Learning

Learning

1. Classical conditioning

   • Before conditioning
     • Unconditioned stimulus -> unconditioned response
     • Neutral stimulus
   • During conditioning
     • Neutral stimulus + unconditioned stimulus -> unconditioned response
   • After conditioning
     • Conditioned stimulus -> conditioned response
   • Extinction
   • Spontaneous recovery
   • Reconditioning
   • Stimulus generalization
   • Stimulus discrimination
   • What strengthens conditioned responses?
     • Frequency of pairings
     • Timing
     • Intensity of unconditioned stimulus
   • Higher order conditioning (CS + new NS)
     • Little Albert: CR fear of rat, also afraid of other animals
   • Conditioned emotional reaction
   • More examples: chemo patients, taste aversions

2. Operant conditioning: behavior dependent on its consequences

   • Thorndike puzzle box: cats did random things until they got it right (food)
   • Law of effect: learning = reinforcement + punishment
   • Skrinner
     • Developed operant conditioning model based on Thorndike's groundwork
     • Repeat behaviors with positive consequences, stop behaviors with negative ones
   • 3 types of consequences to determine likeliness of response
     • Neutral
     • Reinforcement
     • Punishment
     • Positive/negative: relates to stimulus added or removed
   • Primary reinforcers: satisfy biological needs
   • Secondary reinforcers: satisfy needs through learning process

3. Learning schedules

   • Fixed interval: reinforcement delivered at predictable time intervals
   • Variable interval: unpredictable time intervals
   • Fixed ratio: after predictable # of responses
   • Variable ratio: after unpredictable # of responses. MOST EFFECTIVE
   • Continuous: reinforced every time

4. Shaping: reinforcing behavior in a desired direction

   • Method of successive operations

5. Cognitive learning: beyond classical/operant; higher level cognitive process is used to learn

6. Observational learning: Bandura's 4 keys

   • Attention
   • Retention
   • Reproduction
   • Motivation

7. Insight learning: sudden realization after mentally working through problem

8. Behavior modification

   • Reconditions people to produce more desirable/effective patterns of behavior
   • Work on maladaptive habits like overeating