1. Unit 6 Learning

2. Classical Conditioning Ivan Pavlov – Russian scientist who did the famous dog experiments – UR: reflexive behavior – US: Stimulus that causes unconditioned response – CR: happens after repeated pairings with the neutral stimulus and US – CS: previously neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with a US and causes the CR Extinction – the CR will gradually weaken and disappear when CS is presented in the absence of the US – Spontaneous recovery: the CR will suddenly appear in response to a CS – Reconditioning: when CS and US are paired together the CR is likely to be learned more quickly

3. Classical Conditioning Stimulus generalization: CR elicited by stimuli similar to original CS Stimulus discrimination: ability to differentiate among related stimuli Higher-order conditioning: a previously neutral stimulus comes to elicit a CR when it is paired with a CS that already produces the CR Stimulus characteristics that strengthen CR – More often the CS is paired with the US the stronger the CR – Stronger US will typically lead to faster conditioning than a weaker one Examples: – __________________

4. Operant Conditioning Thorndike – Law of Effect: We are more likely to repeat responses that have satisfying effects and are less likely to repeat those that lead to discomfort B.F. Skinner –Believed that human behavior is completely determined by environmental and genetic influences –O.C. is the process of learning through punishment and reward Operant Conditioning Principles Positive and negative reinforcement –Positive Reinforcement: introduction of a something strengthens response –Negative Reinforcement: The removal of something that strengthens response

5. Operant Conditioning Primary and secondary reinforces –Primary: satisfy basic needs –Secondary: work from association with primary (need food, want ice cream) Shaping: learning that involves the reinforcement of increasingly closer desired response Extinction: Weakening and eventual elimination of a response that occurs when the response is no longer reinforced

6. Operant Conditioning Schedules of Reinforcement – Continuous reinforcement, reinforcement follows each instance of operant response – Partial reinforcement: only a portion of responses is reinforced Ratio Schedules: reinforcement is based on number of responses Interval Schedules: reinforcement is based on the timing of responses – Fixed-ratio – Variable-ratio – Fixed-interval – Variable-interval

7. Operant Conditioning Punishment –Something unpleasant follows a behavior –Introduce an unpleasant stimulus or remove a pleasant one –Objective: decrease occurrence of undesirable behavior(s) –Drawbacks of punishment May suppress but does not eliminate undesirable behavior Does not teach more preferable behavior Can create anger, fear and lowered self-esteem Used frequently, may become out of control Does not model desirable behaviors for children

8. Other Learning Insight Learning –Process of mentally working through a problem until the sudden realization of a solution occurs: the “Aha!” moment –Idea is that your mind will work through various ways of looking at the problem and eventually finding the answer Latent Learning –Learning that happens without apparent reinforcement, but also is not seen until a reinforcement is presented Two young women go in and apply for a job. They have the same date of birth, the same biological parents and they look exactly alike. When the employer asks them if they are twins, they honestly say “No.”