Chapter 5 Learning Learning A relatively permanent change

Chapter 5: Learning

Learning �A relatively permanent change in behavior that is brought about by experience Not due to nature (getting taller) Not due to short-term changes (new shoes)

Learning �Behaviorism: theory of learning that focuses exclusively on observable behaviors �Two types of learning: Associative: making a connection or association between two events Observational: learning that takes place through the observation and imitation of another’s behavior Stimulus Response Consequence

Classical Conditioning �A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus comes to bring about a response after it is paired with a stimulus that naturally brings about that response �Ivan Pavlov Scientist who studied digestion by measuring the saliva of dogs Discovered that dogs “predicted” the arrival of food; led to salivation

Classical Conditioning �Pavlov’s experiment: Attached tube to dog’s salivary gland Rang a bell, then presented food (repeated pairings) Dogs soon began to salivate when bell rang – even when food wasn’t presented!

Classical Conditioning A stimulus that, before conditioning, does not naturally bring about the response of interest A stimulus that brings about a response without having been learned

Classical Conditioning A natural, innate response that is not associated with previous learning

Classical Conditioning A NS that has been paired with a UCS to bring about a response formerly caused only by the UCS A response that, after conditioning, follows a previously neutral stimulus

Gavin recently went deep-sea fishing with some friends. Unfortunately, Gavin was extremely seasick the entire time he was on the boat, and now when he sees boats, he feels queasy. In this situation, the conditioned stimulus is the: A. ) Sea B. ) Boat C. ) Friend who invited Gavin D. ) Nausea

Irinia's dog loves to go for walks, and she always puts a leash on him when they go out. The dog used to wag his tail as soon as they got outside, but now he wags his tail when she picks up the leash. In this case, what is the unconditioned stimulus? A. ) Irinia B. ) The leash C. ) Going for a walk D. ) The wagging tail

Story of Little Albert �John B. Watson conditioned a small boy to be afraid of rats Unconditioned stimulus: loud noises Fear generalized to other white, furry objects �Albert was never “fixed” �Experiment is often criticized for being unethical �Conditioning can create phobias

Conditioning in the Media �Advertising Campaigns Pairing a product with something desirable increases our chances of buying that product �Examples?

Conditioning in the Media �QUIZ! Identify: �NS �UCR �CS �CR

Conditioning in the Media �QUIZ! Identify: �NS �UCR �CS �CR

Conditioning in the Media �QUIZ! Identify: �NS �UCR �CS �CR

Operant Conditioning �Learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its favorable or unfavorable consequences Difference between classical and operant conditioning? Stimulus Response Consequence �Thorndike’s Law of Effect: Responses that lead to more satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated

The Skinner Box �Skinner Box: Demonstrated that animals learn to obtain food by manipulating their environment within the box All behavior is a consequence of rewards and punishments Free will? Superstitions?

Reinforcement & Punishment �Reinforcement: Increases the probability of a behavior occurring again Primary reinforcer: innately satisfying (no learning needed) Secondary reinforcer: reinforcing because of its association with a primary reinforcer �Punishment: Decreases the probability of a behavior occurring again

Which of the following is NOT an example of a secondary reinforcer? A. ) Becky gets a gold star on her chore chart every day when she cleans her room. B. ) Sam receives a monthly paycheck for going to work each day. C. ) Maria's mother gives her an M&M every time she uses the potty. D. ) Andy gets an A on his exam after staying up late to study.

Positive and Negative �Positive: Any stimulus that is added to the environment (something is given) �Negative: Any stimulus that is removed from the environment (something is taken away) �Reinforcement and punishment can be positive or negative

Four Types �Positive reinforcement: a stimulus added that increases the likelihood of a behavior �Negative reinforcement: a stimulus removed that increases the likelihood of a behavior �Positive punishment: a stimulus added that decreases the likelihood of a behavior �Negative punishment: a stimulus removed that decreases the likelihood of a behavior

Punishment or Reinforcement? �Reinforcement is usually better Punishment tells us what not to do, but not what to do instead Punishment may send the wrong message (especially physical punishment) �Punishment is sometimes better: Dangerous situations Immediate compliance

Schedules of Reinforcement �Schedules of reinforcement: different patterns of frequency and timing of reinforcement following desired behavior �Continuous reinforcement: reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs �Partial reinforcement: reinforcing a behavior some of the time that it occurs Four types of partial reinforcement schedules �Fixed vs. variable �Ratio vs. interval

�Fixed ratio schedule: Reinforcement is given after a specific number of responses Free cup of coffee after purchasing 9 cups Cumulative frequency of responses Ratio Schedules There are short pauses after each response. Time

�Variable ratio schedule: Reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses Slot machine Cumulative frequency of responses Ratio Schedules Responding occurs at a high, steady rate. Time

�Fixed interval schedule: reinforcement is given after a certain period of time Weekly paycheck Cumulative frequency of responses Interval Schedules There are typically long pauses after each response. Time

�Variable interval schedule: reinforcement is given after a certain average time Once-a-week quiz pop Cumulative frequency of responses Interval Schedules Responding occurs at a steady rate. Time

A company pays its employees on Wednesdays. The manager has noticed that more people call out sick on Thursdays than on any other day of the week. What schedule of reinforcement is being used in this example? A. ) Variable Interval B. ) Variable Ratio C. ) Fixed Interval D. ) Fixed Ratio

Observational Learning �Observational learning: learning through observing the behavior of another person (a model) Albert Bandura and the BOBO doll study �Observational learning may be innate Mirror neurons fire when we observe another person’s behavior