Systematic Desensitization

    • Gradually replace anxiety responses with relaxation through exposure to feared stimuli.

  2. Aversive Conditioning

    • Associate unpleasant states with undesirable behaviors (e.g., using disulfiram with alcohol).

Operant Conditioning

Overview

  • Definition: Learning by associating behaviors with consequences.

Thorndike's Law of Effect

  • Explanation:

    • Behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes increase, while those followed by unpleasant outcomes decrease.

Key Components

Reinforcement

  • Definition: Strengthens the likelihood of a response.

  • Types:

    1. Positive Reinforcement: Adding a desirable stimulus (e.g., praise for good work).

    2. Negative Reinforcement: Removing an aversive stimulus (e.g., taking painkillers for relief).

Example Scenarios

  • Child learns to get picked up by smiling (pleasant outcome).

  • Asking nicely increases chances of getting what they want.

Skinner's Contributions

  • Utilized the Skinner Box to study animal behavior and reinforcement principles.

Punishment Concepts

  • Definition: Weaken behaviors, making them less likely to occur.

  • Types:

    1. Positive Punishment: Adding an aversive stimulus (e.g., getting a traffic ticket).

    2. Negative Punishment: Removing a desired stimulus (e.g., revoking driving privileges).

Schedules of Reinforcement

Types

  1. Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement after a set number of behaviors.

  2. Variable Ratio: Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of behaviors.

  3. Fixed Interval: Reinforcement after a set period.

  4. Variable Interval: Reinforcement after varying time intervals.

Summary of Operant Conditioning Principles

  • Similarities to classical conditioning but focus on response to behavior and consequences.

  • Distinction between voluntary and involuntary responses.

Observational Learning

Introduction

  • Definition: Learning new behaviors by observing and imitating others (e.g., Bandura's Bobo Doll study).

Key Processes

  1. Attention: Focusing on the behavior of others.

  2. Retention: Keeping a mental representation of observed behavior.

  3. Production Processes: Executing the behaviors learned.

  4. Motivation: The need for the behaviors observed based on their perceived usefulness.

Social Implications

  • Media Violence and Learning

    • Studies suggest that viewing violent media may result in aggressive behavior and desensitization, although some research weaknesses exist.

Biological and Cognitive Influences on Learning

Biological Constraints

  • Some behaviors can and cannot be conditioned (e.g., raccoons vs. chickens).

  • Taste aversions can form quickly (one trial).

Cognitive Influences

  • Factors affecting learning include past experience, predictability of associations, and the presence of discrepancies in reinforcement.

Conclusion

Exam Preparation

  • Midterm 2 is on March 12, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, and March 14, 12 - 2 pm for respective sections.

  • Upcoming lectures focus on Chapter 8 - Memory.