Learning
How learning occurs
through reinforcement and
conditioning
Overview
 In
psychology, we try to understand how
learning occurs through observing
changes in behavior.
 It
is important to recognize that not all
changes in behavior is considered
evidence of learning, but that behavioral
changes might be evidence of learning.
Terms to Know By the End of
the Day
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus
Unconditioned Response
Conditioned Stimulus
Conditioned Response
Positive Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement
Positive Punishment
Negative Punishment
Classical Conditioning
Unconditioned Stimulus – The original
stimulus that elicits a response.
(for example: food)
Unconditioned Response – a natural,
reflexive response.
(for example: salivation)
Classical Conditioning cont’d

Conditioned Stimulus- A neutral stimulus, that,
when repeatedly paired with an
unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned
response



(for example: the ringing of a bell)
Conditioned Response- The response that
occurs after learning the conditioned stimulus
will be paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
(for example: Salvation at the sound of the
bell)
Operant Conditioning
 Defined
by the learning based on the
association of consequences with one’s
behaviors.
 This
conditioning is learned through a
multitude of ways: Positive Reinforcement,
Negative Reinforcement, Positive
Punishment, Negative Punishment
Operant Conditioning Terms
 Positive
Reinforcement – The addition of
something pleasant following the desired
behavior
 Negative
Reinforcement- The removal of
something unpleasant following the
desired behavior.

(for example: Bob will do this dishes to
avoid his wife’s nagging)
Positive Reinforcement
 Here
is a great example of Positive
Reinforcement in Operant Conditioning
from the show “The Big Bang Theory”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt4N9
GSBoMI
Operant Conditioning Terms

Positive Punishment – The addition of
something unpleasant following an undesired
behavior


(for example: detention)
Negative Punishment – The removal of
something pleasant following an undesired
behavior.

(for example: Being grounded for bad grades.
Removal of freedom to choose what to do with
one’s own leisure)
Positive Punishment
 Here
is a great example of Positive
Punishment in Operant Conditioning from
the show “The Big Bang Theory”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhI5h5
JZi-U