LEARNING:

Adaptive process in which the tendency to perform aparticular behavior is changed by experience ( Carlsonet al., 1999 ).

HabituationClassical conditioning: S-S learningOperant ( instrumental ) conditioning: R- ReinforcementCognitive learning

Classical Conditioning: Watson’s Little Albert

CS - Rabbit -- Furry Objects US - Loud Noise

UR - Fear (screaming, high HR) CR - Fear (screaming, low HR)

CR -- Anticipatory Response

Instrumental (Thorndike) / Operant (Skinner) Conditioning

Organism operates on Environment Behavior instrumental in obtaining reward or avoiding punishment

Skinner --- Reinforcement (S ); S=stimulus, R=response

Positive S -- S after R increases R -money for work

Negative S -- Removal of S increases R -fear leads to studying

Positive Pun. -- Application of S decreases R -slap on wrist

Negative Pun. -- Removal of S decreases R -girl stops smiling when

you do s.t. stupid ;R-cost

Extinction -- R produces no longer expected consequences (S ).

Spontaneous recovery—relearning of response

Partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE) -- Frustration or Discrimination Hypotheses

R

R

R

R

Paid Weekly

Degree after passing 20 courses

Gambling machines

‘pop’ quizzes

Extinction slowest after variable schedules -- Discrimination Hypoth. (less predictable).

Intermittent Reinforcement Schedules (Skinner):

1.Outcome independent of what O does

2. Strong reliable S-R relation already exists

3. Usually behavior controlled by autonomic NS

4. Involves involuntary Rs

5. Involves feelings or expectancies

6. Change is mainly in effectiveness of a S

7. S-S learning -- S predicts other S

1. Outcome depends on what O does

2. Variable Rs prior to learning

3. Usually behavior controlled by somatic NS

4. Involves voluntary Rs

5. Involves overt acts

6. Change is mainly in the strength of a R

7. R-Reinforcement learning -- Act - Outcome; Means - EndO = organism; S = stimulus; R = response; NS=nervous system

Electric shocks can be provided to the floor of either compartment. If no signal precedes the shock, the animal learns to escape the shock

by running from one compartment to the other when the shock comes on. If a signal ( such as light) precedes the shock in every trial,

the animal learns to avoid the shock by running from one compartment to the other as soon as the signal comes on.

Shuttle Box: (two-compartment escape & avoidance apparatus)