Chapter 6: Learning

1Ch. 6

–Relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience

1. Classical Conditioning: Pairing 2. Operant Conditioning: Consequence 3. Observational Learning: Watching

Ch. 6 2

• Ivan Pavlov: we learn to associate two stimuli by pairing (experiments w/ dogs)

3Ch. 6

Classical Conditioning Classical Conditioning

4Ch. 6

– Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Stimulus coming

from the environment that naturally triggers a response (automatic)

– Unconditioned Response (UCR): Reflex to the UCS, unlearned/naturally/automatically

– Neutral Stimulus (NS): has no relationship to the UCS or UCR but later gains power to trigger the CR

– Conditioned Stimulus (CS): aka previously neutral stimulus, through pairing w/ UCS becomes learned & triggers the CR

– Conditioned Response (CR): learned response to the conditioned stimulus

5Ch. 6

Acquisition: The initial stage of learning Elicited: “Brings out” either automatically or involuntarily

Trial: Pairing of the UCS & NS

6Ch. 6

• Extinction: presenting the CS alone w/out UCS causing weakening/disappearance

• Spontaneous Recovery: reappearance of behavior, after a period of no exposure

• Stimulus Generalization: responding to similar stimuli

• Discrimination: responding to only a specific stimuli

7Ch. 6

8Ch. 6

• Stimulus Contiguity: occurring together in time and space

• Higher-Order Conditioning: building on an already conditioned behavior, to associate another conditioned stimulus. (1st to sound, then to color)

• Renewal Effect: if extinguished in another place, reappearance of the behavior if you return to the original environment

9Ch. 6

10Ch. 6

• John B. Watson: behavior learned through..• Little Albert: classically conditioned a baby to

fear a white rat, then any small fluffy thing.• UCS: Generalization?• UCR: Discrimination?• NS: Reversible?• CS: • CR:

11Ch. 6

• Operant Conditioning: learning that is controlled by consequences

• Edward L. Thorndike (1913)• Law of Effect: behaviors followed by

favorable consequences become more likely & vice versa

• Puzzle Box: experiments w/ Cats taught escape learning

12Ch. 6

13Ch. 6

• B.F. Skinner (1953) – principle of reinforcement–Operant Chamber (Skinner Box):

complex or voluntary behaviors controlled my a machine

– Emission of response: voluntary – Reinforcement Contingencies: rules– Cumulative Recorder: graphs responses

14Ch. 6

15Ch. 6

• Acquisition: first time you learn • Shaping: reinforcing behavior that is close

too the desired goal • Chaining: reinforcing a series of behaviors

to get a reward• Extinction: weakening/disappearance of a

response (no consequence• Discriminative Stimuli: cues that

influence behavior (asking when in a good mood)

16Ch. 6

17Ch. 6

18Ch. 6

Positive: (+) Something Given

Reinforcement: Behavior Increases

Negative: (-) Something Taken

Punishment: Behavior Decreases

19Ch. 6

20Ch. 6

• Positive Reinforcement• Negative Reinforcement

• Escape learning: learn to end aversion• Avoidance learning: learn to

prevent• Positive Punishment• Negative Punishment– Problems with punishment

21Ch. 6

• Primary Reinforcers– Satisfy biological needs (needs)

• Secondary Reinforcers– Conditioned reinforcement (wants)

22Ch. 6

• Continuous reinforcement• Intermittent (partial) reinforcement:

(leads to more resistance to extinction)

– Ratio schedules: Based on Response• Fixed Ratio• Variable Ratio

– Interval schedules: Based on Time• Fixed Interval • Variable Interval

23Ch. 6

24Ch. 6

• Conditioned Taste Aversion: John Garcia, taste-nausea & odder-nausea are impossible to prevent

25Ch. 6

26Ch. 6

• Albert Bandura: Observational learning through modeling– Models: people who demonstrate the

behavior

• 4 key processes– attention– retention– reproduction–motivation

27Ch. 6

28Ch. 6