Chapter 1 Introduction Historical background Five schools of behaviorism
Defining Learning a relatively permanent change in knowledge or behavior that results from experience. (behavior: any activity that can be either directly or indirectly observed)
Two Basic Types of Learning Classical conditioning Process by which an inborn, involuntary behavior is produced in new situations
Two Basic Types of Learning Operant conditioning Strengthening or weakening of a voluntary behavior because of its consequences Behavior (dog sits) Scolding Praise Nothing Behavior Increases or decreases Food Reinforcers
Skinner Box (Conditioning Box)
Sniffy the Virtual Rat
Historical Background Aristotle ( BC) Law of similarity Law of contrast Law of contiguity Law of frequency
Historical Background Descartes Mind-body dualism British empiricists Tabula rasa
Historical Background Structuralism Introspection Functionalism
von Osten’s goal: prove humans and animals have similar mental processes Clever Hans, the clever horse
Used experimental approach 2 groups of questioners Group 1 knew the answers Group 2 did not know the answers Hans only answered correctly when questioners knew the answers Clever Hans, the clever horse An Investigation
Conclusion: Hans was receiving some type of information from questioners Hans had been unintentionally conditioned by his owner Impact: Scientists more skeptical of mental processes in animals But… Provided proof that animals were capable of learning Clever Hans, the clever horse An Investigation
Historical Background Behaviorism Watson 1913: Watson declared war Dealt solely with observable behavior Rejected mentalistic concepts Goal: prediction and control of behavior 1924: Watsonian behaviorism preeminent in US Law of parsimony
Watson’s Life ( ) 1920: Scandal Affair with student Rosalie Rayner Watson forced to resign Moved into advertising
Five schools of behaviorism Watsonian behaviorism Neobehaviorism: Hull Intervening variables Cognitive Neobehaviorism: Tolman Cognitive map Latent learning Social Learning Theory: Bandura Reciprocal determinism Radical Behaviorism: Skinner