1. Learning and Human Behavior

2. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 2 What is learning? The process by which an experience or practice results in a relatively permanent change in behavior or potential behavior

3. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 3 Forms of Learning Change in behavior Classical Conditioning Instrumental(Operant) Conditioning Change in potential behavior Cognitive Learning Social learning theory

4. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 4 Classical Conditioning The type of learning in which a response naturally elicited/obtained by one stimulus comes to be elicited/obtained by a different, formerly neutral stimulus

5. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 5 Classical Conditioning continued…………………… (associated) Basic findings by Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Before conditioning (Bell) No response Unconditioned stimulus(Food) Unconditional response(Saliva) During conditioning Conditioned stimulus(Bell) Unconditioned stimulus (Food) Unconditional response (Saliva) After conditioning Conditioned stimulus (Bell) Conditional response (Saliva)

6. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 6 Classical Conditioning continued…………………… Association and prediction Conditions for Classical Conditioning Timings Repetition Classical Conditioning in humans Learning and unlearning phobias

7. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 7 Instrumental(Operant) Conditioning The type of learning in which behaviors are emitted/produced (in presence of a specific stimuli) to earn rewards or avoid punishments Basic findings by Thorndike (1898) and B. F. Skinner (1904-1990)

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9. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 9 Comparison of Classical & Operant Conditioning Similarities Talk about associations Same Features Generalization Discrimination Experimental extinction Spontaneous recovery Differences Elicit Behavior vs Emitted Behavior Reflex/automatically triggered Action vs Voluntary Action Passive vs Active

10. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 10 Instrumental Conditioning continued…………………… Conditions for Operant Conditioning Motivation Reduction of opportunities of irrelevant action Shaping: reinforcement of successive approximations towards desired behavior

11. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 11 Instrumental Conditioning continued…………………… Law of effect/principle of reinforcement Behavior that brings a satisfying effect (reinforcement) is apt to be performed again, whereas the behavior that brings a negative effect (punishment) is apt to be suppressed. Reinforcer An event/consequence that increases the likelihood that the behavior preceding it will occur again Punishment An event/consequence that decreases the likelihood that the behavior preceding it will occur again

12. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 12 Instrumental Conditioning continued…………………… Types of reinforcers Positive reinforcer A pleasant event/consequence whose presence increases the likelihood that the ongoing behavior/response will recur Negative reinforcer Any event/consequence whose reduction or termination increases the likelihood that ongoing behavior will recur

13. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 13 Instrumental Conditioning continued…………………… Punishment Conditions for effective Punishment Swift Sufficient Consistent Drawbacks Only suppresses the undesired behavior Stirs up negative feelings Generates aggression Must be used along with the positive reinforcers Avoidance training can be used as an alternative strategy

14. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 14 Instrumental Conditioning continued…………………… Learned helplessness Failure to take steps to avoid or escape from an unpleasant or aversive stimulus that occurs as a result of previous exposure to unavoidable painful stimuli

15. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 15 Instrumental Conditioning continued…………………… Positive reinforcement Continuous reinforcement – low resistance to extinction Partial reinforcement schedule – high resistance to extinction Fixed interval – regular pays Variable interval – irregular incentives Fixed ratio Rewards on achieving targets Variable ratio gambling

16. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 16 Cognitive Learning Learning that depends on mental processes that are not directly observable Experiments by Tolman & Honzik (1930) Latent learning Learning that is not immediately reflected in a behavior change Cognitive map A stored learned mental image of a spatial environment that may be called on or put to use when required.

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18. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 18 Cognitive learning continued…………………… Insight Learning that occurs rapidly as a result of understanding all elements of a problem Learning set The ability to become increasingly more effective in solving problems as more problems are solved

19. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 19 Social Learning Theory The ability to learn by observing a model or receiving instructions, without firsthand experience by the learner Conditions of learning Attention Memorable act Motivation to convert observation into action Observed reinforcement Observed punishment Learning vs Performance

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21. 6-10-2009 “Learning” Instructor: Saba Nasir 21 Specific Organizational Applications Using lotteries to reduce absenteeism Well pay vs sick pay Employee discipline Developing training programs Creating mentoring programs