PSY 110 ISU Unit 2
Learning
Definition: A relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience.
1. Classical Conditioning (CC)
Origin: Ivan Pavlov (early 1900’s)
Definition: A learning process where a neutral stimulus elicits a response after being paired with a stimulus that naturally brings about that response.
Concept: Learning associations between two stimuli.
Response Characteristics: The response is involuntary or automatic.
2. Classical Conditioning Process
Before Conditioning
Neutral Stimulus: Tone of C
Effect: No salivation occurs.
During Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Food
Unconditioned Response (UR): Salivation
Neutral stimulus (Tone C) is paired with the unconditioned stimulus (Food) to elicit an unconditioned response (Salivation).
After Conditioning
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Tone of C
Conditioned Response (CR): Salivation occurs due to the Tone.
3. Types of Conditioned Responses
Physiological Responses: Salivation, heart rate changes.
Muscular Reflexes: Involuntary movements, such as flinching.
Emotions: Eliciting moods like happiness or sadness.
Attitudes: Automatic judgments, likes, and dislikes.
4. Emotional Conditioning - John Watson and Little Albert
Emotional responses can also be conditioned.
5. Classical Conditioning in Advertising
Example:
Neutral Stimulus (NS): Rx product
Unconditioned Stimulus (US): People having fun
Unconditioned Response (UR): You're Happy
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Rx product leading to Conditioned Response (CR): You're Happy.
6. Generalization and Discrimination
Generalization: Stimuli similar to the CS can evoke a CR. Pavlov demonstrated through various stimuli in dogs leading to salivation.
Discrimination: Ability to differentiate between a CS and other stimuli; only stimuli very similar to the CS elicit the CR.
7. Conditioning Processes
Extinction: CR fades over time without reinforcement of US.
Spontaneous Recovery: Reappearance of an extinguished CR after a period of rest.
8. Comparison: Classical vs. Operant Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
Involves learning associations between two stimuli we do not control.
Responses are involuntary.
Operant Conditioning
Learn associations based on behavior and its consequences.
Responses are voluntary behaviors.
9. Operant Conditioning
Concept: A voluntary behavior may become more or less frequent based on its consequences.
Thorndike’s Law of Effect: Favorable behaviors increase in likelihood, while unfavorable behaviors decrease.
Example: Edward Thorndike’s Puzzle Box.
10. Reinforcement Similarities
Positive Reinforcement: Reward following a response (e.g., bar press for food).
Negative Reinforcement: Termination of an aversive condition (e.g., bar press to remove loud noise).
11. Punishment in Learning
Definition: Consequence that decreases behavior frequency.
Positive Punishment: Application of unpleasant stimulus (e.g., traffic ticket).
Negative Punishment: Removal of pleasant stimulus (e.g., revoking privileges).
12. Applications of Reinforcement and Punishment (Practice Examples)
Various scenarios illustrating types of reinforcement and punishment effects in behavior.
13. Cognitive Processes and Learning
Cognitive factors influence the effectiveness of reinforcement and the development of superstitious behaviors.
Latent Learning: Learning that becomes apparent only when there is an incentive to demonstrate it.
Cognitive Maps: Mental representations of spatial arrangements.
14. Observational Learning (Modeling)
Learning through observing others, as demonstrated by Albert Bandura.
Forms of Influence: Attitudes, gestures, values, social behaviors.
15. Summary of Learning Types
Classical Conditioning: Neutral stimulus becomes CS, eliciting a CR.
Operant Conditioning: Behavior is shaped by consequences (reinforcement or punishment).
Observational Learning: Learning a behavior through observation leads to performing those behaviors.