Chapter 6: Learning

Chapter 6: Learning

Classical Conditioning

• Ivan Pavlov

• A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus acquires the ability to elicit a response.

• How his theory began

Figure 6.1 Classical conditioning apparatus

Classical Conditioning

• Terminology – Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)– Conditioned Stimulus (CS)– Unconditioned Response (UCR)– Conditioned Response (CR)

Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

UCS CS

NS

CRUCR

Pair

Figure 6.2 The sequence of events in classical conditioning

Figure 6.3 Classical conditioning of a fear response

Basic Processes in Classical Conditioning

• Acquisition– Learning a response tendency

• Extinction – Weakening of a response tendency

• Spontaneous recovery– An extinguished response reappears

Basic Processes in Classical Conditioning

• Stimulus generalization – Conditioning generalizes to similar

stimuli• Stimulus discrimination

– Response occurs only for a specific stimulus

• Higher-order conditioning– CS serves as a UCS for new

conditioning

Figure 6.8 Higher-order conditioning

Operant Conditioning

• B.F. Skinner (1953)

– Consequences of a behavior determine if the behavior will continue.

– “Skinner box”– Shaping

Figure 6.9 Reinforcement in operant conditioning

Figure 6.10 Skinner box and cumulative recorder

Basic Processes in Operant Conditioning

• Acquisition

• Shaping

• Extinction

Reinforcement:Consequences that Strengthen Responses

• Primary Reinforcers– Satisfy biological needs

• Secondary Reinforcers– Conditioned reinforcement

Consequences:Reinforcement and Punishment

• Increasing a response:– Positive reinforcement =

• Presentation of something pleasant– Negative reinforcement =

• Removal of something unpleasant• Escape learning• Avoidance learning

• Decreasing a response:– Punishment– Problems with punishment

Consequences:Reinforcement and Punishment

• Increasing a response:– Positive reinforcement =

• Presentation of something pleasant– Negative reinforcement =

• Removal of something unpleasant

• Escape learning• Avoidance learning

Consequences:Reinforcement and Punishment

• Decreasing a response:– Punishment

• Presentation of something unpleasant• Removal of something pleasant

– Problems with punishment

Figure 6.14 Positive reinforcement versus negative reinforcement

Figure 6.15 Escape and avoidance learning

Figure 6.16 Comparison of negative reinforcement and punishment

Schedules of Reinforcement

• Continuous reinforcement• Intermittent (partial) reinforcement

– Ratio schedules• Fixed• Variable

– Interval schedules• Fixed • Variable

Figure 6.13 Schedules of reinforcement and patterns of response

Changing Directions in the Studyof Conditioning

• Biological Constraints on Conditioning– Instinctive Drift– Conditioned Taste Aversion– Arbitrary vs. ecological conditioned stimuli

• Cognitive Influences on Conditioning– Latent learning– Signal relations– Response-outcome relations

Figure 6.19 Latent learning

Observational Learning

• Albert Bandura– Observational learning

• Basic processes– attention– retention– reproduction– motivation

Figure 6.20 Observational learning