1. Learning
A relatively permanent change in behavior that comes as a result of experience.
Not automatic
Not due to maturation

2. Three types of learning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Observational learning

3. Classical conditioning
A form of learning that occurs when two stimuli that are presented together become associated with each other
Pavlov and his dogs—dogs learned to associate the ringing of the bell with getting food. Soon they salivated at the sound of the bell.

4. Pavlov’s dogs

5. Unconditioned stimulus & response
UCS—unconditioned stimulus; an event that automatically produces an unconditioned response without any training
UCR—unconditioned response; the reaction that is automatically produced when a UCS is present

6. Conditioned Stimulus and Response
CS—conditioned stimulus; neutral stimulus that acquires the ability to elicit a CR after being paired with UCS
CR—conditioned response; response elicited by a CS that has been paired with UCS. Similar to the UCR.

7. Diagram of UCS/UCR and CS/CR

8. Examples of Classical Conditioning
Music with people, events, or emotions
Smells with people, places, or events; can associate smells with emotions
Taste aversions—quick to form, hard to extinguish
Phobias—treated by systematic desensitization
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9. Sequence of CS-UCS presentations
Trace conditioning—CS precedes UCS—light goes on, goes off, and then shock occurs
Delayed conditioning—CS precedes UCS and stays on for part of UCS--light goes on and stays on for first part of shock

10. Sequence of pairings, cont.
Simultaneous conditioning—CS occurs at the same time as the UCS and for the same length of time--light and shock come on and go off at the same time
Backward conditioning—CS is presented at the end of the UCS—the shock occurs and ends before the light comes on

12. Which sequence is best for learning?
Delayed is best, especially if the delay between the CS and UCS is short.

13. Extinction The process of eliminating a conditioned response
Easiest way is to stop pairing the CS and UCS

14. Spontaneous recovery
Reappearance of an extinguished CR after the passage of time. Occurs in the real world, not just in the lab.
The CR will be weaker than it was initially, and extinction occurs more easily.

15. Graph of Spontaneous Recovery
Notice that extinction occurs more quickly after spontaneous recovery.

16. Generalization and Discrimination
Generalization: the occurrence of responses to stimuli that are similar to a CS
Discrimination: the occurrence of the response that is specific to the CS

17. Little Albert Experiment
Watson & Rayner (1920)