04/10/2023

Human LearningTopic 5.5: Motivational Mechanisms.

Cedp 324 - Ryan Sain, Ph.D.1

How is behavior motivated?

Two theories Associative processes

Like Thorndike and Pavlov

Very molecular

Behavioral regulation Skinner

Molar

Focus on function

A note on notation

Your author’s notation

What I prefer (and what you’ll see on the test)

I don’t like the O (it’s rather confusing)

S

Stimulus

R

Response

O

Outcome

Sd

Stimulus

R

Response

Sr,p+/-

Stimulus

Consistent with Thorndike and Pavlov

Uses a S-R-S system (the three term contingency)

But focuses on individual responses

Focuses on the associations

Reinforcers strengthen / punishers weaken

Associative Structure

RS

StimulusRespons

e

Sr,p+/-

Stimulus

And the association:

Connects the environment/context to a consequence

Expectation motivates

Associative Structure

R

Response

S

Stimulus

Sr,p+/-

Stimulus

Dual processes?

Rescorla and Solomon

Two processes interact Classical and instrumental (operant)

Classical:

Emotional states then motivate the response

State is determined by type of stimulus (consequence)

S

Stimulus

Sr,p+/-

Stimulus

Δ Emotional State

R

Response

Behavioral Regulation Ties very closely with Skinner

Uses a S-R-S system (the three term contingency)

Focuses on the third term

Not about forming associations

Organisms learn limits of behavior

Redistribute activity accordingly

Reinforcers are actually preferred behavior

Eating, drinking, etc

Premack

Premack’s principle

High probability behavior will reinforce low.

Indicates that reinforcement is access to a behavior

Used with schizophrenia

Used high probablity behavior (sitting) to reinforce coil stripping

Used with autism

Echolalia reinforces some type of training task Performed better than food

The original study

Kids

Candy Eating

Pinball

Playing

Play Pinball

Eating

Play Pinball

Eating SrSr

Response deprivation

Limit access to reinforcer (preferred activity)

Makes the reinforcer more valuable

Even works with low probability behavior

Hold a behavior at below baseline level

Access to it will now be a reinforcer

Behavioral Bliss

Regulation theory predicts:

A preferred level of responding – stable - baseline Engaging in TV watching

Wheel running

Eating, etc.

homework

Life isn’t all bliss Must balance activities

REDISTRIBUTE responses to maximize bliss

More bliss

Constraints limit our ideal level of responding

Want more TV? Have to do more homework.

Response deprivation and bliss

Restrict TV access Turn it into a Sr for studying

To return to bliss level of TV watching – you must do more homework

It’s all about getting to bliss