Miscellaneous stuff about learning That I put in a powerpoint because I’m not in school today

Why doesn’t punishment work? Negative side effects Negative side effects –Fear and avoidance of the punisher –Doesn’t teach appropriate behavior –Can lead to aggression and/or rage –Generally only suppresses unwanted behavior (it will continue when the punisher is not around) rather than eliminating it

Punishment appears to work because of Regression toward the mean Regression toward the mean –If Alexander (or Alexis) is having a terrible, horrible, awful, no good, very bad day, it is likely that tomorrow he (she) will be better no matter if he/she is punished or not. What is the likelihood that two such days will occur in sequence? Not likely.

However, Alexander’s (Alexis’) parents believe that their punishment worked! He (she) was horrible, terrible, awful, no good and very bad, yesterday, we punished and now he (she) is better! Spanking is great! However, Alexander’s (Alexis’) parents believe that their punishment worked! He (she) was horrible, terrible, awful, no good and very bad, yesterday, we punished and now he (she) is better! Spanking is great!

Poor misguided parents! It is likely that their child would be better any way. Poor misguided parents! It is likely that their child would be better any way. Likewise, parents often don’t believe that positive reinforcement works….also because of regression toward the mean. Likewise, parents often don’t believe that positive reinforcement works….also because of regression toward the mean. Alexander (Alexis) is great one day and is positively reinforced. How likely is it that a second such wonderful day will occur tomorrow? Not likely! Alexander (Alexis) is great one day and is positively reinforced. How likely is it that a second such wonderful day will occur tomorrow? Not likely!

So the next day there is regression toward the mean, Alexander (Alexis) isn’t horrible but not as good as the day before. So the next day there is regression toward the mean, Alexander (Alexis) isn’t horrible but not as good as the day before. The parents think “See, positive reinforcement doesn’t work!” The parents think “See, positive reinforcement doesn’t work!” Poor misguided parents! Over time, positive reinforcement will move the mean of the child’s behavior toward better average behavior. Poor misguided parents! Over time, positive reinforcement will move the mean of the child’s behavior toward better average behavior.

NEW TOPIC: Observational Learning Observational learning is simply learning that takes place after observing some one else. In psychology we refer to this person as the “model.” Observational learning is sometimes called “modeling.” Observational learning is simply learning that takes place after observing some one else. In psychology we refer to this person as the “model.” Observational learning is sometimes called “modeling.”

Albert Bandura’s Social Learning theory Albert Bandura is technically a behaviorist psychologist but his theory of observational learning involves cognitive components as well…. Albert Bandura is technically a behaviorist psychologist but his theory of observational learning involves cognitive components as well….

He identified four key processes –Attention – in order to learn through observational learning you must pay attention to another person’s behavior. (You know from our sensation and perception unit that you don’t always perceive all the stimuli around you.)

Retention—in order to learn through observational learning you must store a mental representation of what you saw in your memory Retention—in order to learn through observational learning you must store a mental representation of what you saw in your memory

Reproduction – You have to reproduce the behavior you saw – you must be able to replicate the behavior. This is not always possible. You sometimes must have specific skills/abilities to do so….How many of us can sing like Beyonce, or swim like Michael Phelps, or dance like Michael Jackson (could)…. Just paying attention and remembering is not enough! Reproduction – You have to reproduce the behavior you saw – you must be able to replicate the behavior. This is not always possible. You sometimes must have specific skills/abilities to do so….How many of us can sing like Beyonce, or swim like Michael Phelps, or dance like Michael Jackson (could)…. Just paying attention and remembering is not enough!

Motivation – finally, you must want to reproduce the behavior. Whether or not you do so depends on your estimation of the possible consequences FOR YOU…. Often it depends on what consequences you observed the other person encountering. Motivation – finally, you must want to reproduce the behavior. Whether or not you do so depends on your estimation of the possible consequences FOR YOU…. Often it depends on what consequences you observed the other person encountering.

FINALLY We have looked at Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, and Observational learning as if they were three separate and distinct things…. We have looked at Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, and Observational learning as if they were three separate and distinct things….

In reality they are not…. We may observe a model and replicate their behavior (watch a coach execute a skill in sports and then copy it), and then be positively reinforced for that behavior (praise from the coach or scoring points in a game). This would be a combination of observational and operant conditioning. In reality they are not…. We may observe a model and replicate their behavior (watch a coach execute a skill in sports and then copy it), and then be positively reinforced for that behavior (praise from the coach or scoring points in a game). This would be a combination of observational and operant conditioning.

STOP COPYING… These are the directions for what I want you to do next! Form a group of 2 or 3 people Form a group of 2 or 3 people Get a textbook Get a textbook Turn to page 252 Turn to page 252 Stop making fun of the chubby kid Stop making fun of the chubby kid Read the section, paying close attention to figure 6.27 Read the section, paying close attention to figure 6.27 Design a behavior modification program that might work for you…. Design a behavior modification program that might work for you….

Be sure to include the behavior Be sure to include the behavior The situations in which the behavior occurs (controlling antecedents) The situations in which the behavior occurs (controlling antecedents) The level of the current behavior The level of the current behavior Reinforcement you currently receive for the behavior Reinforcement you currently receive for the behavior Strategies to change the behavior Strategies to change the behavior Reinforcement you will give for the new, desired behavior, ….everything up to step 4…. Reinforcement you will give for the new, desired behavior, ….everything up to step 4….