Unit 6: Learning Classical vs. Operant

Comparing Classical Conditioning & Operant Conditioning Two stimuli (the NS and UCS) are associated A behavior and a consequence (reinforcement or punishment) is associated Behavior affected is usually INVOLUNTARY Behavior affected is usually VOLUNTARY Key events are PRESENTED to the learner Key events are PRODUCED by the learner Events CAUSE the behavior Events CONTROL the behavior The learner does not have a choice The learner has a choice

Ivan PAVLOV discovered classical conditioning key name Ivan PAVLOV 1849-1936 discovered classical conditioning conducted the famous salivating dog experiment Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1904 for his research on digestion

Pavlov’s Dog Experiment NS (neutral stimulus): tuning fork / bell UCS (unconditioned stimulus) sight of food UCR (unconditioned response) salivation CS (conditioned stimulus) tuning fork / bell CR (conditioned response) salivation

NS (neutral stimulus): Every time I go near the cabinet where Rover’s treats are kept, Rover comes and sits, waiting for a treat. NS (neutral stimulus): cabinet UCS (unconditioned stimulus) treats UCR (unconditioned response) come and sit CS (conditioned stimulus) cabinet CR (conditioned response) come and sit

NS (neutral stimulus): Bobby watched the movie JAWS when he was 4-years-old. Now, every time he hears the song, “da-duh, dah-duh, da-duh…) he gets anxious. NS (neutral stimulus): “da-duh” UCS (unconditioned stimulus) scary movie UCR (unconditioned response) fear / anxiety CS (conditioned stimulus) “da-duh” CR (conditioned response) fear / anxiety

More Classical Conditioning Terminology extinction when a CR no longer follows a CS Reappearance of an extinguished response after a rest period spontaneous recovery generalization similar stimuli elicit similar responses learned ability to distinguish between a CS and other similar stimuli discrimination

More Classical Conditioning Terminology extinction when a CR no longer follows a CS Remember the example of a person fearing the Jaws song? CS (conditioned stimulus) “da-duh” CR (conditioned response) fear / anxiety

More Classical Conditioning Terminology Reappearance of an extinguished response after a rest period spontaneous recovery CS (conditioned stimulus) “da-duh” CR (conditioned response) fear / anxiety Time Passes CS (conditioned stimulus) “da-duh” CR (conditioned response) fear / anxiety

More Classical Conditioning Terminology generalization similar stimuli elicit similar responses Remember Pavlov’s dog example? CS (conditioned stimulus) tuning fork Now the dog salivates whenever he hears bells, alarm clocks, or music. The dog has GENERALIZED. CR (conditioned response) salivation

More Classical Conditioning Terminology learned ability to distinguish between a CS and other similar stimuli discrimination Remember Pavlov’s dog example? CS (conditioned stimulus) tuning fork CR (conditioned response) salivation The dog only salivates when he hears that particular tuning fork; never when he hears bells, alarm clocks, or music. The dog has DISCRIMINATED.

B.F. = (Burrhus Frederic ) key name B.F. SKINNER 1904-1990 B.F. = (Burrhus Frederic ) Most significant name in behaviorism (behavior is controlled by reinforcement, not your unconscious) Research on operant conditioning – external influences control behavior Creator of the operant chamber (Skinner Box)

Reinforcement All Reinforcement INCREASES THE LIKELYHOOD that a particular behavior will occur. Positive Reinforcement: encourages a certain behavior by offering a positive stimulus (reward). Negative Reinforcement also ENCOURAGES a particular behavior by removing an aversive (negative) stimulus. Negative Reinforcement IS NOT Punishment Punishment: DISCOURAGES a particular behavior by usually adding an aversive stimulus.

Examples of Negative Reinforcement Prisoners being released early for good behavior. (encouraged to be good so negative environment is removed). You cannot drive your car UNTIL you get better grades. (encouraged to study harder so negative of not having your car is removed). The seatbelt alarm in a car buzzes until you put on the seatbelt. (encouraged to put on seatbelt so that annoying sound is removed)

Examples of Punishment: DISCOURAGES behavior You are grounded because you lied. A child is spanked for cussing. A person is sent to jail for breaking the law

Types of Reinforcement Continuous Reinforcement: reinforcing the desired behavior every time it occurs. Learning happens very quickly. Extinction happens very quickly if reinforcement is stopped. Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement: reinforcing a desired behavior only part of the time. Learning takes longer (slower acquisition) TAKES LONGER for extinction to occur.

Schedules of Reinforcement Fixed-ratio Reinforcement always occurs after a fixed number of operant responses A factory worker may be paid $1 for every 3 T-shirts he makes. = $1

Schedules of Reinforcement Variable-ratio Reinforcement usually occurs after a certain number of operant responses A gambler might win the jackpot after just one pull of the slot machine, or after 52 pulls, or after 2,397 pulls.

Schedules of Reinforcement Fixed-interval Reinforcement always occurs after a fixed amount of time has passed A factory worker may be paid $1 for every 3 hours she works. = $1

Schedules of Reinforcement Variable-interval Reinforcement usually occurs after a certain amount of time has passed A person on parole may be given a random drug test. He/she has no idea when they will be asked for a urine specimen. It could be next week, or a month from now, or several months from now. The next drug test will be: ?????????