Learning

Chapter Six

Classical Conditioning

• Definition: a simple form of learning in which a stimulus (a trigger) produces a response (a desired reaction)

Ivan Pavlov’s Research

1. Taught a dog to salivate/ drool at the sound of a bell.

2. Dogs (and people) produce saliva to digest food. When we smell or see food, we often begin producing saliva.

3. Pavlov rang a bell (the stimulus) when he fed the dog. Since the dog saw the food, he began to drool.

4. After a while, the bell alone made the dog drool (the response).

Taste Aversion

• We also learn to dislike certain foods.

1.If we become ill after eating something (perhaps it was spoiled), we often won’t want to eat that item again.

Operant Conditioning

• Definition: learning from the consequences of our actions

• If we like the consequences we will repeat the behavior, if we don’t we are more likely to avoid the behavior again.

Reinforcement

• Used to increase the chance that the behavior will happen again.

• Can be positive (we are given something we like following a certain behavior).

• Can be negative (we are given something we do not like following a certain behavior).

Cognitive Factors in Learning

• Remember—cognitive is what’s taking place in our minds; our thoughts.

• Latent Learning: remains hidden until it is needed.

• Observational Learning: we imitate others; there is thought (and concern) that we receive learning from the media.

The PQ4R Method

• This is a specific process designed to encourage learning.

P=Preview: skim through a chapter/section to see what the material will cover; glance at pictures, bold words, or titles.

Q=Question: create questions about what you just skimmed through.

R=Read: read the material. R=Reflect: make some

connections with what you’re reading.

R=Recite: repeating information helps you remember it quickly.

R=Review: spend time each night reviewing instead of studying the entire content the night before a test.

Other Strategies

• What other learning strategies have you learned?

• Mnemonic Device: a word or words that stand for something else

• HOMES=the Great LakesHuron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior