Unit 6 learningrev[1] final

BY: LAURA BROWN & CAMRYN JOSEPH P.5

Unit 6: Learning

Key Ideas

Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Cognitive processes of Learning

How We Learn:

Learning- a relatively permanent change in an organism’s behavior due to experience

2 types of Associative learning: 1. Classical Conditioning- type of learning in

which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events

2. Operant Conditioning- A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning first described by Ivan Pavlov and the infamous “dogs”!

Classical Conditioning Acronyms

UR or unconditioned response is a not learned: salivating when food** is presented

US or unconditioned stimulus** is the food.CR or conditioned response is how the bell

signaled food for the dog CS or conditioned stimulus is the bell that

had been neutral but now means foodRemember: Conditioned = Learned Unconditioned = Unlearned

Processes of Classical Conditioning:

Higher-order conditioning- a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one experience is paired with a new and neutral stimulus creating a second often weaker conditioned stimulus

Example: By using a dog and a bell in the Pavlov trials, the dog salivates to the bell, then the bell can be paired repeatedly with a flash of light and the dog will eventually salivate to the light alone as well as the bell.

Processes Continued

Extinction -the diminishing of a conditioned response

Occurs when a conditioned stimulus no longer signals an impending unconditioned stimulus

Example: In previous example, if you ring a bell over and over again and never feed the dog, the dog will ultimately learn not to salivate when the bell rings

Processes Continued

Spontaneous Recovery Appears after extinction and without training

The response briefly appears upon

presentation of the conditioned stimulus after a brief period of not having it.

Processes Continued

Generalization - Occurs once a response has been conditioned

Similar stimuli to the conditioned stimulus elicits similar responses

Example: Little Albert was conditioned to fear white rats, he also feared other things that resemble white such as white rabbits and Santa Clause’ white beard

Processes Continued

Discrimination - The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimulus

Example: The dog knows the sound of the bell for the food so he will not respond to a bell being played on the radio.

Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning A type of learning in which behavior is

strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

Operant Conditioning

Law of Effect Developed by E.L Thorndike, conducted experiments in a puzzle box

States that behaviors followed by satisfying or positive

consequences are strengthened and more likely to occur Behaviors followed by annoying or negative consequences are

weakened and less likely to occur

Operant Conditioning

B.F. Skinner Interested in the ABCs of Behavior Designed an operant chamber (Skinner Box)

Contained a bar or key that an animal can

manipulate to obtain a food or water: reinforcer

Operant Conditioning

B. F. Skinner Developed four different training procedures

-Positive Reinforcement -Negative Reinforcement -Positive Punishment -Negative Punishment

Operant Conditioning

***Positive- something is added (not always good!)

***Negative-something is taken away(not always bad)

Operant Learning

Reinforcement Schedules Continuous Reinforcement- reinforce the desired response every

time it occurs

Partial Reinforcement- Reinforcing a response only part of the time

Fixed-Ratio Schedule- Reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses (Every so many)

Fixed-Interval Schedule- Reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed (Every so often)

Variable-Ratio Schedule- Reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed (Unpredictable #)

Variable-Interval Schedule- Reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals (Unpredictably often)

Operant Learning

Fixed-ratio- “definite, definite number, fixed amount” (buy 2 shirts get one free)

Fixed-interval- “definite period of time” (Checking cookies after the 10 min baking period)

Operant Learning

Variable-Ratio Schedule- “unpredictable #”, gamblers schedule”

(Playing a slot machine)

Variable-Interval Schedule- “unpredictable amount of time “ (Mr. R’s pop quizzes)

Cognitive Processes in Learning

Latent Learning- learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

Insight learning- a sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem , occurs after little or no interaction with our environment

Observational learning- learning by observing others

Cognitive Processes in Learning

Observational learning (continued)

Mirror Neurons- frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing something!

Cognitive Processes in Learning

Albert Bandura: Bobo Doll Experiment -Kids imitated adults’ actions to a doll

We are especially likely to imitate people we perceive as similar to ourselves, as successful, or as admirable