Learning Psychology Unit 3

Learning results in a change in behaviour that occurs due to experience It may be active or passive, intentional or unintentional It is relatively permanent What is learning?

Early theorists described learning as a behavioural change to a stimulus in the environment They developed what are called stimuli-response theories Modern theorists describe learning more as human making sense of the world and problem solving One such theory is called observational learning What is the fundamental difference in the focus of these 2 approaches to learning? External changes vs. internal processes Theories of learning

Theories of learning We will be discussing: Classical conditioning Pavlov & Little Albert Operant conditioning Skinner & Thorndike Observational learning Bandura’s Bobo doll Theories of learning

Classical conditioning Classical conditioning is learning that occurs through the repeated association of two or more stimuli Learning only occurs when a stimulus consistently produces the same reaction Example: Pavlov’s dogs (pg. 254); Little Albert Stimulus Any event that produces a response Response A reaction to a stimulus Classical conditioning

Unconditioned stimulus & response Unconditioned stimulus (UNS) Produces a particular, naturally occurring and automatic response Examples: Pavlov’s dogs dog food Babies nipple in a baby’s mouth Unconditioned response (UNR) Occurs naturally when the unconditioned stimulus is present It is a reflexive and involuntary response to the UCS Examples: Pavlov’s dogs dog salivating Babies baby’s sucking reflex Unconditioned stimulus & response

Conditioned stimulus & response Conditioned stimulus (CS) Stimulus is neutral at the start When the conditioned stimulus is associated with the unconditioned stimulus and causes a similar response Pavlov’s dogs Bell is initially neutral Babies Appearance of mother’s breast, smell of milk Conditioned response (CR) Learned response produced by the CS Conditioned response occurs after the conditioned stimulus is associated with the unconditioned response Pavlov’s dogs Dog salivates when it hears bell Babies Starts to suckle when it sees or smells the mother Conditioned stimulus & response

Applications of classical conditioning Aversion therapy Used to inhibit or discourage unwanted behaviour Pair the response with something undesirable eg. pain, disgust Example Nail biting Applications of classical conditioning

Learning and behaviour explained by its consequences rather than learning and behaviour because of an external stimulus Includes reinforcements and punishments Operant conditioning

Reinforcement & punishment Consequence that causes behaviour to occur more frequently. Rewards are called reinforcers. Positive reinforcement Behaviour is followed by the giving of a pleasant reward eg. food Negative reinforcement Behaviour is followed by the removal of an unpleasant outcome eg. cessation of a loud noise Punishment Consequence that causes behaviour to occur less frequently. It is given out. Reinforcement & punishment

Processes of conditioning Acquisition Overall learning process Extinction The behaviour gradually decreases as the stimulus/reinforcer ceases Spontaneous recovery Extinction might not be permanent Stimulus generalisation Occurs when other similar stimuli trigger the same response Occurs when similar behaviours to the behaviour that was reinforced are triggered Stimulus discrimination Behaviour specific only to the stimulus or reinforcer Processes of conditioning

Operant conditioning

Operant conditioning

Observational learning Theory developed by Albert Bandura Most skills are learned through observational learning Also called modelling Observational learning is not separate from operant conditioning or even classical conditioning but happens concurrently or vicariously (indirectly) Observational learning

Observational learning Observational learning takes place when a new behaviour is learned or an existing behaviour is modified as a result of: watching others and copying their behaviours or after watching the consequences of the behaviour of others Bobo doll Observational learning

Reciprocal determinism What is reciprocal determinism? It is a model composed of three factors that influence behaviour: the environment the individual the behaviour itself Essentially, Bandura proposed that an individual's behaviour influences and is influenced by both the social environment and personal characteristics. In other words, the environment causes behaviour (and learning) and behaviour (and learning) can change the environment Reciprocal determinism

Reciprocal determinism The environment physical surroundings that contain potentially reinforcing stimuli includes people who are present (or absent). influences the intensity and frequency of the behaviour the behaviour itself can have an impact on the environment. The individual the characteristics that have been rewarded in the past. personality and cognitive factors The behaviour may or may not be reinforced in any given situation. Reciprocal determinism

Elements of operational learning Attention To learn anything, the learner must pay attention to the model Memory The learner must be able to retain the memory of what was observed and store it as a meaningful whole Elements of operational learning

Elements of operational learning Imitation The learner must be capable of imitating or reproducing the actions of the model Motivation & reinforcement Learner must be motivated to perform the action External reinforcement learning by consequence Vicarious reinforcement reinforced for other people Self-reinforcement reinforced by personal goals & motivation Elements of operational learning