Learning

Learning Learning is achieved through experience. Humans learn all of the time 3 major types of learning: Classical conditioning Operant conditioning Observational learning

Classical Conditioning A learning procedure in which associations are made between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. Timing is critical! Ivan Pavlov-Physiologist Experiment with the dogs. The dogs salivated at the sound of the bell.

Classical Conditioning Letters Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): a stimulus that causes a response that is automatic not learned. (food) Unconditioned Response (UCR): the automatic response (salivation) Conditioned response (CR): a learned response to a stimulus that was neutral or meaningless. (salivation) Conditioned Stimulus (CS): a learned stimulus (bell)

Taste Aversions A learned avoidance to a particular food Ex: You eat a burger, you get sick. You associate the sickness with the burger. You never ever want to eat a burger again. It only takes one time to create a taste aversion. It can last for a very long time!

Extinction The disappearance of the CR when a UCS no longer follows a CS. When Pavlov rang bell but did not follow with meat the dogs eventually stopped salivating.

Spontaneous Recovery The reappearance of a extinguished CR after some time has passed. If Pavlov started ringing bell again and following it with meat after a few days, dogs will start salivating again.

Generalization The act of responding in the same way to a stimulus that seem to be similar.

Discrimination The ability to distinguish the conditioned stimulus from other stimuli that are similar.

Flooding A person is exposed to a harmless stimuli until fear responses to that fear are extinguished. Helps with fears but can be unpleasant Based on the idea of extinction Effective

Systematic Desensitization People are gradually exposed to whatever stimulus they fear while they remain relaxed. An alternative to flooding

Counterconditioning A pleasant stimulus is paired repeatedly with a fearful one counteracting the fear. Helps overcome fears Peter and treats example.

Applications Can help people overcome fears (phobias) Children and bed wetting Classical conditioning as told by Frasier Crane

Tips to Remember Change the term “conditioned” to “learned” UCR and the CR are usually the same UCS causes a response that is not learned CS causes a response that is learned or becomes an association

Baby Albert John Watson and Baby Albert

Operant conditioning Occurs when the consequences that follow a behavior increase or decrease the likelihood of the behavior occurring again B.F. Skinner-psychologist Experiments with rats or pigeons in a Skinner Box. For example, rats had to find the way out to receive food (the reinforcement)

Pigeons and Ping Pong Skinner and Pigeons

Types of Reinforcers Primary: function due to the biological makeup of an organism. Innately satisfying. Food, water and warmth Secondary: value is learned like money, attention, social approval

Positive reinforcement Increase the frequency of behavior they follow when they are applied May be different for everyone Treats, praise Adding something to increase behavior

Negative reinforcement Increase the frequency of the behavior they follow when they are removed or subtracted They are usually unpleasant (disapproval, fear, and social disapproval) Taking away something to increase the desired behavior

Schedules of Reinforcement Continuous reinforcement: Occurs when behavior is reinforced every time there is a correct response Great way in beginning to shape behavior. Every time a dog sits, give him a treat.

Schedules of Reinforcement Partial reinforcement: rewarded on an intermittent basis. (every so often) Great way for maintaining desired behavior. Once dog is trained to sit, reward him with a treat every so often but not every time.

Shaping Shaping: Reinforcers guide behaviors towards desired target behavior through successive approximations. teaching a dog to roll over

Punishment An aversive stimulus that decreases the probability of the behavior occurring again. Not as effective. Immediate change but not long term Instills fear doesn’t always change behavior. EX: Speeding ticket

Applications Classroom discipline Parenting Sheldon trains Penny

Observational Learning Learn by seeing (observing) others Also called social learning Albert Bandura-psychologist Bobo doll experiment-concluded children learned aggressive behaviors simply watching a model performing these behaviors. Bobo Doll Experiment

END

Learned helplessness- condition in which repeated attempts to control a situation fail resulting in the belief that the situation is uncontrollable.

Learned helplessness Some believe this is a cause of depression for many reasons People are less motivated to act and stop trying Low self esteem Unable to control situations Elevator and learned helplessness

Modeling Observational learning Bobo doll Copying or imitating behavior

Examples Children learn to speak, act, eat and play Advertising Media

Behavior Modification Using learning principles to change people’s actions or feelings. Ex-token economies, sticker charts etc.