chapter 5 Learning

chapter 5 What is Learning? Occurs whenever experience or practice results in a relatively permanent change in behavior

chapter 5 Classical Conditioning A form of learning in which a response elicited by one stimulus becomes elicited by a previously neutral stimulus

chapter 5 Classical Conditioning Terms Unconditioned stimulus (US) Unconditioned response (UR) Neutral stimulus Conditioned stimulus (CS) Conditioned response (CR)

chapter 5 Response Acquisition

chapter 5 Classical Conditioning in Humans Early research J. B. Watson classically conditions “Little Albert” to fear white rats Mary Cover Jones conditions “Peter” to not fear white rats J. Wolpe adapted Jones’ procedure “desensitization therapy” Teaching relaxation in periods of fearful or anxious situations

chapter 5 Classical Conditioning Is Selective Why don’t we develop phobias of everything we pair with harm? “Preparedness:” Certain conditioned responses are acquired very easily A biological predisposition “conditioned taste aversions”

chapter 5 Thorndike’s “Puzzle Box” Found cats could undo a cage latch more quickly on successive trials.

chapter 5 Elements of Operant Conditioning Learning to make or withhold a certain response because of its consequences We make operant behaviors, and Consequences follow Consequences take one of two forms Reinforcers Punishers

chapter 5 Establishing an Operantly Conditioned Response Operant behaviors should be voluntary Training can take time Shaping Reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior

chapter 5 A Closer Look At Reinforcement Positive reinforcer A pleasant event that follows an operant response, increasing the likelihood that the response will recur Negative reinforcer Strengthens a given response by removing an aversive stimuli

chapter 5 Punishment Punisher An unpleasant consequence that reduces the likelihood that we will repeat a behavior. Not the same as negative reinforcement To be effective, punishment needs to be Swift, sufficient, and certain

chapter 5 Drawbacks of Punishment Punishment cannot “unteach” unwanted behaviors. Punishment can backfire. Punishment can teach aggression.

chapter 5 Learned Helplessness Learning a “giving-up” response Classic learned helplessness study (Seligman) Findings applied to humans

chapter 5 Shaping Through Biofeedback Biofeedback Use of operant conditioning to control certain biological functions Conditioning through biofeedback Medical treatment

chapter 5 Factors Shared by Classical and Operant Conditioning In both forms of conditioning, a “contingency” exists One relationship depends on another Contingencies in classical conditioning Contingency between CS and US Contingencies in operant conditioning Contingency between action and outcome

chapter 5 Schedules of Reinforcement Partial reinforcement schedules

chapter 5 Extinction Learned responses can weaken and disappear In classical conditioning: Occurs when CS-US pairing lapses In operant conditioning: Occurs when reinforcing is withheld

chapter 5 Spontaneous Recovery Previously extinguished response reappears without retraining In classical conditioning: CS predicts US again In operant conditioning: Behavior produces old consequence again

chapter 5 Response Acquisition and Extinction in Classical Conditioning

chapter 5 Factors Involved In Extinguishing Operant Conditioning Strength of the original learning Pattern of reinforcement Variety of settings in which original learning took place Complexity of the behavior Learning through punishment

chapter 5 Stimulus Control The available stimuli exerts a control over conditioned responses. Occurs for both classical and operant conditioning Takes two forms: Stimulus Generalization Stimulus Discrimination

chapter 5 Stimulus Generalization Tendency to respond to cues similar to ones we have become conditioned to Classical Stimuli similar to CS will elicit CR Operant Supplying different response to stimulus

chapter 5 Stimulus Discrimination Learners can be trained not to generalize, but rather to make a conditioned response only to a single stimulus. Classical CR is specific to a certain CS-US pairing Operant Reinforcing only specific responses

chapter 5 New Learning Based On Original Learning Higher order conditioning Conditioning based on previous learning Primary reinforcer A reinforcer that is rewarding in itself Secondary reinforcer A reinforcer that acquires its reinforcing power through association with a primary reinforcer

chapter 5 Differences Between Classical and Operant Conditioning Passivity Classical conditioning is passive; Operant conditioning relies on the learner to actively participate in learning Incentives In operant conditioning reinforcers act as incentives for learning; Classical conditioning does not provide incentives.

chapter 5 Cognitive Learning Mental processes that go on when we learn Are not directly observable, but inferred

chapter 5 Latent Learning Learning happens even when not demonstrated Stored internally Tolman’s rats Cognitive maps

chapter 5 Insight & Learning Sets Insight Learning that occurs rapidly as a result of understanding all the elements of a problem Learning sets The ability to become increasingly more effective in solving problems as more problems are solved i.e., “learning how to learn”

chapter 5 Learning By Observing We can learn by observing a model, without firsthand experience by the observer Observational learning Selective in nature Bandura’s doll study