Conditioning and Learning Unit 6 Conditioning and Learning Modules 27-31

Conditioning and Learning What is Learning? Relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience Associative learning –Reinforcement Cognitive learning Module 27: Associative and Cognitive Learning

Conditioning and Learning Stimulus –The cause or producer of the response Response –Any identifiable behavior Consequences –Effects that follow a response –Reinforcer –Punisher Learning: Key Terms

Conditioning and Learning

Ivan Pavlov –Russian physiologist Also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning Reflex –Automatic, nonlearned response Module 28: Classical Conditioning

Conditioning and Learning

Neutral stimulus (NS): bell Unconditioned stimulus (US): meat powder Unconditioned response (UR): salivation Pair NS repeatedly with US –Bell, meat powder, salivation; bell, meat powder, salivation Conditioned stimulus (CS): bell –Dogs began to salivate when they heard the bell Conditioned response (CR): salivation to sound of bell Pavlov’s Experiment

Conditioning and Learning

Acquisition –Respondent reinforcement Higher order conditioning Expectancy –Informational view Principles of Classical Conditioning

Conditioning and Learning Extinction Spontaneous recovery Stimulus generalization Stimulus discrimination Principles of Classical Conditioning

Conditioning and Learning Classical Conditioning at work

Conditioning and Learning Phobia –Example: arachnophobia, fear of spiders Conditioned emotional response (CER) Systematic Desensitization Vicarious classical conditioning Classical Conditioning in Humans

Conditioning and Learning

Also known as instrumental learning –Learning based on the consequences of responding Law of effect (Thorndike) –The probability of a response is altered by the effect it has Module 29: Operant Conditioning

Conditioning and Learning Positive reinforcement (vs. reward) –Operant reinforcer Operant conditioning chamber (Skinner Box) Acquiring an operant response –Response-contingent reinforcement Operant Conditioning

Conditioning and Learning

Operant reinforcement most effective when given immediately after a correct response Response chaining –A linked series of actions that leads to reinforcement Superstitious behavior Timing of Reinforcement

Conditioning and Learning

Successive approximations Shaping

Conditioning and Learning

When learned responses that are NOT reinforced gradually fade away Spontaneous recovery Combining reinforcement and extinction –Effective to control negative attention seeking –Using misbehavior to gain attention Operant Extinction

Conditioning and Learning Positive reinforcement –When a response is followed by a pleasant or desirable event that increases responding Negative reinforcement –When a response is followed by the removal of an unpleasant event that increases responding Negative Reinforcement

Conditioning and Learning Punishment –Any event that follows a response with an aversive consequence and decreases the likelihood of it recurring Response cost –Reinforcer or positive state of affairs is removed –Time outs Punishment

Conditioning and Learning

Operant stimulus generalization Operant stimulus discrimination Discriminative stimuli Stimulus Control

Conditioning and Learning Operant Reinforcers Primary reinforcer –Nonlearned and natural; satisfies physiological needs Intracranial self-stimulation Module 30: Reinforcement and Punishment in Detail

Conditioning and Learning Secondary reinforcer –Learned reinforcer Token reinforcer –Tangible secondary reinforcer Social reinforcer –Provided by other people Operant Reinforcers

Conditioning and Learning

Continuous reinforcement Partial reinforcement Partial reinforcement effect Partial Reinforcement

Conditioning and Learning Fixed ratio schedule (FR) Variable ratio schedule (VR) Fixed interval schedule (FI) Variable interval schedule (VI) Schedules of Partial Reinforcement

Conditioning and Learning

Effectiveness depends on immediacy, consistency, and severity Downside of Punishment –Escape learning –Avoidance learning –Aggression Punishment

Conditioning and Learning

Avoid harsh punishment Use the minimum punishment necessary Apply punishment during or immediately after misbehavior Be consistent Use counterconditioning Expect anger from a punished person Punish with kindness and respect Using Punishment Wisely

Conditioning and Learning

Latent learning Cognitive maps Rote learning vs. discovery learning Cognitive Learning

Conditioning and Learning

Modeling or observational learning –Bandura created modeling theory with classic Bobo doll (inflatable clown) experiments Imitating models Modeling

Conditioning and Learning The unfortunate story of Bobo the Clown

Conditioning and Learning

Pay attention to model and remember what was done Reproduce modeled behavior If a model is successful or his/her behavior is rewarded, behavior more likely to recur Once response is tried, normal reinforcement determines whether it will be repeated Steps to Successful Modeling

Conditioning and Learning Does television promote observational learning? –Televised aggression Media violence – Can make aggression more likely, but it does not invariably “cause” it to occur for any given child Modeling and the Media

Conditioning and Learning

Self-managed behavior –Choose a target behavior –Record a baseline –Establish goals –Choose reinforcers –Record your progress –Reward successes –Adjust your plan as you learn more about your –behavior Premack principle Module 31: Behavioral Self- Management

Conditioning and Learning Self-recording –Keeping records of response frequencies Good Ways to Break Bad Habits –Alternative responses –Extinction –Response chains –Cues and antecedents –Contracting Getting help