chapter 7 learning. classical conditioning learning: a relatively permanent change in behavior that...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 7Learning
Classical ConditioningClassical Conditioning• Learning: a relatively permanent change in
behavior that is brought about by experience
• Ivan Pavlov: – Noticed that dogs were responding to learning
which he called classical conditioning– Classical Conditioning: a type of learning in
which a neutral stimulus (such as the experimenter’s footsteps) comes to elicit a response after being paired with a stimulus (such as food) that naturally brings about that response
Pavlov’s ExperimentPavlov’s Experiment• Attached a tube to the dog’s mouth to
measure salivation. Rang a bell and gave the dog a piece of meat. Did this several times. At first the dog would only salivate when it would see the meat, but after several tries the dog starts to salivate when it hears the bell. Even when Pavlov did not give the dog the meat, it would still salivate when it would hear the sound. The dog had been classically conditioned to salivate when it would hear the bell.
How Does it Work?How Does it Work?• Neutral Stimulus: a stimulus that, before conditioning,
does not naturally bring about the response of interest (example: bell)
• Unconditioned Stimulus: a stimulus that naturally brings about a particular response without having been learned (example: meat)
• Unconditioned Response: a response that is natural and needs to no training (example: salivation)
• Conditioned Stimulus: a once-neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus to bring about a response formerly caused only by the unconditioned stimulus (bell after the conditioning)
• Conditioned Response: a response that, after conditioning, follows a previously neutral stimulus (example: salivation after ringing of bell)
Examples in HumansExamples in Humans In the past a big yellow “M” would not elicit
any kind of response. However, if we see the golden arches of McDonalds we (like Pavlov’s dogs) may salivate.
Phobias: seeing something you are scared of elicits a response
ExtinctionExtinction Extinction: a basic phenomenon of learning
that occurs when a previously conditioned response decreases in frequency and eventually disappears. If you ring the bell and don’t give the meat,
eventually the salivation will stop
Spontaneous RecoverySpontaneous Recovery The reemergence of an extinguished
conditioned response after a period of rest and with no further conditioning Example: You may “cure” someone of a drug
addiction, yet something may trigger an irresistible impulse to use again (example: see a white powder, or some other associated thing which causes this reaction)
Generalization Generalization DiscriminationDiscrimination
Stimulus Generalization: occurs when a conditioned response follows a stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus; the more similar two stimuli are the more likely a generalization is to occur Example: Little Albert was conditioned to be
fearful of white rats. However, he developed a fear of all white, soft, furry things.
Generalization & Generalization & DiscriminationDiscrimination
• Stimulus Discrimination: the process that occurs if two stimuli are sufficiently distinct from one another that one evokes a conditioned response, but the other does not. This is the ability to differentiate between stimuli– Example: dog runs into the kitchen when it
hears the sound of the can opener which is used to open the can of dog food, but does not come when it hears the food processor
Pavlov’s View of Pavlov’s View of LearningLearning
Learning is just a bunch of unconditioned responses
Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning Operant Conditioning: Learning in which a
voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its favorable or unfavorable consequences
Thorndike’s Law of Thorndike’s Law of EffectEffect
If you place a cat in a cage and put food outside the cat will try to get it. If the cat accidentally steps on a lever which opens the door, next time you put the cat in the cage it will take less time to step on the paddle.
Conclusion: responses that lead to satisfying consequences are repeated.
SkinnerSkinner Skinner Box: placed a rat in a box with a
lever. At first the lever is accidentally pressed by the rat and it releases a pellet. The first time this happens the rat does not learn that pressing the lever will release a pellet. However, after a few times the rat will learn that pressing the lever gives it food and will press it repeatedly until it satisfies it’s hunger.
Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning Reinforcement: the process by which a
stimulus increases the probability that a preceding behavior will be repeated
Reinforcer: Any stimulus that increases the probability that a preceding behavior will occur again
Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning Positive Reinforcer: a stimulus added to the
environment that brings about an increase in a preceding response
Negative Reinforcer: an unpleasant stimulus whose removal leads to an increase in the probability that a preceding response will be repeated in the future
Punishment: a stimulus that decreases the probability that a previous behavior will occur again
The Pro’s and Con’s of The Pro’s and Con’s of PunishmentPunishment
Pro’s Quickest route to changing behavior Provides a way to temporarily reinforce
behavior
Con’s Can be frequently ineffective if not delivered
right after the behavior Physical punishmentidea that physical
aggression is okay Doesn’t convey alternatives
Schedules of Schedules of ReinforcementReinforcement
Schedules of Reinforcement: different patterns of frequency of timing of reinforcement following desired behavior
Continuous reinforcement schedule: reinforcing of a behavior every time it occurs Learning occurs more rapidly
Partial reinforcement schedule: reinforcing of a behavior some but not all the time Results in stronger, longer lasting learning
(example, slot machine)
Fixed & Variable Ratio Fixed & Variable Ratio SchedulesSchedules
Fixed-Ratio Schedule: reinforcement is given after a fixed number of responses are made Example: you get paid for every blouse you
make
Variable-Ratio Schedule: reinforcement is given after a varying number of responses Example: a sale person’s job- you may get
paid on the first, seventh, or tenth person you attend
Motivation Intrinsic Motivation: the desire to perform a
behavior for its own sake A Dr. who likes to help people
Extrinsic Motivation: the desire to perform in a certain way to get an external reward or avoid punishment A Dr. who does it for the money
Biological ConstraintsBiological Constraints You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
Thoughts?
Cognitive Approaches Cognitive Approaches to Learningto Learning
Cognitive Learning Theory: An approach to the study of learning that focuses on the thought processes that underlie learning
Latent LearningLatent Learning Learning in which a new behavior is
acquired but is not demonstrated until some incentive is provided for displaying it Rats are put in a maze for days and wonder
around. However, when food is given at the end of the maze they learn to run quickly through the maze
Observational Observational LearningLearning
Learning by watching the behavior of another person
Bandura conducted an experiment with children and a Bobo doll
MediaMedia Does the media’s message matter?