AP Psychology
Chapter 6: States of Learning
Objectives and Schedule
Objectives:
This section of the course introduces students to differences between learned and unlearned behavior. The primary
focus is exploration of different kinds of learning, including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and
observational learning. The biological bases of behavior illustrate predispositions for learning. AP students in psychology
should be able to do the following:
• Distinguish general differences between principles of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and
observational learning (e.g., contingencies).
• Describe basic classical conditioning phenomena, such as acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery,
generalization, discrimination, and higher-order learning.
• Predict the effects of operant conditioning (e.g., positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment,
schedules of reinforcement).
• Predict how practice, schedules of reinforcement, and motivation will influence quality of learning.
• Interpret graphs that exhibit the results of learning experiments.
• Provide examples of how biological constraints create learning predispositions.
• Describe the essential characteristics of insight learning, latent learning, and social learning.
• Apply learning principles to explain emotional learning, taste aversion, superstitious behavior, and learned
helplessness.
• Suggest how behavior modification, biofeedback, coping strategies, and self-control can be used to address
behavioral problems.
• Identify key contributors in the psychology of learning (e.g., Albert Bandura, John Garcia, Ivan Pavlov, Robert
Rescorla, B. F. Skinner, Edward Thorndike, Edward Tolman, John B. Watson).
Unit Outline:
Monday, December 1st, 2014:
1. PPT Notes – classical conditioning, habituation, mere-exposure effect
2. PPT Notes – components of classical conditioning
3. Assignment: Baby Albert Quiz Wednesday
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014:
1. Condition Pavlov’s dogs
2. PPT Notes: Timing, Taste Aversion and Practical Applications
3. CC practice sheet
4. Assignment: Baby Albert Quiz tomorrow
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014: (Late Arrival)
1. PPT Notes: discrimination and generalization
2. PPT Notes: extinction, spontaneous recovery
3. Baby Albert Quiz
Thursday, December 4th, 2014:
1. PPT Notes: Comparing CC and OC
2. PPT Notes: Thorndike, Law of Effect, Skinner
3. PPT Notes: Operant Conditioning, Positive and negative reinforcement
a. Video Clip
Friday, December 5th, 2014: (Food Drive – many absences)
1. Return and discuss Baby Albert quiz – video clip
2. Video: Coulrophobia
Monday, December 8th, 2014:
1. Partner practice: Pos. & Neg. Reinforcement Sheet
2. PPT Notes: Primary and secondary reinforcement
3. PPT Notes: Schedules of reinforcement
Tuesday, December 9th, 2014:
5. Finish Reinforcement Schedules - Partner Practice
6. Finish Operant Conditioning PPT Notes: Token economy, Premack principle, punishment
7. Handout – Operant Conditioning Chart
8. Assignment: Practice FRQ due Friday
Wednesday, December 10th, 2014:
1. Cognitive and Social Learning:
 PPT Notes: Kohler/insight learning, Tolman/cognitive maps, Bandura/observational learning
2. Review
3. Ch. 5/6 Exam tomorrow
Thursday, December 11th, 2014:
1. Concept Lists due
2. Ch. 5/6 Exam
3. Assignment: Practice FRQ due tomorrow
Friday, December 12th, 2014:
1. Return and discuss Ch. 5/6 Exam
2. Discuss practice FRQ and give rubric
Monday, December 15th, 2014:
1. Review for finals
2. Final Exam FRQ tomorrow
Tuesday, December 16th, 2014:
1. Review for finals
2. Final Exam FRQ