LEARNING

Ivan Pavlov (1849–1936)

Classical Conditioning basic learning process discovered by Pavlov that involves repeatedly pairing a neutral stimulus with a response-producing stimulus until the neutral stimulus triggers the same response

John B. Watson Believed that Psychology should be redefined as “the scientific study of behavior” Founded Behaviorism in 1913 Behaviorism was the dominant school of Psychology for more than 50 years

“Little Albert” Experiment

Practice Problems for CC When you were still together, you and your ex used to love the same hit song. Now when you hear that song, you feel sad.

Practice Problems for CC (2) A fourth grade teacher who was very strict and scary used to wear a strong, rose-scented perfume. The smell of roses now makes you very nervous.

Practice Problems for CC (3) One night you bought a meal deal at McDonald’s, you arrived home to find a burger, fries, colas, and three roaches in the bag. Now, even the sight of the McDonald’s logo makes you sick to your stomach.

Operant Conditioning learning process in which behavior is shaped and maintained by manipulating its consequenceslearning process in which behavior is shaped and maintained by manipulating its consequences Operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviors.Operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviors. Operants are actions upon the environment, which may lead to reinforcement or punishmentOperants are actions upon the environment, which may lead to reinforcement or punishment

Founder of Operant Conditioning Invented “Skinner Box” Won “Sexiest Man Alive” award in 1939 B. F. Skinner

Reinforcement anything that strengthens a response or increases ( ) the chance that it will occur almost anything can act as a reinforcer – food, sex, vacation, etc. Remember: Reinforcement INCREASES ( ) behavior

Positive Reinforcement Positive consequence that increases the chance of desired behavior because something is added (+) or presented. Can be thought of as a reward Represented by: + positive (+), reinforcement ( )

Negative Reinforcement

Works to increase behavior but does this by removing an unwanted stimulus Think of negative sign (-), REMOVING unwanted stimulus EX: Beeping noise from car – buckle seatbelt – noise goes away – noise is the negative reinforcement

Shaping - gradually molding a desired behavior by reinforcing responses that are similar or close to the final desired behavior

Punishment anything that weakens a response or decreases the chance that it will occur ( )

Positive Punishment (+ ) decreases behavior by adding an unpleasant stimulus Remember, think positive as in plus sign (+), adding something EX: spanking, a prison sentence, or criticizing someone

Operant conditioning. Having received a face full of quills, a young coyote has probably learned to avoid porcupines

Negative Punishment decreases behavior by removing a pleasant stimulus ( - ) EX: taking away car keys to punish a teenager (work to decrease future behavior)

Negative Reinforcement v. Punishment Many people confuse negative reinforcement and punishment. Negative Reinforcement always increases behavior Punishment always decreases behavior.

Negative Reinforcement v. Punishment Example

Practice Problems for OC Clare studies hard and gets an A on her Biology test. The teacher praises her in front of the class. As a result, Clare stops studying earns a failing grade on the next two exams.

Practice Problems for OC (2) Mike was more likely to return his rental DVD’s on time after the video store raised their late charges.

Practice Problems for OC (3) Jane came home late and her parents took away her car privileges for a week. In the future, Jane made sure to come home on time.

Practice Problems for OC (4) Jose did not like to do his homework. One day his mom told Jose that he could play video games for an hour after his homework was done. Jose completed his homework more often as a result.

Practice Problems for OC (5) Dr. Venkman claims he is studying “the affect of negative reinforcement on ESP ability” by applying electric shocks to subjects that do not identify the correct Zener card. Is this actually “negative reinforcement”? Why or why not?

Practice Problems for OC (5) Dr. Venkman claims he is studying “the affect of negative reinforcement on ESP ability” by applying electric shocks to subjects that do not identify the correct Zener card. Is this actually “negative reinforcement”? Why or why not? Dr. Venkman claims he is studying “the affect of negative reinforcement on ESP ability” by applying electric shocks to subjects that do not identify the correct Zener card. Is this actually “negative reinforcement”? Why or why not?

Classical ConditioningOperant Conditioning Uses the term responseUses the term behavior Response is biologically based (ex: fear or anxiety); involuntary Behavior is not biologically based; it is voluntary Main components: stimulus and its response Main components: behavior and its consequence Cannot be used to shape behaviorCan be used to shape behavior Stimulus causes the responseConsequence influences the behavior To extinguish the response: stop pairing To decrease learned behavior: stop reinforcing Extinction: stop pairingExtinction: stop reinforcing

Observational Learning Includes learning by imitation and learning by observing behaviors of others Albert Bandura is psychologist most associated with this theory.

Parents, movie stars, political figures all act as models A large part of our behaviors are influenced by observational learning EX: When walk in a room how do we decide how to behave? How do we know what to wear, where to sit, what to do? Fears can be acquired by observational learning

Bobo Doll Experiment

4 Cognitive Processes that determine whether imitation will occur: Paying attention to the other person’s behavior Forming and storing mental representations of the behavior to be imitated Transforming this mental representation into actions you are capable of reproducing And, being motivated to imitate the behavior by some expectation of reinforcement or reward