Learning

LEARNING CONCEPTS Learning –any relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs due to experience. Conditioning-forming associations between environmental stimuli and responses –Classical Conditioning –Operant Conditioning Cognitive learning

Classical Conditioning The process of learning by which a previous neutral stimulus comes to elicit an identical or similar response to one originally elicited by another stimulus as the result of the pairing of the two stimuli. Ivan Pavlov was the first to describe and document the form of learning we now call classical conditioning. Classical conditioning is also called Pavlovian or respondent conditioning.

Principles of Classical Conditioning –Unconditioned stimulus (US)--stimulus eliciting an automatic or reflexive response –Unconditioned response (UR)--response that is automatically produced –Neutral Stimulus (NS) stimulus that before conditioning does not produce a particular respomce –Conditioned stimulus (CS)--an originally neutral stimulus that comes to elicit a conditioned response after being paired with a US –Conditioned response (CR)--response that is elicited by a CS

Extinction When the conditioned stimulus (CS) is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus (US), the conditioned response (CR) eventually disappears.

Spontaneous Recovery After a response has been extinguished, it may spontaneously reappear after the passage of time, with exposure to the conditioned stimulus.

Higher-order Conditioning A neutral stimulus (NS) can become a conditioned stimulus (CS) by being paired with an already established conditioned stimulus (CS).

Stimulus Generalization After a stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus for some response, similar stimuli may produce the same reaction.

Reconditioning Relearning conditioned response after Extinction.

Conditioned Emotional Reaction (CER) Emotional response to a particular stimulus acquired through classical conditioning.

Operant Conditioning Process of learning in which the manipulation of the consequence of a response influences the like hood or probability of the response occurring.

Thorndike and the Law of Effect Thorndike observed that behavior is controlled by its consequences. Responses that have satisfying effects are more likely to recur, while those that have unpleasant effects are less likely to recur.

Radical Behaviorism Introduced at the turn of the 20 th Century. Philosophical position that free will is an illusion or myth and that human and animal behavior is completely determined by environmental and genetic influences.

Burrhus Frederic (B.F.) Skinner Behavior is explainable by looking outside of the individual.

Reinforcers Always increase the likelihood of a response Positive reinforcement –something pleasant is presented Negative reinforcement –something unpleasant is removed

Reinforcers Primary reinforcers –satisfy biological needs Secondary reinforcers –reinforcing through association with other (possibly primary) reinforcers

Schedule of Continuous Reinforcement Reinforcing a response each time it occurs. Most effective for initial learning.

Schedule of Partial Reinforcement Also known as intermittent schedules. Reinforcement occurs only after a certain amount of time has passed or only after a certain number of responses have been made.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule Reinforcement is given after a specific number of correct responses.

Variable-Ratio Schedule Certain number of correct responses needed before reinforce is given varies around some average number. Gamblers never know when their lucky number will come.

Escape and Avoidance Learning Escape Learning –Learning of behavior that allows the individual to escape from an aversive stimulus. Avoidance learning –Learning of behavior that allow an organism to avoid an aversive stimulus.

Punishment Aversive stimulus or removal of reinforcing stimulus after a response occur, which leads to the weakening or suppression of the response Punishers –decrease the likelihood of a response Positive punishment –something unpleasant occurs Negative punishment –something pleasant is removed

Behavior Modification The systematic application of learning principles to strengthen adaptive behavior and weaken maladaptive behavior.

Token Economy Behavior modification technique. Uses tokens earned for performing desired behaviors. Tokens can be exchanged for positive reinforcers.

Programmed Instruction Complex material is broken into a series of small steps. Individual learn at their own pace.

Computer-Assisted Instruction Computer is used to guide student through a series of increasingly difficult questions.