Ch. 9 Social Learning
Latent Learning:
• Latent learning Latent
literally means hidden, and
latent learning is learning
that becomes obvious only
once a reinforcement is
given for demonstrating
it. Edward Toleman studied
latent learning by using rats
and showing us that
learning can occur but may
not be immediately
evident.
Latent Learning:
Toleman had three groups of rats run through a maze on a series of trials. One group
(Group A) got a reward each time it completed the maze, and the performance of these
rats improved steadily over time. Another group of rats (Group B) never got a reward, and
their performance improved only slightly over the course of the experiment. A third group
of rats (Group C) was not rewarded during the first half of the experiment, but was given a
reward during the second half of the experiment. Not surprisingly, during the first half of
the trials, Group C was very similar to the group that never received a reward (Group
B). The interesting finding, however, was that Group C's performance improved
dramatically and suddenly once it began to be rewarded for finishing the maze. In fact,
Group C's performance almost caught up to Group A's performance even though Group A
was rewarded through the whole experiment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9UDvHAs
ddE
Latent learning
• Toleman came to the conclusion that these rats must
have learned their way around the maze during the
first half of the experiment. Their performance did
not improve because they had no reason to run the
maze quickly. Toleman believed that their dramatic
improvement in maze-running time was due to latent
learning. He suggested they made a mental
representation, or cognitive map, of the maze during
the first half of the experiment and displayed this
knowledge once they were rewarded. What are the
implications of latent learning on some students in
school?
Insight Learning: the sudden appearance of
an answer or solution to a problem.
• Wolfgang
Kohler:
exposed
chimpanzee
s to new
learning
tasks and
concluded
the learn by
insight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPz6uvIbWZE
Insight learning
• Neo did not know kung fu until he needed to use it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j82GKTgVDkw
Social or Observational
Learning
• Modeling by watching
the behavior of a
model. For example; if
you want to learn a
new dance step you
watch someone else do
it.
• Albert Bandura and his
BoBo Doll
• We learn through
modeling behavior
from others.
• Observational learning
+ Operant Conditioning
Click pic to see some observational learning.
The Brain: A Secret History - Emotions;
Bandura Bobo Doll Experiment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zerCK0lRjp8
• Bandura and many other researchers founded that 88% of the
children imitated the aggressive behavior. Eight months later,
40% of the same children reproduce the violent behavior
observed in the Bobo doll experiment.
Children See, Children Do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHi2dxSf9hw
Children see Children do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2pK2NxewhM
Further Research: Observational
Learning
• Viewing violence can
increase the likelihood of
aggressive behavior. (300)
• Viewing violence reduces
our sensitivity to violence.
(videogames)
• Viewing violence decreases
our concern about the
suffering of victims
• Feeling pride or shame here
impacts our further
reaction(s) to violence
Click the PIC!
• The video game defense:
• http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=678389n
At what age do you think that media violence impacts people
the most?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Elementary school
Middle school
High school
College
Adult
Do you think that it is important to have ratings on media?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Yes
Maybe
No
Not sure
Which of the following forms of media impact children most
when it comes to violence?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Video Games
Movies
Music
Television
Internet
Taste Aversion Scenario:
• You have the stomach flu
• You eat popcorn and throw up 2
hours later (the delay portion of
this is important)
• Stomach Virus is the UCS
• Vomiting is the UCR
• Now you don’t want to eat
popcorn
• NOTE: Behavioral psychologists
have a tough time explaining this
because of the length of time in
between eating something and
getting sick.
• How do we choose what to blame
the sickness on?
Last Few Terms:
• Counter conditioning – reward behavior when
improvement is made
• Mere exposure effect – the more you see
something, the more likely you are to buy it or do it.
• Superstitions – happen just like any other
association – something positive happened so they
want to do it again
Behavioral Modification:
• Systematic Desensitization – Provide the person with a very
minor version of the phobia and work them up to handling
the phobia comfortably.
• Example: Fear of snakes:
• 1. Have them watch a short movie about snakes
• 2. Have them hold a stuffed animal snake
• 3. Have them hold a plastic snake
• 4. Have them hold a glass container with a snake inside
• 5. Have them touch a small harmless snake
• 6. Gradually work to holding a regular size snake
• Power point was adapted from :
• http://www.appsychology.com/appsychPP/appsychology/A
Ppresentationshome.htm
• http://www.actfl.org/images/April08TLEMarkParisiCartoon
OffTheMark.jpg
• http://www.sangrea.net/free-cartoons/phil_joy-oflearning.jpg
• http://hollywoodhatesme.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/jas
on.jpg
• http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/broccoli2.jpg
• http://www.blog.joelx.com/de-motivational-posters/730/