Learning

Ivan Pavlov

Interested in the way behavior is conditioned by association. Conducted experiments to test behavioral responses to stumuli.

Classical Conditioning

Phases of Classical Conditioning

Phases of Classical Conditioning

Phases of Classical Conditioning

Learning Factors

• Number of pairings

• Strength of UCS

• Reliability of CS in predicting UCS

• Occurrence of CS just before UCS

Timing of CS before UCS

Classical Conditioning Applied

• Flooding

• Systematic desensitization

• Taste aversion (Smell aversion…)

Systematic Desensitization

RELAXING IMAGE(UCS)

Calm(UCR)

Relaxing Image paired with a

FEARED OBJECT(CS)

Calm(UCR)

Systematic Desensitization

Until finally

The FEARED OBJECT

(CS)

Calm(CR)

Thorndike's Law of Effect

Stimulus Response

StrengthensGood

Outcome

Weakens Bad Outcome

Operant Conditioning

Behavior

followed by

Reinforcement

Increaseschances of

For Your Viewing Pleasure….Einstein the Parrot

• http://tinyurl.com/52ydx

B. F. Skinner

Described operant conditioning.

Investigated reward schedules.

Beyond Basic Operant Conditioning

• Generalization and discrimination

• Extinction and Spontaneous Recovery

• Shaping

• Superstitious Behavior

• Primary and Secondary Reinforcers

Reinforcement Schedules

• Continuous Reinforcement

• Fixed Ratio

• Variable Ratio

• Fixed Interval

• Variable Interval

Typical Response CurvesR

espo

nse

Rat

e

Time Since Beginning

REWARDS

Typical Response Curves

VariableInterval

VariableRatio

Res

pons

e R

ate

Time

Magnitude of Reinforcement

Immediacy of Reinforcement

TIME

Reward vs.Punishment

Makes a behavior more likely

Makes a behavior less likely, or...

Causes avoidance of the punisher, or ...

Makes the organism avoid getting caught, or...

Causes habituation to punishment, or...

Has no effect if the reward is greater than the punishment is aversive, or...

Combinations of the previously noted effects

Punishment

• Limitations

• Alternatives

– Removing

– Behavior Modification

– Token Economies

– Time Outs

But, humans aren’t rats...

• Humans form hypotheses, and humans can learn through observation.

• Hypothesis Testing• Insight Learning• Latent Learning

– Tolman– Bandura (Observational Learning)

Observational Learning

People tend to imitate:

–People they see as more like them

–People who are rewarded

–Prestigious people

Cognitive and Social Learning

• Learning from models– “Do as I do”– Learning from television

Learning Types