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.