Learning

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Learning defined on page
– Classical conditioning
– Operant/Instrumental conditioning
– Observational learning
Ivan Pavlov – Classical conditioning
 Terminology
– Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
– Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
– Unconditioned Response (UCR)
– Conditioned Response (CR)
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Classical Conditioning: More Terminology
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Trial = pairing of UCS and CS
Acquisition = initial stage in learning
Stimulus contiguity = occurring together in time and space
3 types of Classical Conditioning
– Simultaneous conditioning : CS and UCS begin and end together
– Short-delayed conditioning : CS begins just before the UCS, end together
– Trace conditioning : CS begins and ends before UCS is presented
 Classical Conditioning in Everyday Life
– Conditioned fears
– Other conditioned emotional responses
– Conditioning and physiological responses
– Conditioning and drug effects –
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Processes in Classical Conditioning
 Extinction
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Spontaneous Recovery
Stimulus Generalization
 Discrimination
 Higher-order conditioning
 Applications of classical conditioning and persuasion
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Operant Conditioning or Instrumental
Learning
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Edward L. Thorndike (1913) – the law of effect – puzzle box and learning curve
B.F. Skinner (1953) – principle of reinforcement
– Operant chamber – “Skinner Box” –
– Emission of response
– Reinforcement contingencies – antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC)
– Cumulative recorder –
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Skinner box and cumulative recorder
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Basic Processes in Operant
Conditioning
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 Acquisition
Shaping – animal examples
Extinction
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Stimulus Control
– Generalization
– Discrimination
Remote controlled rat –
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Comparison of Basic Processes in Classical and Operant Conditioning
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Reinforcement: Consequences that
Strengthen Responses
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Delayed Reinforcement
– Longer delay, slower conditioning
Primary Reinforcers
– Satisfy biological needs
Secondary Reinforcers
– Conditioned reinforcement
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 Continuous reinforcement
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Intermittent (partial) reinforcement
Ratio schedules
– Fixed
– Variable
Interval schedules
– Fixed
– Variable
Schedules of reinforcement and everyday life –
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Consequences: Reinforcement and
Punishment
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Increasing a response :
– Positive reinforcement = response followed by rewarding stimulus
– Negative reinforcement = response followed by removal of an aversive stimulus
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Escape learning
• Avoidance learning
Decreasing a response :
– Punishment
– Problems with punishment – third variable problem and correlation between punishment and aggression –
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Changes in Our Understanding of
Conditioning
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Biological Constraints on Conditioning
– Breland and Breland (1961) – misbehavior of organisms
– Instinctive Drift
– Conditioned Taste Aversion – Garcia & Koelling (1966) –
Preparedness and Phobias
Cognitive Influences on Conditioning
– Signal relations
– Response-outcome relations
– Latent learning –
– Evolutionary Perspectives on learning
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Observational Learning: Basic
Processes
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Albert Bandura (1977, 1986)
– Observational learning –
– Vicarious conditioning
– Bandura, Ross, & Ross (1963) – featured study 4 key processes
– attention
– retention
– reproduction
– motivation acquisition vs. performance
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Table of Contents p. 245

 Studies demonstrate that exposure to TV and movie violence increases the likelihood of physical aggression, verbal aggression, aggressive thoughts, and aggressive emotions
 The association between media violence and aggression is nearly as great as the correlation between smoking and cancer – third variable problem
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Comparison of the relationship between media violence and aggression to other correlations.
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