1. Behavioral Approach

2. Assumptions of Behaviorism
All species of animals learn in similar (equal ways with the same guiding principles
To understand learning processes, focus on stimulus and responses
Internal process should be excluded from the study of learning.
Learning is evidenced by a behavior change

3. Assumptions of Behaviorism (cont.)
Organisms are blank slates at birth
Learning is a result of environmental events

4. Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus (stimulus that naturally produces a desired response; food)
Unconditioned Response (response naturally occurring in the presence of the US; salivating)
Conditioned Stimulus (neutral stimulus paired with the US; bell)
Conditioned Response (response occurring in the presence of the CS)

5. Classical Conditioning
US UR
US + CS UR
CS CR
Response may generalize to other stimuli similar to the CS.

6. Operant Conditioning Positive and Negative Reinforcement
Positive and Negative Punishment
In general, reinforcement may be continuous (or fixed) or partial (or intermittent)

7. Reinforcement
Positive reinforcer: “Rewards” or something desireable is received after a behavior occurs
Negative reinforcer: “Escapes” or something undesirable is avoided after a behavior occurs

8. Punishment
Presentation punishment: An undesirable stimulus is received after a behavior occurs
Removal punishment: A desireable is lost or removed after a behavior occurs

9. Antecedents
A prompt of cue that comes before a behavior that results in the correct behavior being elicited.

10. Comparisons Classical conditioning Operant conditioning
Two stimuli, UCS and CS, are paired
A response (R) is followed by a reinforcing stimulus (S)
Involuntary behavior : elicited by a stimulus
Voluntary behavior: emitted by an organism
CS CR
R S
OR: S-R-S

11. Mowrer’s two factor theory
Mowrer (1960) described a model where both classical and operant conditioning work to influence the maintenance of psychopathology.
Initial fear acquisition through classical conditioning  naturally leads to avoidance of feared stimuli (negative reinforcement)  avoidance prevents contact with feared stimulus so extinction can’t take place.

12. Observational Learning
Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment.
Evolution may also play a role in observational learning.

13. Cognitive Theories Types of cognition Causal attributions
Control beliefs
Dysfunctional assumptions