Classical Operant Conditioning 1 Classical Conditioning n n

Classical & Operant Conditioning

1. Classical Conditioning n n A. Pavlov's Conditioning Experiments n Experiment on salivation turns into research on learning B. Elements of Classical Conditioning n Unconditioned stimulus n Unlearned, inborn, innate n Unconditioned response n Response to unlearned stimulus n Conditioned stimulus n Stimulus that is learned n Conditioned response n Response to learned stimulus

Elements of Classical Conditioning

Pavlov’s Dogs

n C. Classical Conditioning In Humans Desensitization therapy n Learn to relax in presence of stimulus that used to be upsetting n a conditioning technique designed to gradually reduce anxiety about a particular object or situation n Taste aversion n Learn to connect something revolting to another food n Learned preparedness to avoid foods (poisonous plants by animals) n

Operant Conditioning n n Person/animal behaves certain way to gain something desired OR avoid something unpleasant A. Elements of Operant Conditioning n Thorndike's conditioning experiments n Cats in a puzzle box - food outside, cat needs to open bolt on door to get food and cat learns faster everytime n Speed increases over trials

Reinforcer & Punisher n Reinforcer - a stimulus that follows a behavior and INCREASES the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated. n Punisher - a stimulus that follows a behavior and DECREASES the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated

Law of Effect (Principle of Reinforcement) n Behavior that is consistently rewarded will become "stamped in" as learned behavior and behavior that is consistently punished will be "stamped out. "

n B. Type of Reinforcement – strengthens behavior n n n Positive reinforcer n Adds something rewarding, such as food, increases likelihood that behavior will recur Negative reinforcer n Avoids something unpleasant, increases likelihood behavior will recur, due to reducing/eliminating something unpleasant C. Punishment - behavior decreases n n Should be swift, sufficient, certain Not as effective as reinforcement Not usually permanent Avoidance training – learning desirable behavior to prevent occurrence of punishment – threat of punishment alone changes behavior

n Operant Conditioning Is Selective Works best with behaviors that animals would typically perform in a training situation n Have a better chance to train a chicken to hop on one foot than to make it roll over, b/c it does that action naturally n n Superstitious Behavior We tend to repeat behaviors that are followed closely by a reinforcer, even if they are not related n Lucky pair of socks, not stepping on cracks in sidewalk n

Extinction and Spontaneous Recovery n Classical conditioning n Unconditioned (US) and conditioned stimulus (CS) are no longer paired n Strength of learned response decreases n In spontaneous recovery the response may temporarily return without additional training n Operant conditioning n Reinforcement is withheld n Behavior learned through punishment is harder to extinguish

n Generalization and Discrimination in Classical Conditioning n Classical conditioning n Generalization - Stimuli resemble each other enough that learners react to both n Operant conditioning n Generalization - Similar stimuli generate responses

Contingencies n Contingencies in Operant Conditioning n Schedule of reinforcement n Fixed-interval schedule n Reinforcement of the first correct response after a fixed, unchanging period of time n Variable-interval schedule n Reinforcement for the first correct response that occurs after various periods of time, so the subject never knows exactly when a reward is going to be delivered

A Review of Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning • Classical and operant conditioning share many similarities • • • Both involve associations between stimuli and responses Both are subject to extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization and discrimination BIG DIFFERENCE: Classical – naturally occurring response Operant – desired behavior