chapter 7 Flashcards
Learning Theory ____
Learning – a relatively permanent change in behavior that results from experience.
Three theories of learning:____ ____ ____
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Observational learning
Classical conditioning____
is based on the work of Ivan Pavlov and John Watson.
Operant conditioning ____
is based on the work of Edward L. Thorndike and B. F. Skinner.
Observational learning ____
(also called Social Learning) is based on the work of Albert Bandura.
Terminology that explains the process of classical conditioning includes:
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) (causes us to respond) Unconditioned response (UCR) (instinctive/reflexive response) Conditioned stimulus (CS) (replaces the UCS after repeated pairings) Conditioned response (CR) (replaces the UCR with learning)
Classical Conditioning
Acquisition (learning)
Extinction and spontaneous recovery
Spontaneous recovery
Acquisition (learning)
initial stage of classical conditioning
previously neutral stimulus acquires the ability to elicit a conditioned response
Extinction recovery
gradual weakening and disappearance of the conditioned response (CR)
Spontaneous recovery
reappearance of an extinguished CR after a period of nonexposure to the conditioned stimulus
What Kinds of Responses can beClassically Conditioned?
Taste aversion
Stimulus generalization
Stimulus discrimination
Higher-order conditioning
Conditioning the immune system
Chemotherapy patients and nausea
Sherbet, adrenaline, and the immune system
Operant Conditioning: Consequences Determine Learning
Law of effect & Operant Conditionin
Law of effect
Thorndike
Basic principle of learning
Behavior is dependent on the outcome or consequences
Operant Conditioning
B.F. Skinner
Elaborated on the law of effect
Behavior is strengthened if followed by reinforcement and weakened if followed by punishment.
Reinforcement -
Reinforcement - the process by which a stimulus increases the probability of the behavior that it follows
Reinforcer
any stimulus or event that increases the likelihood that the behavior preceding it will be repeated
Types of Reinforcers
Primary versus secondary reinforcers
Primary reinforcers
innately reinforcing because they satisfy some biological need (e.g., food, sex).
Secondary reinforcers
learned, become reinforcing by being associated with primary reinforcers (e.g., money, gold stars).
Types of Reinforcers: Negative Reinforcement is not Punishment
Positive and negative reinforcers – Increase behavior
Positive reinforcer
using positive or desirable stimulus to strengthen a response (e.g., money, food, praise, new car).
Learn behavior can lead to attaining the positive stimulus.
Negative reinforcer
remove a negative or aversive stimulus to strengthen a response (e.g., turn off shock, stop teasing, stop torture).
Learn behavior can end the negative stimulus.
The relativity of reinforcers
Premack Principle – Eat your Spinachto get your Dessert
The Premack Principle -
- engaging in a less valued activity becomes more likely because it leads to the opportunity to engage in a more valued activity.
Guidelines for using punishment
Punishment Decreases the Probability,
More Effective Forms of Punishment
Reinforcement and Speed ofLearning the Behavior
Continuous reinforcement is a schedule of reinforcement in which every correct response is followed by a reinforcer.
Once responses have been learned, partial reinforcement has an important effect on your continued performance.
Accidental Reinforcement andSuperstitious Behavior
Superstitious behavior - accidental reinforcement after engaging in a particular behavior
perform superstitious actions in the belief that reinforcement will follow
Shaping to Teach a Complex Behavior
Process of teaching a new, complex behavior by reinforcing closer and closer approximations to the desired behavior.
Operant Conditioning and Cognition – Who needs to think?
Latent learning
Learned helplessness
Learning overlooked by Skinner -
Social Learning Theory – Learning by Watching
Observational or social learning- Bandura
Observational or social learning- Bandura
Social learning theory contends that people learn social behaviors mainly through observation and cognitive processing of information
How Social Learning Works
For observational learning to occur, one must
Pay attention to the model’s behavior
Remember what has been observed
Be able to perform the observed behavior
Be motivated to perform the observed behavior
Violence depicted on television and in films
The first set of experiments that demonstrated the power of observational learning in eliciting aggression were Bandura’s Bobo doll studies.
Simply observing someone being punished for aggression does not prevent the learning of aggression. It simply inhibits its expression in certain circumstances.
Social Learning and Aggressive Behavior
Desensitization or emotional blunting - becoming indifferent to aggressive outbursts and violence
Social Learning and Aggression
Aggressive behavior can be controlled or reduced.
By diminishing exposure to violence
