Learning & Communication: Basic Staff Training Program

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION Training the Trainers What qualifications do staff typically have when first hired (prior coursework, degrees, certification, etc.)? What qualifications do staff typically have when first hired (prior coursework, degrees, certification, etc.)? How long is our typical training program? (weeks) How long is our typical training program? (weeks) How many hours of total training in operant techniques? How many hours of total training in operant techniques? How are new skills learned by trainers? (practica, supervisory evaluations) How are new skills learned by trainers? (practica, supervisory evaluations)

Operant Training Techniques Learning Learning Response events Response events Stimulus events Stimulus events Classical Conditioning Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Operant Conditioning ABC’s of Training ABC’s of Training Contingency Contingency Discriminative stimulusDiscriminative stimulus Stimulus controlStimulus control Stimulus generalizationStimulus generalization Response generalizationResponse generalization Reinforcement (pos. v. neg.)Reinforcement (pos. v. neg.) Punishment (pos. v. neg.)Punishment (pos. v. neg.) Reinforcement typesReinforcement types Reinforcement schedules (variable v. fixed, ration v. interval)Reinforcement schedules (variable v. fixed, ration v. interval)

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION Communication The process of telling the animal what we want or needThe process of telling the animal what we want or need Two mandatory steps to successfully communicate with an animalTwo mandatory steps to successfully communicate with an animal 1.Must become significant: pair yourself with food 2.Need a way to say “YES”: condition a bridge stimulus

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION Communicating Best When Training 1.Have a properly conditioned bridge 2.Break down behavior into successive approximations 3.Utilize targeting techniques 4.Use cumulative training techniques 5.Set your animal up for success!

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION ATAC Bridge Video Log inLog in Click on 'Library'Click on 'Library' Click on 'IMATA Glossary of Terminology'Click on 'IMATA Glossary of Terminology' Click on 'ATAC Video Glossary'Click on 'ATAC Video Glossary' Click on 'Bridge'Click on 'Bridge'

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION 6 Aspects of a Bridge It is a discriminative stimulus (S D ) ‏It is a discriminative stimulus (S D ) ‏ It is a secondary reinforcerIt is a secondary reinforcer A bridge pinpoints the moment in time when the animal achieves proper criteriaA bridge pinpoints the moment in time when the animal achieves proper criteria It bridges the gapIt bridges the gap Can be used intermittently during a behavior or to terminate a behaviorCan be used intermittently during a behavior or to terminate a behavior A bridge sets clear communication meaning “yes” or “good”A bridge sets clear communication meaning “yes” or “good” –It never means “kind of”

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION 4 Training Methods 1.Successive Approximations - Shaping –Behavior pyramid –Utilizes a target as a tool –Benefit A great way to train because you have steps to fall back on if the behavior breaks downA great way to train because you have steps to fall back on if the behavior breaks down 2 Aspects of a Target2 Aspects of a Target –It is an S D 1.It focuses the animal’s attention

Pryor's Ten Laws That Govern Shaping 1.Raise criteria in small increments 2.Train one aspect at a time 3.Have current step of behavior on a variable reinforcement schedule before moving to next step 4.Relax old criteria when training a new aspect of a behavior 5.Be prepared if the subject makes sudden progress

Pryor's Ten Laws That Govern Shaping 6.Do not change trainers midstream 7.If one shaping procedure is not progressing, find another 8.Do not end a session without reason 9.If behavior breaks down, back up to how the behavior was trained 10.If possible, end the session on a positive

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION Fading Fading is a method one can use during the successive approximations used to train a behaviorFading is a method one can use during the successive approximations used to train a behavior ATAC Fading VideoATAC Fading Video – –Log in –Click on 'Library' –Click on 'IMATA Glossary of Terminology' –Click on 'ATAC Video Glossary' –Click on 'Fading'

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION 4 Training Methods 1.Manipulation or Molding –Animal learns to “let the trainer do the work” –Problem Animal does not actively perform behaviorAnimal does not actively perform behavior –Benefits Don’t have to take the time to train the actual behaviorDon’t have to take the time to train the actual behavior Animals usually become quite desensitizedAnimals usually become quite desensitized

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION 4 Training Methods 1.Imitation, Mimicry, or Observational Learning –Animal learns behavior and maintains it based on how reinforcing it is to perform –Problem Animal learns at own pace and must have adequate social mates to learn a lotAnimal learns at own pace and must have adequate social mates to learn a lot Behavior may be difficult to troubleshoot if it degradesBehavior may be difficult to troubleshoot if it degrades –Benefit Relatively short learning curveRelatively short learning curve

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION 4 Training Methods 1.Scanning or Capturing Behavior –Trainer forms the contingency between the animal offering a behavior and opportunities for outside reinforcement –Problem Can’t utilize original “training steps” if the behavior degradesCan’t utilize original “training steps” if the behavior degrades –Benefit Relatively short learning curveRelatively short learning curve

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION Review: Communicating Best When Training 1.Have a properly conditioned bridge 2.Break down behavior into successive approximations 3.Utilize targeting techniques 4.Use cumulative training techniques 5.Set your animal up for success!

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION The Golden Rules of Training To communicate well with your animal, you must be CONSISTENTTo communicate well with your animal, you must be CONSISTENT The rules must be FAIR and PREDICTABLEThe rules must be FAIR and PREDICTABLE

LEARNING & COMMUNICATION Things to Consider Before Training Know the natural history of the species:Know the natural history of the species: –Where the animal lives, physiological needs, social groupings Know the particular individual’s background:Know the particular individual’s background: –Age, sex, health issues, prior training, prior aggression issues Know the environment in which you will be training:Know the environment in which you will be training: –Human and animal safety, ability to view animals, potential for enrichment –Have a plan!

TRAINING Having a Plan Trainers communicate with their animals to modify behaviorTrainers communicate with their animals to modify behavior Consequences affect learning and the overall motivation of an animal in trainingConsequences affect learning and the overall motivation of an animal in training A trainer must have a plan before beginning the training processA trainer must have a plan before beginning the training process

TRAINING Steps to Train an Animal 1.Define the game plan Why are you training this behavior?Why are you training this behavior? Can this compete with other behavioral goals?Can this compete with other behavioral goals? When does it need to be completed?When does it need to be completed? What resources will you need?What resources will you need?

TRAINING Steps to Train an Animal 2.Evaluate the individual’s history What type of learning history does the animal have?What type of learning history does the animal have? Has the animal learned this behavior before?Has the animal learned this behavior before? Is the behavior similar to something the animal already knows?Is the behavior similar to something the animal already knows? Could this training somehow be punishing to your animal?Could this training somehow be punishing to your animal? Will you be changing the context of the target?Will you be changing the context of the target?

TRAINING Steps to Train an Animal 3.Select an S D A unique stimulus that the animal cannot associate with any other stimuliA unique stimulus that the animal cannot associate with any other stimuli Choose something that is simpleChoose something that is simple If possible, have the S D resemble a part of the training processIf possible, have the S D resemble a part of the training process

TRAINING Steps to Train an Animal 4.Create the Pyramid A formal behavioral outlineA formal behavioral outline Identify steps (approximations) to train the behaviorIdentify steps (approximations) to train the behavior It may be necessary to adjust the pyramid once training beginsIt may be necessary to adjust the pyramid once training begins

TRAINING Steps to Train an Animal 5.Execute and Evaluate Implement the pyramidImplement the pyramid Sometimes it can be beneficial to have recent approximations on a variable reinforcement schedule before moving on to the next approximationSometimes it can be beneficial to have recent approximations on a variable reinforcement schedule before moving on to the next approximation If no progress is being made it may be necessary to adjust the pyramid; on the other hand you may skip steps for an animal that is learning quicklyIf no progress is being made it may be necessary to adjust the pyramid; on the other hand you may skip steps for an animal that is learning quickly

TRAINING Summary Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experienceLearning is a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience Operant Conditioning states that behavior is altered by the consequences that follow that behaviorOperant Conditioning states that behavior is altered by the consequences that follow that behavior In order to effectively communicate with an animal, we must become significant and possess a means of saying “good job”In order to effectively communicate with an animal, we must become significant and possess a means of saying “good job” Know the animal and the environmentKnow the animal and the environment

TRAINING Summary Keep training simpleKeep training simple Desensitize objectsDesensitize objects Shaping behavior through the use of targets is preferredShaping behavior through the use of targets is preferred Sharp bridges are essentialSharp bridges are essential Pay attention to reinforcement schedules and ratiosPay attention to reinforcement schedules and ratios

TRAINING Summary Once criterion is established for one approximation, maintain it on an intermittent scheduleOnce criterion is established for one approximation, maintain it on an intermittent schedule Don't over train or over use S D s, desensitization may followDon't over train or over use S D s, desensitization may follow Try to end sessions on a positiveTry to end sessions on a positive Keep it fun!Keep it fun! There is more than one way to train a behaviorThere is more than one way to train a behavior Utilize resourcesUtilize resources

TRAINING The Training Game! ToolsTools –Reinforcement –Bridge –Props The training game can be done with scanning or utilizing a targetThe training game can be done with scanning or utilizing a target Assume that bridges and targets have already been conditionedAssume that bridges and targets have already been conditioned

TRAINING The Training Game! How to playHow to play –A person is chosen to be the "dolphin" and asked to leave the room –The trainer is assigned a behavior to teach the "dolphin" –The trainer prepares the pyramid, then the "dolphin" comes back into the room –Trainer can scan for desired behavior, or use a target –Behavior is complete when the "dolphin" consistently performs behavior correctly