Learning
How we acquire information / knowledge.
“All brains are, in essence, anticipation machines.”
Daniel Dennett (1991)
Learning
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Learning Objectives:
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
 Schedules
of Reinforcement
Classical Conditioning
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(J. Watson, I. Pavlov)
associating / pairing events
“Elicit”
aka:
Respondent Conditioning
Pavlovian Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
4 Types of Classical Conditioning
 Delayed: (Pavlov) most efficient
 Simultaneous
 Trace
 Backward
Classical Conditioning
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Terms:
Extinction
Generalization
Discrimination
Applications of Classical
Conditioning
Case of Jeffrey Dahmer
Operant Conditioning
(B. F. Skinner, E. Thorndike)
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Defined:
Simple form of learning, behavior is reinforced.
“Emit”
aka: Instrumental Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
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Edward Thorndike
“The Law of Effect”
Responses
are “Stamped In”
by reinforcement, and
“Stamped Out” by punishment.
Types of Reinforcers
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Reinforcers: increase desired
behavior
 Positive
(present)
 Negative (remove)
“Feelings”
 Reward (pleasant)
 Punishment (unpleasant)
Schedules of Reinforcement
[Interval=time / Ratio=response]
FIXED INTERVAL
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“Scallop” (slack off after reinforcement)
Studying for a quiz at the last minute.
VARIABLE INTERVAL
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Reinforcement is unpredictable
Studying for a “pop quiz”.
Schedules of Reinforcement
Ratio systems maintain high response rates
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FIXED RATIO
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ex. Paying piece rate workers
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VARIABLE RATIO
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Slot machines are often set to this
Operant Conditioning
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Shaping
 Ex.
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Potty training, puppy training
Connections between media
violence and aggressive
behavior.