Learning Theory

Learning Theory

1. Evaluation

   • Learning theory is based on research with animals
     • e.g. Skinner's research with pigeons
   • Contact comfort is more important than food
     • Harlow, 1959
       • rhesus monkeys most attached to wire mother that provided comfort, not =invalid
   • Learning theory has some explanatory power
     • infants DO learn through association or reinforcement

2. Classical Conditioning = learning through association

   • UCS=food -> UCR=pleasure
   • NS=Mother -> no response
   • NC + UCS paired -> NS=CS -> pleasure

3. Operant Conditioning = learning through reinforcement