Learning
Types of Learning
Vocabulary
Associative learning: involves the encoding of relationships between events
Stimulus: any object or event that elicits a sensory or behavioral response in an organism
Respondent behavior: behavior that is evoked by a specific stimulus and that will consistently and predictably occur if the stimulus is presented
Operant behavior: behavior that produces an effect on the environment and whose likelihood of recurrence is influenced by consequences
\
\n
Classical Conditioning
Pavlov & his experiments
Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
Classical conditioning: one learns to link two or more stimuli & anticipate events
Behaviorism (Watson): view that psychology
Pavlov speculated what dog was thinking/feeling when drooling in anticipation of food
\n
Term | Definition | In Pavlov’s experiment… |
---|---|---|
Neutral stimuli (NS) | Stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning | Tone |
Unconditioned response (UR) | An unlearned , naturally occurring response to an US | Salivation |
Unconditioned stimulus (US) | Stimulus that unconditionally - naturally & automatically - triggers a UR | Food in mouth |
Conditioned response (CR) | Learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus | Salivation |
Conditioned stimulus (CS) | Originally neutral stimulus that, after association with US comes to trigger a CR | Tone |
\n
Acquisition
Extinction & Spontaneous Recovery
Pavlov’s Legacy
Applications
Former drug users
Immune system
\n
Operant Conditioning
Skinner & his experiments
Shaping Behavior
Types of Reinforcers
Term | Description | Examples |
---|---|---|
Positive reinforcement | Add desired stimulus | Pet a dog that comes when you call it; pay the person who paints your house |
Negative reinforcement | Remove an undesired stimulus | Take painkillers to end pain; fasten seatbelt to end loud beeping |
Reinforcement schedules
Fixed | Variable | |
---|---|---|
Ratio | Every so many; reinforcement after nth behavior (i.e. buy 10 coffees get 1 free) | After an random number - reinforcement after a random number of behaviors (i.e. playing slot machine or fly fishing) |
Interval | Every so often ; reinforcement for behavior after a fixed time (i.e. Tuesday discount prices) | Unpredictably often; reinforcement for behavior after a random amount of time (ie. checking for Facebook response) |
\n
Punishment
Type | Description | Examples |
---|---|---|
Positive punishment | Administer something that’s undesired . | Spray water on a barking dog; give traffic ticket for speeding |
Negative punishment | End something that’s desired | Take away misbehaving teen’s driving privileges; revoke library card for nonpayment |
Skinner’s Legacy/Applications
Dehumanizing?
Describe an application:
\n
Biology, Cognition, & Learning
Limits on Classical Conditioning
Limits on Operant Conditioning
Cognitive Processes & Classical Conditioning
Cognitive Processes & Operant Conditioning
Cognitive map: mental representation of the layout of one’s environment
Latent learning: learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
Intrinsic motivation: desiree to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake
Extrinsic motivation desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards OR avoid threatened punishment
\n
Observational Learning
Mirror & Imitation in the Brain
Applications
Prosocial behavior: positive , constructive, helpful behavior
Antisocial behavior: Hostility, significant irritability, agitation, aggression or violence
Social learning theory: suggests that social behavior is learned by observing and imitating the behavior of others
\n