Learning
Learning Targets 1. Distinguish general differences between principles of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning (e.g., contingencies). 2. Describe basic classical conditioning phenomena, such as acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, discrimination, and higher-order learning.
Associative Learning learning that certain events go together can be 2 stimuli going together and anticipating a response (classical conditioning) can be a response and its consequence going together (operant conditioning)
Cognitive Learning we acquire mental information that guides our behavior. we can learn things without having a reward/punishment or being conditioned to respond to a stimuli
Behaviorism the view that psychology should study only observable behavior because that is the only thing that is truly objective. no reference to mental processes when studying behavior
Classical Conditioning
It all started with Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Classical Conditioning
What is classical conditioning? Classical conditioning is the type of learning in which a stimulus gains the power to cause an involuntary response A STIMULUS is anything in the environment one can respond to A RESPONSE is any behavior or action ***a type of learning by association***
What is classical conditioning? When your brain and nervous system make an association between 2 stimuli (things). Example: food and a bell A song and holding hands with your friend
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Stimulus that triggers a response reflexively and automatically a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response.
Unconditioned Response (UCR) Automatic response to the unconditioned stimulus The relationship between the UCS and UCR must be reflexive and not learned
Conditioned Stimulus (CS) Previously neutral stimulus that, through learning, gains the power to cause a response an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with the UCS, comes to trigger a response. The CS must be a neutral stimulus before conditioning occurs.
Conditioned Response Response to the conditioned stimulus Usually the same (or very similar) behavior as the UCR
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Oh, hello!?!?
Acquisition Process of developing a learned response The subject learns a new response (CR) to a previously neutral stimulus (CS)
Extinction The diminishing of a conditioned response. Will eventually happen when the UCS does not follow the CS.
Spontaneous Recovery The reappearance of a classically conditioned response usually after a rest period. You have been classically conditioned to salivate at a tone, because the tone was paired with meat powder. Eventually, that learning may become extinct. If after a long period of NOT getting any meat powder, you suddenly salivate at a tone because you had a weird thought that you might get meat powder you ve experienced Spontaneous Recovery!
Generalization The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the CS to elicit similar responses dog barks at doorbell and all other bell-like noises
Discrimination The learned ability to distinguish between a CS and other stimuli that does not signal UCS. dog knows the difference between your doorbell and all other bell like noises
Pavlov s Experiment
Little Albert 11-month-old infant Watson and Rosalie Rayner, conditioned Albert to be frightened of white rats Led to questions about experimental ethics Let s watch Little Albert.
What happened to Little Albert? in 2009, it was determined that Albert was Douglas Merritte, a 9 month old son of a University employee who was paid $1 for her son to participate. he died at age 6 from hydrocephalus Watson and Raynor hid the child s intellectual delays in their reports. These MAY have impacted the results.
And Watson? He married his assistant, Rosalie Rayner he was fired from his professor job ended up working at an advertising company and worked on Maxwell House coffee commercials, making coffee break an American custom.
In your notes Using the Little Albert case, identify the UCS UCR CS CR
Class Practice Ariana walks to school every day. Each time the yellow school bus drives by, it drives through a huge puddle and splashes her! Now, whenever she sees a yellow school bus, she jumps back in fear of being splashed! UCS UCR CS CR
Class Practice Your history teacher likes to assign group projects and you always end up in the group of slackers where you do ALL of the work. You absolutely hate the history projects and would rather take notes. He always prints the project outline and rubric on bright pink paper. Today, as your teacher enters the room, you notice he has a stack of bright pink papers and you immediately become agitated and upset. UCS UCR CS CR
Class Practice Chuck is a mediocre student and over the years he has received many lectures from his parents about his poor study habits. He received another report card full of C s and D s today and he knows that once his parents come home they will want to lecture him again. To distract himself from the nervousness, he plays video games for several hours, but later as he hears the garage door open, his heart begins to race. UCS UCR CS CR
Applications of Classical Conditioning former drug addicts feel cravings when in the drug-using context or places associated with previous highs, advised to find new friends/hang out places a taste that accompanies a drug influencing the immune system can produce an immune response