Part 1- Behaviorist Learning Theory Chapter 6: Learning Part 1- Behaviorist Learning Theory Case Study: The Little Albert Experiment Section 1: Classical Conditioning Section 2: Operant Conditioning

Case Study: The Little Albert Experiment The Little Albert experiment showed that emotional reactions such as fear can be taught through classical conditioning. Eleven-month-old Albert was conditioned to fear a white rat rather than be amused by it. Psychologists achieved this by pairing the rat with something that Albert would find instinctively frightening. The Experiment After they paired the rat with loud noises, Albert showed a fear of the rat even when there was no noise. Albert’s fear spread to similar objects. By today’s standards, the experiment was unethical. The Results –

What do you think? How did Watson and Rayner condition Little Albert to fear white rats? Do you think you have learned to fear or enjoy certain things because of conditioning or association? Explain.

Section 1 at a Glance Classical Conditioning Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov pioneered research into a form of learning known as classical conditioning. In classical conditioning, one stimulus causes a response that is usually caused by another stimulus. Classical conditioning can help people adapt to the environment and can help eliminate troubling fears or other behaviors.

Classical Conditioning in Action

Classical Conditioning Main Idea Classical conditioning is a form of learning that involves the use of a stimulus to generate a specific response. Reading Focus What are the basic principles of classical conditioning? How might classical conditioning help people or animals adapt to the environment? What are some applications of classical conditioning?

Principles of Classical Conditioning Conditioning is a type of learning that involves stimulus-response connections. Classical conditioning is a simple form of learning in which one stimulus calls forth the response that is usually called forth by another stimulus. Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov used dogs in his studies of classical conditioning. He trained the dogs to associate the sound of a bell with food. They learned that the sound of the bell meant food was coming. Pavlov’s Dogs Unconditioned stimulus: a stimulus that causes a response that is automatic, not learned Unconditioned response: caused by an unconditioned stimulus Conditioned response: a learned response to a neutral stimulus Conditioned stimulus: a previously neutral stimulus that causes a conditioned response Stimulus and Response –

How does classical conditioning occur? Reading Check Summarize How does classical conditioning occur? Answer: One stimulus calls forth the response that is usually called forth by another stimulus.

Applications of Classical Conditioning Flooding and Systematic Desensitization In flooding, a person is exposed to the harmless stimulus until fear responses to that stimulus are extinguished. With systematic desensitization, people learn relaxation techniques and then, while they are relaxed, they are gradually exposed to the stimulus they fear. Counterconditioning In counterconditioning, a pleasant stimulus is paired repeatedly with a fearful one, counteracting the fear.

Section 2 at a Glance Operant Conditioning Psychologist B.F. Skinner helped pioneer research into a form of learning known as operant conditioning, in which individuals learn from the consequences of their actions. Operant conditioning depends on the use of reinforcements and a schedule to execute them. The principles of operant conditioning can be applied to help people or animals learn to combine a series of simple steps or actions to form complex behaviors.

Operant Conditioning Main Idea Reading Focus Operant conditioning occurs when people or animals have learned to respond to a certain situation. Reading Focus How are operant conditioning and reinforcement related? What are the main types of reinforcers? How do rewards and punishments shape learning? How do schedules of reinforcement influence learning? What are some applications of operant conditioning?

Operant Conditioning and Reinforcement In operant conditioning, people and animals learn to do certain things—and not to do others—because of the results of what they do. They learn from the consequences of their actions. In operant conditioning, voluntary responses are conditioned. B.F. Skinner studied operant conditioning by using the “Skinner box.” His experiment demonstrated reinforcement, or the process by which a stimulus (food) increases the chances that a preceding behavior (a rat pressing a lever) will occur again. Knowledge of results is often all the reinforcement that people need to learn new skills.

How does reinforcement result in operant conditioning? Reading Check Describe How does reinforcement result in operant conditioning? Answer: In operant conditioning, people and animals learn to do certain things because of the results of what they do. Reinforcement increases the chances that such behavior will occur again.

Types of Reinforcers Primary and Secondary Reinforcers Primary reinforcers are reinforcers that function due to the biological makeup of an organism. Secondary reinforcers are learned by being paired with primary reinforcers. Money is a secondary reinforcer because we have learned that it may be exchanged for primary reinforcers like food and shelter. Positive and Negative Reinforcers Positive reinforcers increase the frequency of a behavior. In positive reinforcement, a person receives something he or she wants following the behavior. Negative reinforcers increase the frequency of a behavior when they are removed. In negative reinforcement, a behavior is reinforced because something unwanted stops happening or is removed following the behavior.

Describe the four main types of reinforcers. Reading Check Summarize Describe the four main types of reinforcers. Answer: Primary reinforcers are those that people and animals do not need to be taught to value, such as food and water. Secondary reinforcers, like money, must be learned. Positive reinforcers, such as food and fun, increase the frequency of the behavior they follow when they are applied. Negative reinforcers increase the frequency of the behavior that follows when they are removed. They are unpleasant, and include discomfort and fear.

Rewards and Punishments Like positive reinforcement, rewards help encourage learning. Some psychologists, however, prefer positive reinforcement because the concept of reinforcement can be explained without trying to guess what an organism will find rewarding. Punishments Punishments are quite different from negative reinforcers. Punishments are unwanted events that decrease the frequency of the behavior they follow. Punishments tend to work only when they are guaranteed. Most psychologists believe it is preferable to reward children for desirable behavior than punish them for unwanted behavior.

Explain how punishments are different from negative reinforcers. Reading Check Contrast Explain how punishments are different from negative reinforcers. Answer: Negative reinforcers increase the frequency of a behavior by being removed, whereas punishments, when applied, decrease the frequency of the behavior they follow.

Schedules of Reinforcement The effectiveness of a reinforcement depends on the schedule of reinforcement—when and how often the reinforcement occurs. Continuous reinforcement is the reinforcement of a behavior every time the behavior occurs. Continuous reinforcement is not always practical or possible. The alternative is partial reinforcement, which means a behavior is not reinforced every time the behavior occurs. Continuous and Partial Reinforcement Fixed-interval schedule: a fixed amount of time must elapse between reinforcements Variable-interval schedule: varying amounts of time go by between reinforcements Interval Schedules –

Reading Check Infer Why are both variable-interval schedules and variable-ratio schedules successful? Answer: because timing is unpredictable; reinforcement can come at any time

Applications of Operant Conditioning Shaping and Chaining Shaping is a way of teaching complex behaviors in which one first reinforces small steps in the total activity. Chaining is combining the steps of a sequence to progress toward a final action. Chaining can be forward or backward. Chaining can be used to teach complex behavior patterns to animals. Programmed Learning Programmed learning is based on shaping and chaining. Developed by B.F. Skinner, it assumes that any task can be broken down into small steps. Programmed learning does not involve punishments. Instead, it reinforces correct responses.