1. Learning & Memory

2. Learning Change in behavior or mental processes due to experience Allows us to adapt to our environment

3. Learning Association - connection between events that occur together –Classical conditioning –Operant conditioning –Observational learning Learning is flexible

4. Classical conditioning Ivan Pavlov –Studying digestive reflexes Classical conditioning –Learning an automatic association between two stimuli –Response is reflexive

5. Classical conditioning Requires the pairing of two stimuli to condition a response –Stimulus Neutral stimulus Unconditioned stimulus –Response Unconditioned response

6. Classical conditioning Food This is an unlearned (unconditioned) association Salivation Unconditioned StimulusUnconditioned Response

7. SalivationFood Unconditioned Stimulus Unconditioned Response Bell (Neutral Stimulus) If you pair a NS with UCS a number of times… Classical conditioning

8. Salivation (Conditioned Response) Bell (Conditioned Stimulus) It will begin to elicit a conditioned response Classical conditioning

9. Extinction Spontaneous recovery

10. Classical conditioning John Watson & Little Albert –UCS –UCR –CS –CR

11. Classical conditioning outside the lab Advertising PTSD Aversions Phobias

12. Classical conditioning review + Neutral stimulus  Unconditioned stimulus Unconditioned response  Conditioned stimulus Conditioned response

13. Operant conditioning Association between a behavior and a consequence

14. E.L. Thorndike Puzzle box paradigm –Learning curve for escape Law of effect –Successful behaviors are likely to be repeated

15. B.F. Skinner Major pioneer of behaviorism –All responses can be scientifically measured Skinner box –Used to shape complex behaviors

16. Learning and association between a response and a consequence Consequence must follow a behavior Reinforcement - increases the likelihood of the response –Positive reinforcement + Adds something desirable –Negative reinforcement - Takes away something unpleasant Punishment - decreases the likelihood of the response –Positive punishment + Adds something unpleasant –Negative punishment - Takes away something desirable

17. Consequences Reinforcement –Primary reinforcers - innately satisfying –Secondary (conditioned) reinforcers - associated with satisfaction Punisment –Not simply the opposite of reinforcement –Creates several unwanted side effects Suppresses all behaviors Creates fear Teaches/increases aggression & cruelty

18. Reinforcement schedules Affect speed and retention of learning Continuous reinforcement Partial reinforcement –Fixed ratio –Variable ratio –Fixed interval –Variable interval

19. Shaping Complex behaviors are created by reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior –Each response that comes closer to the desired behavior is rewarded –Discrete segments of the behavior eventually comprise the whole behavior

20. Applications of operant conditioning Behavior modification –Applied behavioral therapy –Animal training –Teaching children good behaviors and basic skills –Increasing employee productivity

21. Extinction In the absence of a consequence, conditioned behavior will diminish –Following extinction, the learned behavior may be recovered

22. Classical and Operant conditioning Contrast –Classical conditioning creates an automatic response –Operant conditioning teaches an association between behavior and consequence Compare –Associative learning

23. Observational learning Animals and humans learn through watching and imitating others Part of typical development

24. Observational learning Observational learning utilizes mirror neurons –Neurons in the frontal cortex –Respond to observation of activity and emotion

25. Albert Bandura Observational learning relies on watching another’s behavior and observing the outcome Bobo doll study

26. Observational learning Modeling/observation of prosocial behaviors increases the occurrence of those behaviors Modeling/observation of negative behaviors can have antisocial effects –Children exposed to violence are more aggressive –Television is a model of many negative behaviors Correlation Causation –Effects of media violence on attitudes and behaviors Immitation Desensitization

27. Memory The persistence of learning over time. Nondeclarative memory –Perceptual –Procedural –Stimulus-response Declarative memory –Episodic –Semantic

28. 3 steps to form a memory Encoding Storage Retrieval Analogy: New sweater Fold the sweater and put it away in the closet Sweater sits in the closet Take the sweater out to wear it

29. 3-stage memory model Sensory memory - limited sensory record –Some information is automatically encoded Working memory (short-term memory) - active encoding –Processes new information –Utilizes and modifies previously stored memories –“Active” component of memory Long-term memory - encoded and stored

30. Encoding Processing information into memory How we encode –Automatic encoding - requires little effort or conscious awareness Space - visual maps Time - sequence of events Frequency - repetition of events –Effortful encoding - requires attention and effort Rehearsal

31. Ebbinghaus - rehearsal studies The amount of information remembered depends on the amount of time spent learning

32. Effects on encoding Serial position effect –Primacy Following a delay –Recency Immediately after learning Spacing effect Small, repeated rehearsals improve retention Effortful processing often becomes automatic with rehearsal

33. Encoding What we encode –Semantic encoding - meaning –Visual encoding - imagery –Organization Chunking Hierarchies

34. Storage Retention of memories in the brain Stages of Memory –Sensory memory –Working memory –Long-term memory

35. Sensory memory Sensory information trace –Remains in the sensory system momentarily –May be encoded into a short-term memory Iconic memories - visual –½ second Echoic memories - auditory –3-4 seconds

36. Working memory The mid-stage of memory storage –Short-term memories + recalled long-term memories –Consciously aware of our memories and can work with them at this stage Sensory memories  short-term memories –Incoming memories must be rehearsed to be maintained

37. Working memory Working memory has a limited capacity –7 +/- 2 pieces of information –20 seconds Capacity extended by –Chunking –Rehearsal

38. Long-term memory Encoded and stored memories Essentially unlimited capacity

39. Storing memories Formation of long-term memories relies on neural changes –Long-term potentiation –Not an exact replica –Not located in one spot in the brain –Brain damage has varying impact, due to the nature of memory storage

40. Memory and stress High stress and strong emotions fuel brain activity Flashbulb memories –Reliable –Not completely infallible

41. Where are memories made?

42. Retrieval Getting information out of long-term storage Memories are stored in a network of related information –Retrieval cues Memory associations are activated by conscious and unconscious events –Priming –Context Déjà vu - sensation of reliving a previously experienced situation –Emotions State-dependent memory

43. Forgetting Inability to retrieve information –Can happen at any memory stage Encoding failure –Information not encoded at any stage will be forgotten –Encoding affected by Age Arousal Mood

44. Anterograde amnesia Inability to for NEW declarative memories –Failure of encoding –Due to hippocampal damage

45. Forgetting Storage decay –Encoded, stored memories may be lost –Forgetting curve Less durable memories are lost most easily

46. Retrograde amnesia Large-scale loss of previously stored memories –Due to brain injury –Time frame of loss varies –Often temporary

47. Retrieval failure Some memories are not readily retrieved from storage –“Tip of the tongue” phenomenon Interference –Proactive interference –Retroactive interference Revision

48. Memory is a constructive process Schemas –New memories are fit into existing belief structures –Assimilation –Accommodation

49. Memory is a constructive process Memory recall is not an exact replica of original events and information –Recall is a reconstructing of memory based on: New experience, ideas, information Alteration in the strength of some memories Interaction with others Filtering out information Filling in missing pieces

50. Memory is a constructive process Memory is influenced by faulty information Misinformation effect –Loftus’s research on false memories Imagination –We can create our own false memories

51. Memory is a constructive process Eyewitness recall - not as reliable as once thought! –Children’s recall –Adult recall Final thought: Memory is a reconstructive process and confidence is NOT correlated with accuracy!