1. Principles of Learning
Chapter 7
Principles of Learning

2. Classical Conditioning
Ivan Pavlov
Classical Conditioning – person’s or animal’s old response becomes attached to a new stimulus
Digestion
Originally what Pavlov investigated
He began to notice that the sight or smell of food was enough to get the dog to salivate

3. Classical Conditioning
Pavlov’s Experiment
Rang a tuning fork and then placed meat powder on the dog’s tongue
After a few times the dog start salivating as soon as it heard the sound – food or no food
Unconditioned Stimulus – event that leads to a certain predictable response with previous training
Unconditioned Response – reaction that occurs naturally and automatically

4. Generalization and Discrimination
Generalization – occurs when an animal responds to a second stimulus that is similar to the first but without prior training
Example: Pavlov conditioned the dog to salivate when it saw a circle. When he showed the dog an oval the dog salivated as well
Discrimination – ability to respond differently to different stimuli
Example: Pavlov conditioned the dog to salivate at the circle but not the oval

5. Classical Conditioning and Human Behavior
John Watson and Rosalie Rayner
Attempted to condition an 11-month old infant named Albert to fear lab rats
This experiment is now viewed as unethical because they taught Albert to fear something he never feared before
Hobart and Mollie Mowrer
Stop children from wetting the bed
Two metallic sheets with small holes and wires set to an alarm are placed under the sheets
As soon as the first drops occur the circuit closes and the alarm goes off
Eventually the child is able to wake up when his or her body senses their bladder is full
Showed the opposite of Watson’s Experiment

6. Taste Aversions John Garcia and R.A. Koelling
Rats were placed in a cage with a tube containing flavored water
Whenever the rat took a drink lights flashed and clicks sounded
After a while some rats were given an electric shock after they drank
These rats associated the lights and clicks with the shock
The other rats were given a drug that made them sick after they drank and the lights and sounds occurred
These rats developed an aversion to the flavored water

7. Reinforcement BF Skinner Operant Conditioning
Skinner Box Experiment
Reinforcement is a stimulus or event that increases the likelihood the behavior will be repeated

8. Schedules of Reinforcement
Fixed-Ratio Schedule
Reinforcement depends on a specified quantity of responses
Example: Dentists getting paid $75 for every cavity they fill
Variable-Ratio Schedule
The number of responses needed for a reinforcement changes from time to time
Example: Slot Machines

9. Schedules of Reinforcements
Fixed Interval Schedule
First correct response after a specified amount of time is reinforced
Example: Teachers giving quizzes are test – you are more likely to study harder right before the test than afterwards
Variable-Interval Schedule
Time at which the reinforcement is given changes
Example: Trying to call your best friend but they are not answering – you will keep trying

10. Aversive Control Negative Reinforcement
A painful or unpleasant stimulus is removed
Example: Walking with a rock in your shoe causes you to limp, removing the rock allows you to walk without hurting
Punishment
Behavior that is punished decreases or is not repeated

11. Aversive Control Disadvantages of Punishment
Aversive Stimuli can produce unwanted side effects such as rage, aggression, and fear
People learn to avoid the person delivering the aversive consequences
Does not teach appropriate and acceptable behavior

12. Social Learning 2 Types Cognitive Modeling
Focuses on how information is obtained, processed, and organized
Modeling
We do what we see

13. Cognitive Learning Latent Learning
Not demonstrated by an immediately observable change in behavior at the time of learning
Example: You are looking for a building in a part of town you are not real familiar with you but when you think about it random facts start appearing in your mind
You have learned some details without intending to do so

14. Learned Helplessness Major Cause of Depression
People maybe less motivated to act and they stop trying
Example: Students who fail a math test can decide if the problem is:
Temporary: I did poorly because I was sick
Stable: I have never done well on math tests and never will

15. Modeling Modeling – observe others and follow their lead
Children follow the behavior of their parents
Individual differences in personality
People act differently when watching violence

16. Behavior Modification
Behavior Modification – systematic application of learning principles
Example: Give your little brother a quarter to leave you alone is behavior modification

17. Token Economies You are given a reward for doing well
Example: Troubled Boys in Washington DC
Given points for good grades and are allowed to cash them in for snacks, lounge privileges, or other items