Objectives 1. Operationally define terms relevant to theories of learning. 2. Examine learning theories that are currently important.
Learning Theories Behaviorism Cognitivism Social Constructivism
Behaviorism Learning is a relatively enduring or permanent change in behavior resulting from experiences with stimuli and responses.
Behaviorism Learning is defined by the outward expression of new behaviors (unobservable mental events/observable responses).
Sometimes when you look back on a situation, you realize it wasn't all you thought it was. You fell in love. Or did you? - Henry Bromel, Northern Exposure, The Big Kiss, 1991
Conditioning Classical Operant
Classical Conditioning Ivan Pavlov
Classical Conditioning - kind of conditioning in which a neutral stimulus acquires the ability to produce a response that was originally produced by a different stimulus
Classical Conditioning
Classical Conditioning Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) a stimulus that brings about a physiological response without having been learned
Classical Conditioning Unconditioned Response (UCR) a response that is innate, natural, unlearned, and involuntary that is elicited by the unconditioned stimulus
Classical Conditioning Neutral stimulus prior to conditioning, causes a sensory response but has no effect on the desired response/reflex
Classical Conditioning Conditioned Stimulus (CS) a once-neutral stimulus that has been paired with a UCS to bring about a response formerly elicited only by the UCS
Classical Conditioning Conditioned Response (CR) a response that, after conditioning, follows a previously neutral stimulus (CR) similar but not identical to the UCR
Classical Conditioning Stimulus Substitution Theory Classical conditioning occurs when a neural bond or association forms in the brain between the neutral stimulus and UCS.
Classical Conditioning Contiguity Theory Classical conditioning occurs because two stimuli are paired close together in time.
Classical Conditioning Stimulus Generalization tendency for a stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response that is similar to the conditioned response conditioned response follows a stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus
Classical Conditioning Stimulus Discrimination organism learns to differentiate among stimuli and make a particular response to some stimuli but not to others
Classical Conditioning Extinction a procedure in which a conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus and, as a result, previously conditioned response decreases in frequency and eventually disappears
Classical Conditioning Spontaneous Recovery the reappearance of a previously extinguished response after time has elapsed without exposure to the conditioned stimulus
Operant Conditioning learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its positive or negative consequences
Operant Conditioning Edward Lee Thorndike
Operant Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Operant Conditioning Law of Effect Behaviors followed by positive consequences are strengthened, while behaviors followed by negative consequences are weakened.
Operant Conditioning B.F. Skinner
Operant Conditioning
Operant Conditioning Operant Response is a response that can be modified by its consequences and is a meaningful unit of ongoing behavior that can be easily measured
Operant Conditioning Shaping is a procedure in which an experimenter successively reinforces behaviors that lead up to or approximate the desired behavior
Operant Conditioning Reinforcement the consequence that occurs after a behavior and increases the chance that the behavior will occur again
Operant Conditioning Punishment the consequence that occurs after a behavior and decreases the chance that the behavior will occur again
Types of Reinforcers Positive Reinforcer any stimulus that increases the probability that a preceding behavior will occur again
Types of Reinforcers Negative Reinforcer Unpleasant/aversive stimulus whose removal leads to an increase in the probability that a preceding response will occur again in the future
Types of Reinforcers Primary Reinforcer timulus which innately satisfies some biological need regardless of a person s prior experience
Types of Reinforcers Secondary Reinforcer a stimulus that becomes reinforcing through experience and is learned because of its association with a primary reinforcer
Types of Punishment Positive Punishment presenting an aversive/unpleasant stimulus to decrease the recurrence of behavior
Types of Punishment Negative Punishment removing a reinforcer to decrease the recurrence of behavior
Schedules of Reinforcement Continuous Reinforcement behavior is reinforced every time it occurs
Schedules of Reinforcement Partial Reinforcement behavior is reinforced only some of the time
Schedules of Partial Reinforcement Fixed-Ratio Schedule reinforcement is given only after a fixed number of responses are made
Schedules of Partial Reinforcement Variable-Ratio Schedule reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses rather than after a fixed number
Schedules of Partial Reinforcement Fixed-Interval Schedule provides reinforcement for a response only if a fixed time period has elapsed
Schedules of Partial Reinforcement Variable-Interval Schedule reinforcement is given after an average amount of time has passed
Other Related Terms Generalization Discrimination Extinction Spontaneous Recovery
Cognitivism Learning is the product of mental information processing.
Memory The ability to retain information over time
Memory Processes Encoding making mental representations of information so that it can be placed into our memories
Memory Processes Storing process of placing encoded information into relatively permanent storage for later recall
Memory Processes Retrieving process of getting or recalling information that has been placed into short-term or long-term storage
Insight mental process marked by a sudden and unexpected solution to a problem
Albert Bandura Constructivism
Social Learning Theory / Social Constructivism / Social Cognitive Learning Learning takes place through observation, imitation and modeling.