Gen Psy. Lecture 8 Learning
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Lecture 8. Learning: Do we learn through association or through concept learning?
Many people developed irrational fear (phobia) through classical conditioning, and habits through
operant conditioning. Yet, most learning is carried out through observation without direct reward. In this class,
we will examine classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and conceptual learning.
1. The study of associative memory
Classical conditioning
When Pavlov investigated digestion, he noted that dogs salivated (reflex response) with sounds (a neutral
stimulus) proceeding to the appearance of meat powder (reflex stimulus). He later found that any stimulus
paired with the presentation of meat powder for a number of times can induce salivation. This is classical
conditioning.
1.1.1 The nature
It involves a reflex with its stimulus (UCS) and response (UCR), plus a neutral stimulus (CS). The basic
processes are: Acquisition, Extinction, and Spontaneous recovery
1.1.2 Three types
Spontaneous pairing, forward paring, and delay pairing.
1.1.3 Significance
It involves many aspects of our daily life, generalization, high-order conditioning, and psychotherapy.
1.2 Operant conditioning
It was first examined by Thorndike as the law of effect.
1.2.1 Nature
There are four claims: S-R as a unit, R is any behavior (operant) that operates on the environmental
object (operand). The stimulus is discriminative. Reinforcement is essential. The same basic processes of
acquisition and extinction are involved.
1.2.2 Four types
There are four types: Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Reward withheld, and Aversive
stimulus presented. There are four types of partial reinforcement: fixed ratio, fixed interval, variable
ratio, and variable interval.
1.2.3 Significance
The significance is related to high-order conditioning, stimulus generalization, and shaping with
reinforcement to produce the desired response in everyday life. Particularly, avoidance behaviors are
reinforced.
2. Cognitive Challenge
2.1 Classical conditioning
It claims that CS has the effect of CR, in fact, CS should be only a signal for US.
It claims that pairing is by contiguity, in fact, animal finds contingency
It claims that association is arbitrary, in fact, there is biological prepareness.
2.2 Classical conditioning
It claims that reinforcement is necessary, in fact, an animal can learn a map without reinforcement as in
latent learning.
It claims that association is arbitrary, in fact, response are limited by biological make up of different
animals.
3. Conceptual learning
Learning depends on the formation of concept and understanding. This can be explained with the socialcognitive learning theory.
Nature
In order to form conceptual learning, Bandura claimed four necessities: attention, retention,
reproduction, and motivation.
Types
Insight learning by Sultan in the study by Kohler
Harlow’s learning to learn, and
Observation learning such as a raven can fish and a craw can learn to use tool, Dolphin can act, and
Whale can hunt.
Significance
Observation involves most learning.
Gen Psy. Lecture 8 Learning
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A game before class: Insert the appropriate terms in the space against the respective definitions. Use the key only in case of difficulties.
1.
Classical conditioning
Terms
Definitions
1. __________________
The gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response tendency
2. __________________
A type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was
originally evoked by another stimulus.
3. __________________
A previously neutral stimulus that has, through conditioning, acquired the capacity to
evoke a conditioned response.
4. __________________
An unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus occurred without prior conditioning.
5. __________________
A stimulus that evokes an unconditioned response without previous conditioning.
6. __________________
Secretion of the digestive juice inside the mouth.
7. __________________
The reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of nonexposure to the
conditioned stimulus
8. __________________
The initial stage of learning something
9. __________________
Producing conditioned responses to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus though
with weaker magnitude.
10. ________________
A learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus.
11. ________________
To associate a neutral stimulus with a conditioned response by paring it with the
conditioned stimulus.
12. ________________
Not producing conditioned response to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.
Classical conditioning, Salivate, Acquisition, Extinction, Spontaneous recovery, Generalization, High-order conditioning, Conditioned
stimulus (CS), Unconditioned stimulus (UCS), Unconditioned response (UCR), Conditioned response (CR), Discrimination
2.
Operant conditioning and Cognitive challenge
1. _____________________Occurs
when an event following a response increases an organism's tendency to make
that response.
2. _____________________Avoidance response due to phobia
3. _____________________Any behavior that can operate on the environment.
4. _____________________Reinforcer is given after a fixed number of nonreinforced response.
5. _____________________The environment on which an organism can operate on.
6. _____________________The reinforcement of closer and closer approximations of a desired response.
7. _____________________Reinforcer is given after a variable number of nonreinforced response,
8. _____________________A form of learning in which responses come to be controlled by their consequences.
9. _____________________A schedule of reinforcement in which a designated response is reinforced some of the
time.
10. ____________________Unpleasant
11. ____________________What leads to what causally
12. ____________________Proximity in timing; one happening after the other in timing
13. ____________________A feeling of sickness and desire to vomit.
14. ____________________Applicability to a wide range of species
Operant conditioning, Reinforcement, Operant, Operand, Partial reinforcement, Fixed ratio interval, Shaping, Variable ratio interval,
Aversive, Phobic avoidance, Nausea, Generality, Contingency, Contiguity
3.
Conceptual learning and Cognitive Challenge
1. __________________
2. __________________
3. __________________
4. __________________
5. __________________
6. __________________
7. __________________
8. __________________
9. __________________
10. ________________
11. ________________
Different species have different tendencies
Any stimulus and be paired with any response.
CS produce a response opposite to that of the UCS for counterbalancing.
Different components are regarded as being essential or as the cause of an illness
A mental picture of the environment
Learning that does not show off
Learning is obtained through conceptual formation and not through association
The finding of a solution to a problem by a sudden inspiration (aha experience).
The understanding of a general pattern of a solution that can facilitate learning.
Learning through observing the performance of others.
Intricate pattern of passages interconnected in a confusing way.
Latent learning, Maze, Arbitrary association, Insight learning, Compensatory reaction, Observation learning, Differential
belongingness, Learning to learn, Cognitive map, Conceptual learning, Biological prepareness,
Key
Classical conditioning: 2,6,8,1,7,9,11,3, 5,4,10,12; Operant: 8,1,3,5,9,4,6,7,10,2,13,14,11,12; Conceptual: 6, 11, 2, 8, 3, 10, 4, 9, 5, 7, 1