Psychology, Ch. 6 Learning Part 1
Two Main Types of Learning Associative learning- learning that certain events occur together Cognitive learning- acquisition of mental information, by observing or listening
Classical Conditioning Definition- a type of learning in which we learn to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events Ivan Pavlov- Russian physiologist Did not set out to learn about learning Was interested in the relationship between the nervous system and digestion
If you have a pet, you already understand this form of learning! Pavlov discovered that the dogs did not always wait until they had received meat to start salivating. Sometimes, they salivated in anticipation of food. In other words, they had learned to associate certain sounds or objects with feeding time.
The Terms of Classical Conditioning Unconditioned Stimulus- stimulus that causes a response that is automatic Unconditioned Response- a response that is natural, or unlearned Neutral Stimulus- a stimulus that means nothing to the learner Conditioned Response- a learned response to a stimulus that was previously unlearned Conditioned Stimulus- a learned stimulus
Applying the Terms of Classical Conditioning http://nobelprize.org/medicine/educational/pavlov/
Five Major Conditioning Processes Acquisition- initial stage when a NS is linked with US so that NS becomes the CS Extinction- a conditioned stimulus no longer brings about a conditioned response Spontaneous Recovery- a response that was previously extinct returns Generalization- responding the same way to stimuli that are similar Discrimination- responding differently to similar stimuli
Little Albert Not a true experiment. Ethics?
Classical Conditioning in the Real World Certain drugs used to treat cancer can cause nausea. Many patients report classically conditioned nausea to the sights, smells, and sounds of the hospital where they receive treatment. Drug counselors advise recovering addicts to steer clear of people and settings that may trigger their cravings.
Learning Operant Conditioning
Disclaimer Operant Conditioning is just another way to explain learning! Operant conditioning- learn because of the results of one s actions Actions increase if followed by a reinforcer Actions decrease if followed by a punisher Example: Skinner box (operant chamber)- used to research operant conditioning; records rate that animal presses button to obtain reinforcement (you tube video)
Reinforcement Reinforcement- process by which a stimulus increases the chances of the behavior happening again Primary reinforcers- function due to the biological makeup of a person Secondary reinforcers- function due to a value given when paired with a primary reinforcer
Learning Check Do you remember Book It? The book it sticker chart was an example of a Secondary Reinforcer The personal pan pizza was an example of a Primary Reinforcer
More Reinforcers Positive Reinforcer- increase the frequency of the behavior they follow when they are applied Negative Reinforcer- increase the frequency of the behavior they follow when they are removed
WARNING! Negative Reinforcement is NOT the same thing as a punishment! Remember: Reinforcer Increases a behavior Punishment Decreases a behavior Positive- stops a behavior by giving something bad Negative- stops a behavior by taking away something good
Schedules of Reinforcement Continuous- reinforcement every time the behavior occurs Partial- reinforcement some of the times the behavior occurs
Types of Partial Reinforcement Interval- based on the amount of time elapsed between reinforcements of the behavior Ratio- based on the number of times the behavior has occurred
Fixed or Variable? Fixed- set Variable- at random Let s look at some examples
Interval or Ratio? Fixed or Variable? A slot machine- VR The bell at the end of class- FI Drug tests at work- VI Book It- every 7 books read = free pizza FR
Applications of Operant Conditioning Shaping- teaching complex behaviors by breaking it down into steps that can be reinforced Programmed Learning- educational testing based on shaping Classroom discipline
Psychology, Ch. 6 Cognitive Factors in Learning
Cognitive means thought The cognitive theory of learning believes that people can learn just by thinking about it or watching others Learning is purposeful, not mechanical
Limits on Classical Conditioning The idea that ANY stimulus can serve equally well as a conditioned stimulus goes against our biological make up We come biologically prepared to learn some things and not others Ex: Taste Aversion
Limits to Operant Conditioning We most easily learn and retain behaviors that reflect biological predispositions We tend to learn associations that are naturally adaptive Ex: Animal Training
Cognition and Classical Conditioning Behaviorism- psychology is an objective science based on observable behavior Criticism- there is no room for consideration of thoughts, perceptions, and expectations
Cognitive Processes and Operant Conditioning Learning can occur without reinforcement Intrinsic motivation- the desire to do a behavior for its own sake Latent Learning- learning that remains hidden until it is needed Ex: Tolman s rats Cognitive Map- a mental representation
Observational Learning Observational Learning- learning by watching and imitating others Modeling- the process of observational learning Mirror Neurons- neurons that fire while observing/imitating Ex: Albert Bandura s Bobo the Clown experiment How does this experiment relate to learning from the media? What did Bobo teach us about violence in the media?