1. Learning = 7-9% of AP Exam
Rat Maze Activity
Time yourself as you complete the maze starting at the ear and ending at the tail
you must work on your own to complete it
receive a piece of candy when maze completed if you beat your previous time
Try again—you can complete as many mazes as possible in the time allotted

2. A Demonstration in Instrumental Learning and Operant Conditioning
Rat Mazes
A Demonstration in Instrumental Learning and Operant Conditioning
This is an example of
trial and error learning
instrumental learning/conditioning
Thorndike = response to a stimulus is strengthened when they are instrumental in producing rewards
operant conditioning
B. F. Skinner = positive reinforcers strengthen a response if experienced after the response occurs
Each time a completed maze was handed in, candy was received as positive reinforcement

3. Lemonade Experiment

4. What is Learning? Learning refers to the
relatively permanent change in subject’s behavior to a given situation
brought about by repeated experience in that situation
We learn by association (Associative Learning)
Our minds naturally connect events that occur in sequence
learning that two events occur together

5. Classical Conditioning VS Operant Conditioning
Process of learning based on producing positive consequences and avoiding negative ones
Measured by rate of response
Skinner (pigeons)
Classical
Neutral stimulus is paired with a stimulus that elicits response
Eventually the neutral stimulus causes the response
Pavlov (dog saliva)
Watson (little Albert)

6. Classical (AKA Pavlovian) Conditioning
We learn to associate two stimuli

7. Classical Conditioning Terms
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
stimulus that unconditionally--automatically and naturally--triggers a response
Unconditioned Response (UCR)
unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response
Conditioned Response (CR)
learned response to a previously neutral conditioned stimulus
Acquisition
the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus (CS) comes to elicit a conditioned response

8. Pavlov’s Classic Experiment
Pavlov’s Classic Experiment
Before Conditioning
UCS (food
in mouth)
Neutral
stimulus
(tone)
UCR
(salivation) No
salivation
During Conditioning
After Conditioning
UCS (food
in mouth) CS
(tone)
Neutral
stimulus
(tone)
UCR
(salivation)
CR (salivation)

9. A Classic Study John B. Watson Conditioned “emotion”
Fear response in humans (1920)
Little Albert
Crash Couse link:

10. UCS==== UCR

11. N UCS====== UCR

12. Repeated pairings. . . CS (originally irrelevant!) === CR

13. SO. . . Who gives the shots? WHY?

14. Extinction The gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of the CR
Involves repeatedly presenting the CS without pairing it with the UCS (like if you hear the name Pavlov over the weekend)

15. Spontaneous Recovery
Occurs when a previously extinguished CR suddenly reappears after a period of no training

16. Generalization Tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the CS.
Ex. A child who has been bit by a dog may fear all dogs.
After 9/11, people responded anxiously to the sight or sound of planes.
Generalization can be adaptive
toddlers are taught to fear moving cars in the street and would respond similarly to trucks and motorcycles.

17. Discrimination
Occurs when stimuli similar to the CS do NOT produce a CR
The more similar the stimuli are to the CS, the greater the difficulty of discrimination
Being able to recognize these differences is adaptive.
Ex. Confronted by a pit bull, your heart may race; confronted by a golden retriever, it likely will not.

18. A song on classical conditioning for your enjoyment…

19. A preview of Operant Conditioning: The Gothowitz Deviation