Download Essential Questions, Vocabulary, and Review Charts

LEARNING THEORIES
Essential Questions:
 What is learning?
 What is classical conditioning?
 Why is Pavlov's work important?
 What is operant conditioning?
 What are different types of reinforcers?
 How does punishment affect behavior?
 What is the difference between punishment and
reinforcement?
 What cognitive and biological processes and restraints
affect operant conditioning?
VOCABULARY: Learning, associative learning, classical
conditioning, behaviorism, unconditioned response (UR),
unconditioned stimulus (UC), conditioned response (CR),
conditioned stimulus (CS), acquisition, extinction, spontaneous
recovery, generalization, discrimination, operant conditioning,
respondent behavior, operant behavior, law of effect, operant
chamber, shaping, reinforcer, positive reinforcement, negative
reinforcement, primary reinforcer, conditioned reinforcer,
continuous reinforcement, partial reinforcement, fixed-ratio
schedule, variable-ratio schedule, variable-interval schedule,
punishment, cognitive map, latent learning, intrinsic
motivation, extrinsic motivation, observational learning,
modeling, mirror neurons, prosocial behavior
LEARNING THEORIES
Classical Conditioning – PAVLOV and WATSON
Classical Conditioning - type of learning in which an organism comes to
associate stimuli
a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a
Unconditioned
response
Stimulus (US)
the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the
Unconditioned
unconditioned stimulus (US)
Response (UR)
an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association
Conditioned
with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a
Stimulus (CS)
conditioned response (CR)
the learned response to a previously neutral, but now
Conditioned
conditioned, stimulus (CS)
Response (CR)
Operant Conditioning – SKINNER
Operant Conditioning - learning in which behaviors are strengthened if
followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher.
Thorndike’s law of effect – behavior followed by favorable consequences
becomes more likely; behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences
becomes less likely
Shaping – an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide
behavior toward closer and closer approximations of a desired goal
Primary reinforcer – an innately reinforcing stimulus, may satisfy a
biological need or drive (ex: food)
Secondary reinforcer – a conditioned reinforcer, a stimulus that gains its
reinforcing power through its socially constructed meanings (ex: money,
popularity, etc)
Latent learning – learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an
incentive to demonstrate it.
Overjustification effect – the effect of a promising a reward for doing what
one already likes to do (diminishes intrinsic motivation)
Positive
Reinforcement Adding a desired
stimulus
(ex: praise or money for
desired behaviors)
Punishment
Adding an undesired
stimulus
(ex: spanking, speeding
ticket)
Negative
Removing an undesired
stimulus
(ex: taking medicine to take
away pain, removal of
homework for good behavior
Removing a desired stimulus
(ex: taking away a privilege,
being grounded)
Reinforcement Schedules
Schedule
Description
Continuous Reinforces a response every time
it occurs
Fixed-ratio
Variableratio
Fixedinterval
Variableinterval
Example
Putting coins in a vending
machine, praise each time
you get an A
Reinforces a response only after a People paid on piecework
set/certain number of responses
(every 30 pieces), frequent
flyer programs
Reinforces a response after
Slot-machines, lotto tickets
varying/unpredictable numbers of *Produces the strongest
responses
response rate*
Reinforces behavior only after a
Weekly paychecks, waiting
certain amount of time has passed for pudding/Jell-O to set
Reinforces behavior after
Pop quizzes, your boss
varying/unpredictable time
checking your work
intervals
randomly, speed traps
Observational learning – BANDURA (Bobo doll study on modeled
aggression)
Observational Learning – learning that occurs by observation, modeling, and
imitation of actions.