1. How we learn & Classical Conditioning Module 26

2. How do we learn? Learning – acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors. Learning – acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors. Habituation – organism’s decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it. Habituation – organism’s decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it. Types of learning: Types of learning: Associative Learning – learning that certain events occur together Associative Learning – learning that certain events occur together Classical conditioning – associating two stimuli Classical conditioning – associating two stimuli Operant conditioning – associating a response and its consequence Operant conditioning – associating a response and its consequence Cognitive learning – the acquisition of mental information, whether by observing others, by watching others, or through language Cognitive learning – the acquisition of mental information, whether by observing others, by watching others, or through language

3. Classical Conditioning Ivan Pavlov – Russian scientist, studied digestion, accidently discovered learning through experience and associations Ivan Pavlov – Russian scientist, studied digestion, accidently discovered learning through experience and associations Classical Conditioning – type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events. Classical Conditioning – type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events. Based on behaviorism – view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior w/out reference to mental processes.Based on behaviorism – view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior w/out reference to mental processes. Meat/bell experiment Meat/bell experiment

5. Classical Conditioning Neutral stimulus (NS) – in classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning Neutral stimulus (NS) – in classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) – a stimulus that automatically and naturally triggers a response (ex) meat Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) – a stimulus that automatically and naturally triggers a response (ex) meat Unconditioned response (UCR) – the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (ex) salivation Unconditioned response (UCR) – the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (ex) salivation Conditioned stimulus (CS) – a previously neutral stimulus that after association with a unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a response (ex) bell Conditioned stimulus (CS) – a previously neutral stimulus that after association with a unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a response (ex) bell Conditioned response (CR) – the learned response to a previously neutral conditioned stimulus (ex) salivation Conditioned response (CR) – the learned response to a previously neutral conditioned stimulus (ex) salivation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE8pFWP5QDM The Office clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE8pFWP5QDM The Office clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE8pFWP5QDM

6. Classical conditioning Acquisition – the initial stage of learning; the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response Acquisition – the initial stage of learning; the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response Higher-order conditioning – a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second(often weaker) conditioned stimulus Higher-order conditioning – a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second(often weaker) conditioned stimulus Extinction – the diminishing of a conditioned response. This occurs because the unconditioned stimulus no longer follows the conditioned stimulus Extinction – the diminishing of a conditioned response. This occurs because the unconditioned stimulus no longer follows the conditioned stimulus Spontaneous Recovery – the reappearance after a rest period of an extinguished conditioned response Spontaneous Recovery – the reappearance after a rest period of an extinguished conditioned response

7. Classical Conditioning Generalization – the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses. Generalization – the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses. Discrimination – the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus Discrimination – the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus

8. Importance/applications Can be studied objectively and is a basic form of learning that applies to all speciesCan be studied objectively and is a basic form of learning that applies to all species “Little Albert” experiment“Little Albert” experiment Health and well-being (therapy):Health and well-being (therapy): Used to learn to avoid things that trigger associations (drugs)Used to learn to avoid things that trigger associations (drugs) Fears:Fears: CounterconditioningCounterconditioning Systematic desensitizationSystematic desensitization FloodingFlooding