Behaviorist What do we already know about the psychologist that believe in the behaviorist way of looking at the cause of human behavior?

Human Behavior is: learned learned from our experiences learned from our conditioning not caused by some unconscious anxiety must be observable to be important can be learned and therefore can be unlearned (Disorders and therapy) Behaviorist perspective developed into the Learning perspective then into the socio- cultural level of analysis.

What is Learning? Long lasting change in behavior due to experience.

Why Study Learning? The Behaviorist/Learning perspective were so popular because they make sense : As we learn we change our behavior, therefore learning: is the process that allows us to adapt to the changing conditions of the world around us because: We alter our actions until we find the behavior that leads to survival and rewards. We eliminate actions that have been unsuccessful in the past.

The Behaviorist/Learning perspective started by accident! Ivan Pavlov discovered a principle that caused dogs (humans) to learn a behavior based on an innate reaction Then others discovered more principles Learning principles. Classical conditioning - module 14 Operant conditioning - module 15 Observational learning(cognitive learning) – module 16

Classical Conditioning Ivan Pavlov Studied Digestion of Dogs. Dogs would salivate before they were given food (triggered by sounds, lights etc…) The Dogs LEARNED to salivate to the sound of a neutral stimuli. Click above to see about Pavlov

Classical Conditioning This is passive learning (automatic…learner does NOT have to think). First thing you need is a unconditional relationship. Unconditional Stimulus (UCS)- something that elicits a natural, reflexive response. Unconditional Response (UCR)- response to the UCS.

Classical Conditioning Next you find a neutral stimulus (something that by itself elicits no response). You present the stimulus with the UCS a whole bunch of times.

Classical Conditioning After a while, the body begins to link together the neutral stimulus with the UCS. Acquisition – an association is learned

Classical Conditioning We know learning takes places when the previously neutral stimulus elicits a response. At this point the neutral stimulus is called the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditional response becomes the conditioned response (CR).

Classical Conditioning TRICKY FACT: We know learning exists because the CS is linked to the UCS. This is called ACQUISITION. Acquisition does not last forever. The moment the CS is no longer associated with the UCS, we have EXTINCTION.

Spontaneous Recovery Sometimes, after extinction, the CR still randomly appears after the CS is presented.

Stimulus Generalization and Discrimination Generalization Something is so similar to the CS that you get a CR. Discrimination Something so different to the CS so you do not get a CR.

Popular Classical Conditioning Example d&v=nE8pFWP5QDM# d&v=nE8pFWP5QDM#! See if you can identify the UCS, UCR, CS and CR.

Classical Conditioning and Humans John Watson brought Classical Conditioning to psychology with his Baby Albert experiment. This type of Classical Conditioning is also known as Aversive Conditioning.

How does classical conditioning function in our everyday lives? Biological preparedness: the tendency to learn certain associations by pairing, due to the survival value of the learning. conditioned taste aversions phobic reactions

Learned Taste Aversions When it comes to food being paired with sickness, the conditioning is incredible strong. Even when food and sickness are hours apart. One needs to make the association in order for the Food to become an aversion. Perhaps, a survival skill.

Garcia and Koelling Study Studied rats and how they make associations. Some associations seem to be adaptive. CSUCSLearned Response Loud NoiseShockFear Loud NoiseRadiation (nausea)Nothing Sweet WaterShockNothing Sweet WaterRadiation (nausea)Avoid Water

Limitation of Classical Conditioning Although it can be an effective learning technique, because a new stimuli can be paired with an old response. There is no way to teach an entirely new behavior within the framework of classical conditioning.

Review of Classical Conditioning Neutral stimulus(bell) can become a conditioned stimulus (CS) upon pairing with some unconditioned stimulus (UCS). An unconditioned stimulus(UCS) is something innate (food) that causes an unconditioned (unlearned) response (UCR).(drooling). After ACQUISITION – (association is learned after pairing) The unconditioned response (UCR) is now conditioned by the conditioned stimulus(CS) and the response is considered to be a conditioned response (CR).

Classical Conditioning Review We know learning takes places when the previously neutral stimulus elicits a response. At this point the neutral stimulus is called the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditional response becomes the conditioned response (CR).

What is Operant Conditioning? The Learner is NOT passive but makes a choice. Learning is based on consequence, behavior is based on reinforcement rather than simple pairing. And the frequency of a behavior depends on its consequence.

The Law of Effect Edward Thorndike Locked cats in a cage Discovered behaviors with favorable consequences will occur more frequently while … behaviors with unfavorable consequences will occur less frequently. Rewards change behavior. If consequences are unpleasant, the Stimulus- Reward connection will weaken. Called the whole process instrumental learning. Click picture to see a better explanation of the Law of Effect.

B.F. Skinner The Daddy of Operant Conditioning. Nurture way more important than bio or cognitive factors. Used an Operant Conditioning Chamber (Skinner Box) to prove his concepts. Walden Two Controversial ideas

Used Skinner Box for lab rats and his Child

Reinforces A reinforcer is anything that INCREASES (strengthens) a behavior. Positive Reinforcement: The addition of something pleasant, like A reward or a pat on the back,. Negative Reinforcement: Behaviors are strengthened by the removal or escape from something unpleasant. (escape and avoidance learning)

Escape Learning and Avoidance Learning. Skinner put a rat in a box and subjected it to an unpleasant electric current. As rat moved about the box, it accidentally knock the lever and it would switched off. The rats quickly learned to go straight to the lever, the consequence of escaping the electric current ensured that they would repeat the action again and again. Then, he taught the rats to avoid the electric current by turning on a light just before the electric current came on. The rats soon learned to press the lever when the light came on because they knew that this would stop the electric current from being switched on.

Punishment Meant to decrease a behavior. Positive Punishment Addition of something unpleasant. Negative Punishment (Omission Training) Removal of something pleasant. Punishment works best when it is immediately done after behavior, but it may have lasting results on person punished.

Positive or Negative? Putting your seatbelt on. Studying for a test. Having a headache and taking an aspirin. Faking sick to avoid AP Psych class. Breaking out of jail. Getting a kiss for doing the dishes.

How do we actually use Operant Conditioning? Do we wait for the subject to deliver the desired behavior? Sometimes, we use a process called shaping. Shaping is reinforcing small steps on the way to the desired behavior. To train a dog to get your slippers, you would have to reinforce him in small steps. First, to find the slippers. Then to put them in his mouth. Then to bring them to you and so on…this is shaping behavior. To get Barry to become a better student, you need to do more than give him a massage when he gets good grades. You have to give him massages when he studies for ten minutes, or for when he completes his homework. Small steps to get to the desired behavior.

Chaining Behaviors Subjects are taught a number of responses successively in order to get a reward. Click picture to see a rat chaining behaviors. Click to see a cool example of chaining behaviors.

Difference in Shaping and Chaining Shaping – re-enforcing small steps until the goal is met. (getting a child to say a full sentence) Chaining – linking behaviors together to achieve a final result. (learning to play golf)

Same Terminology as Classical Conditioning Acquisition Extinction Spontaneous Recovery Generalization Discrimination If I wanted to reinforce my son’s dancing by giving him lollipops when he dances. Identify the following….

Token Economy Every time a desired behavior is performed, a token is given. They can trade tokens in for a variety of prizes (reinforcers) Used in homes, prisons, mental institutions and schools.

Primary v. Secondary Reinforcers Primary Reinforcer Things that are in themselves rewarding. Secondary Reinforcer Things we have learned to value. Money is a special secondary reinforcer called a generalized reinforcer (because it can be traded for just about anything)

Reinforcement Schedules How often do you give the reinforcer? Every time or just sometimes you see the behavior?

Continuous v. Partial Reinforcement Continuous Reinforce the behavior EVERYTIME the behavior is exhibited. Usually done when the subject is first learning to make the association. Acquisition comes really fast. But so does extinction. Partial Reinforce the behavior only SOME of the times it is exhibited. Acquisition comes more slowly. But is more resistant to extinction. FOUR types of Partial Reinforcement schedules.

Ratio Schedules- the number of responses that count Fixed Ratio Provides a reinforcement after a SET number of responses. Variable Ratio Provides a reinforcement after a RANDOM number of responses. Very hard to get acquisition but also very resistant to extinction. Fixed Ratio- She gets a manicure for every 5 pounds she loses.

Interval Schedules - the passage of time Fixed Interval Requires a SET amount of time to elapse before giving the reinforcement. Variable Interval Requires a RANDOM amount of time to elapse before giving the reinforcement. Very hard to get acquisition but also very resistant to extinction. Fixed Interval: She gets a manicure for every 7 days she stays on her diet.

4 types of Partial Reinforcement Schedules Fixed ratio – a reinforcer is given after a fixed number of correct non-reinforced responses. (factory worker paid by the piece, punch card) Variable-ratio – a varying number of reinforcers is given after a varying number of time. (gambler, video games) fixed-interval – a fixed amount given at a fixed time (salary pay- the longer the interval - more resistant to extinction, studying the night before. Variable-interval – a varying amount at set time- (weekly - hours you work, checking facebook)

Cognitive and Biological Learning Where does that Learnin’ go? How about Free Will or What if I don’t want to? Overjustification effect Or I learned it by myself without any rewards! Or I’m not biologically programed that way.

Biological Issue Instinctive drift – tendency for an animals behavior to revert to genetically controlled patterns. Biological preparedness or Biologically predisposed

Popular Operant Conditioning Example

OC in Therapy Behavior Modification – uses shaping and token economy to change undesirable behaviors and create desirable responses. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) – modern term for behavior modification. Biofeedback – uses biology, cognitive, and behavior ideas. Neurofeedback – updated version using new technology

Observational Learning Albert Bandura and his BoBo Doll We learn through modeling behavior from others. Observational learning + Operant Conditioning = Social Learning Theory Click pic to see some observational learning. 4E2E2125E3978E Funny one

Latent Leaning Edward Toleman Three rat experiment. Latent means hidden. Sometimes learning is not immediately evident. Rats needed a reason to display what they have learned. Cognitive mapping &form=QBVR&pq=edward+c.+tolman+latent+learning&sc=1-32&sp=- 1&sk=#view=detail&mid=6DD8D1E1A9A11E1C880A6DD8D1E1A9A11E1C880A &form=QBVR&pq=edward+c.+tolman+latent+learning&sc=1-32&sp=- 1&sk=#view=detail&mid=6DD8D1E1A9A11E1C880A6DD8D1E1A9A11E1C880A Student one

Insight Learning Wolfgang Kohler and his Chimpanzees. Some animals learn through the “ah ha” experience. Click pic to see insight learning.

Learned Helplessness Martin Seligman – 1960s- originally was working on the idea of escape and avoidance learning. Shocked dogs that were tethered, thought the dogs would learn to try and escape when they heard the sound of the shock.

Learned Helplessness But found that the dogs soon learned that there was nothing they could do to escape and gave up. Thru this experiment, by the 1990s he developed Positive Psychology. ▪Sense of powerlessness leads To depression. Optimism – gives people power over the bad things that happen to them.