Chapter 7
Learning
Learning The process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information and behaviors
2 types 1) Classical conditioning a. A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events i. Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, first proposed classical conditioning 2) Operant conditioning a. A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if its followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher
How do people learn?
We learn by association -Our minds naturally connect events that occur in sequence :Context often trigger that habitual response oI.E. Think food, sounds, music, scent
Pavlov's Experiments
Food: unconditioned stimulus (US) produced salivation unconditioned response (UR) Neutral stimuli do not produce any response Neutral stimulus (tone) and US (food) are paired, resulting in UR (salivation) After conditioning, the tone (CS) elicits salivation (CR)
Key to Classical Conditioning
CS must be presented before US in order for the strongest association to occur The two must be temporally related (meaning that the closer together in time they appear, the stronger the association)
Extinction
When the US does not follow the CS consistently, the CR decreases and eventually the association disappears
Generalization
Once a response has been conditioned, the tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses
Thorndike's Law of Effect
Rewarded behavior is likely to recur o Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely o Behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely
Skinner's Experiments
From Thorndike's work, psychologist B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) began conducting work on operant conditioning Developed the Skinner Box for study on animal responses (rats, pigeons, cats)
Reinforcement
Any event that strengthens (increases the frequency of) that behavior it follows
Types of Reinforcers:
Positive Reinforcement The addition of a desirable stimulus increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated Examples: Paycheck Praise Candy o Desired activity or item o Negative Reinforcement (Not Punishment!) The removal of a negative stimulus increases the likely that a behavior will be repeated Examples: Fastening seatbelt to turn off beeping o Taking medicine to reduce headache Buying a child a toy to stop his/her whining Punishment
An event that decreases (reduces the frequency of) the behavior that it follows
Positive Punishment
The administration of aversive stimulus (spanking, parking ticket)
Negative Punishment Withdrawal of a desirable stimulus (time-out, revoked license, grounding) Primary vs. Secondary Reinforcers
: Primary reinforcers: unlearned, innate o Food Secondary reinforcers: conditioned, learned o Money
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