how do we gain knowledge about the world?
A relatively enduring change in behavior”
“A permanent change in behavior”
Results from experience
Learning theories developed out of behaviorism
modes of learning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Observational learning
classical conditioning
Involuntary/reflexive responses
Occurs when pairing two stimuli together changes the response to one of them
ex: Pavlov’s salivating dog
How do you trigger classical conditioning
Some stimuli naturally elicit responses.
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
Unconditioned response (UCR)
phases of classical conditioning
Acquisition: Development
Contiguity: UCS must quickly follow the CS
Contingency: UCS must reliably follow the CS
Extinction
Reduction of a CR that occurs when the UCS no longer follows the CS
Spontaneous Recovery
After extinction, the CR may reappear spontaneously
classical conditioning outcomes
Generalization: tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the CS
Different types of sandwiches
Discrimination: A learned ability to distinguish between stimuli
Only respond to “pastrami on rye”
engram
A physical representation in the brain of what has been learned
Lateral Interpositus Nucleus (LIP)
Located in the cerebellum
When suppressed, no learning (classical conditioning) occurs
Adverse Effects of Classical Conditioning
Development of “phobia”
Operant Conditioning
Repeated behaviors are shaped by consequences
People “operate” on their environment
law of effect
Behaviors producing FAVORABLE outcomes are likely to increase
Behaviors producing UNFAVORABLE outcomes are likely to decrease
reinforcer
omething that increases the likelihood of a behavior.
punisher
something that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
reinforcement schedules
Continuous Reinforcement
Partial Reinforcement
Continuous Reinforcement
Reinforced every time
Partial Reinforcement
Only reinforced sometimes
Schedules of Partial Reinforcement
Variable Interval (VI) Schedule
Fixed Interval (FI) Schedule
Variable Ratio (VR) Schedule
Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule
Variable Interval (VI) Schedule
Reinforcement happens after random amount of time has passed.Variable Interval (VI) Schedule
E.g., extra credit opportunities throughout the semester; fishing
Fixed Interval (FI) Schedule
Reinforcement happens only after a certain amount of time has passed.
E.g., paycheck (every two weeks)
Variable Ratio (VR) Schedule
Variable Ratio (VR) Schedule
Reinforcement after a random amount of responses
E.g., gambling; lottery
Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule
Reinforcement after an exact number of responses
E.g., working on commission (10 sales per week)
Observational Learning
the acquisition or modification of a behavior after exposure to another individual performing that behavior
Real Life Examples of “Modeling”
sports and movies
