Learning

How do we learn through our environment? Classical Conditioning – Neutral stimulus acquires

ability to produce a response

Operant Conditioning – Consequences increase or decrease the likelihood of a response

Social Learning / Cognitive Learning (Modeling)

Instincts

What is Classical Conditioning? (Pavlov)

Neutral Stimulus (NS) – causes a sensory response but does not produce the reflex

Unconditioned Stimulus(UCS) – triggers a physical response

Unconditioned Response (UCR) – Unlearned reflex

What is Classical Conditioning? (Pavlov)

Conditioned Stimulus (CS) – Same as neutral stimulus; now produces a response

Conditioned Response (CR)– Similar to the UCR, but lesser in size & amount

Classical or Pavlovian Conditioning

We learn to associate two stimuli

Two related events:

Lightning

Stimulus 1

Thunder

Stimulus 2

Result after repetition

We see lightning

Stimulus

We wince anticipatingthunder

Response

Pavlov’s Classic Experiment

Before Conditioning

During Conditioning After Conditioning

UCS (foodin mouth)

Neutralstimulus(tone)

Nosalivation

UCR (salivation)

Neutralstimulus(tone)

UCS (foodin mouth)

UCR(salivation)

CS(tone)

CR (salivation)

Nausea Conditioning in Cancer Patients

UCS(drug)

UCR(nausea)

CS(waiting room)

CS(waitingroom) CR

(nausea)

UCS(drug)

UCR(nausea)

What is Operant Conditioning ?(Skinner)

Rewards/Punishments determine behavior

Reinforcements – increase the likelihood of a response

Punishment – decreases the likelihood of a response

What is Thorndike’s Law of Effect ?

Random

actions followed by reward are strengthened and will recur

Can any stimulus result in conditioning?

Generalization – Similar stimuli elicit same response (Little Albert Example)

Discrimination – Only certain stimuli will elicit response

Does conditioning last forever?

Extinction – CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS and eventually will no longer elicit the CR

Spontaneous Recovery – The CR reappears even after an absence of conditioning trials

Can you uncondition learning?

Systematic Desensitization – Blood, needles, snakes, public-speaking

Test anxiety Treating drug desires

Fear/Anxiety Hierarchy Greatest Fear

Least Fear

How does operant conditioning work ?

**Shaping – successive reinforcement of approximate behaviors as they lead to the desired behavior goal

Application Examples

What’s the difference between Operant and Classical Conditioning?**

OPERANT

GOALIncreases or Decreases a rate of Response

CLASSICAL

GOALCreate a new response to a neutral stimulus

What’s the difference between Operant and Classical Conditioning? **

OPERANT

ResponseVoluntaryEmitted by ShapingContingent upon

behaviorReinforced

immediately

CLASSICAL

Response Involuntary Reflex Elicited by Stimulus Conditioned by the Pairing presented slightly before

What’s the difference between Operant and Classical Conditioning?**

OPERANT

Result

Behavior depends on Consequences

CLASSICAL

Result

Organism learns a predictable relationship between NS & UCS

What is Reinforcement ?

Increases the chance of behavior recurring

Positive – rewards

Negative – removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase the positive behavior

What can reinforce us?***

Primary – food, water, sex …innately satisfying

Secondary – acquires power through experience

What is Punishment ?

Decreases the chance of behavior recurring

Positive – presenting an unpleasant stimulus after a response Negative – removing a reinforcing stimulus after a response

Which will you use as a parent?

SPANKING

Positive Punishment

increases aggression

linked to low self-esteem & depression

TIME-OUT

Negative Punishment

fewer side effects

Doesn’t model aggression

Which will you use as a parent?

SPANKING

Only points out what the child should not doCan be used sparing w/ consistency

TIME-OUT

No severe emotional reactions

Combine with teaching alternative desired behaviors & reinforcement

How does Partial Reinforcement work?

Fixed Ratio Occurs after a Fixed # of responses

Payment for # of items completed

How does Partial Reinforcement work?

Fixed Interval

Behavior occurs after a fixed interval of time

Surfers riding waves after so many minutes of time

How does Partial Reinforcement work?

Variable Ratio

A different number of responses is required for each reinforcement

Las Vegas Slot Machines

How does Partial Reinforcement work?

Variable Interval

Different amounts of time pass for reinforcements to occur

Bus arrivals (some early, some late)

What must occur for Social Cognitive learning to happen?

Bandura believed that ‘modeling’ is the most powerful learning method

4 Features Attention –Observe Memory – Store the image Imitation – Ability to perform Motivation – incentive to imitate

Skill vs Performance deficits

What about instincts ? Abilities evolved for survival (Adaptive Learning)

Imprinting – inherited tendencies Preparedness - Taste AversionEthology – study of animal behaviors in natural settings