Download Learning-lecture 3

Learning and Human
Behavior
What is learning?
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The process by which an experience or
practice results in a relatively
permanent change in behavior or
potential behavior
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
2
Forms of Learning
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Change in behavior
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Classical Conditioning
Instrumental(Operant) Conditioning
Change in potential behavior
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6-10-2009
Cognitive Learning
Social learning theory
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
3
Classical Conditioning

The type of learning in which a
response naturally elicited/obtained by
one stimulus comes to be
elicited/obtained by a different, formerly
neutral stimulus
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
4
Classical Conditioning continued……………………
Basic findings by Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
Before conditioning
(Bell)
Unconditioned stimulus(Food)
No response
Unconditional response(Saliva)
During conditioning
Conditioned stimulus(Bell)
Unconditioned stimulus (Food)
(Saliva)
After conditioning
Conditioned stimulus (Bell)
6-10-2009
(associated)
Unconditional response
Conditional response (Saliva)
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
5
Classical Conditioning continued……………………
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Association and prediction
Conditions for Classical Conditioning
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Timings
Repetition
Classical Conditioning in humans
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Learning and unlearning phobias
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
6
Instrumental(Operant)
Conditioning
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The type of learning in which behaviors
are emitted/produced (in presence of a
specific stimuli) to earn rewards or
avoid punishments
Basic findings by Thorndike (1898) and
B. F. Skinner (1904-1990)
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
7
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
8
Comparison of Classical &
Operant Conditioning
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Similarities
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Talk about associations
Same Features
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Generalization
Discrimination
Experimental extinction
Spontaneous recovery
Differences
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Elicit Behavior vs Emitted Behavior
Reflex/automatically triggered Action vs Voluntary
Action
Passive vs Active
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
9
Instrumental Conditioning continued……………………
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Conditions for Operant Conditioning
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Motivation
Reduction of opportunities of irrelevant action
Shaping: reinforcement of successive
approximations towards desired behavior
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
10
Instrumental Conditioning continued……………………
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Law of effect/principle of reinforcement
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Behavior that brings a satisfying effect (reinforcement) is apt
to be performed again, whereas the behavior that brings a
negative effect (punishment) is apt to be suppressed.
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Reinforcer

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An event/consequence that increases the likelihood that the
behavior preceding it will occur again
Punishment

An event/consequence that decreases the likelihood that the
behavior preceding it will occur again
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
11
Instrumental Conditioning continued……………………
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Types of reinforcers
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Positive reinforcer
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A pleasant event/consequence whose presence
increases the likelihood that the ongoing
behavior/response will recur
Negative reinforcer
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Any event/consequence whose reduction or
termination increases the likelihood that ongoing
behavior will recur
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
12
Instrumental Conditioning continued……………………
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Punishment
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Conditions for effective Punishment
 Swift
 Sufficient
 Consistent
Drawbacks
Only suppresses the undesired behavior
 Stirs up negative feelings
 Generates aggression
Must be used along with the positive reinforcers
Avoidance training can be used as an alternative strategy
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6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
13
Instrumental Conditioning continued……………………
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Learned helplessness
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Failure to take steps to avoid or escape from an
unpleasant or aversive stimulus that occurs as
a result of previous exposure to unavoidable
painful stimuli
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
14
Instrumental Conditioning continued……………………
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Positive reinforcement
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Continuous reinforcement – low resistance to extinction
Partial reinforcement schedule – high resistance to extinction
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Fixed interval
– regular pays
Variable interval
– irregular incentives
Fixed ratio
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Rewards on achieving targets
Variable ratio
 gambling
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
15
Cognitive Learning
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Learning that depends on mental processes that are
not directly observable
Experiments by Tolman & Honzik (1930)
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Latent learning
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Learning that is not immediately reflected in a
behavior change
Cognitive map
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A stored learned mental image of a spatial
environment that may be called on or put to
use when required.
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“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
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6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
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Cognitive learning continued……………………
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Insight
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Learning that occurs rapidly as a result of
understanding all elements of a problem
Learning set
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The ability to become increasingly more
effective in solving problems as more
problems are solved
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
18
Social Learning Theory
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The ability to learn by observing a model or receiving
instructions, without firsthand experience by the
learner
Conditions of learning
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Memorable act
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Attention
Motivation to convert observation into action
 Observed reinforcement
 Observed punishment
Learning vs Performance
6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
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6-10-2009
“Learning”
Instructor: Saba Nasir
20