Learning: Lecture 6

connects automatic response
to external stimuli

Pavlov’s dogs

Dogs are trained to salivate at the sound of a bell

Stimulus Response

Unconditioned Stimuli (US)-A stimulus that
automatically produces a response without any
prior learning

Neutral Stimulus (NS)- a stimulus that does not
bring about a desired response (before learning or
conditioning)

Conditioned Response

With continuous pairing of the neutral stimulus
and the unconditioned stimulus, the neutral
stimulus elicits the same response

Stages

1) Acquisition

2) Extinction

3) Generalization

4) Discrimination

Phobias and fetishes can be created or they can
be over come with the use of classical conditioning

Observational Learning

learning that occurs when a person
observes and imitates someone else’s
behaviour

Requirements

Attention: the model must have the attention of the learner

Retention: - the learner requires clarity and meaning from the
model

Motor Reproduction: must have the skill and practice to be able to
replicate

Reinforcement: - if the model is reinforced than it enhances the
effects of observational learning

Law of Effect

- Behaviours followed by positive
outcomes are strengthened and behaviours
followed by negative outcomes are weakened

Reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement

adding something positive after a
behaviour is observed

Negative Reinforcement

taking away something negative
after a behaviour is observed

Positive Punishment

- adding an adverse
stimuli in response to an observed behaviour

Negative Punishment

taking away
something desirable in response to an observed
behaviour

Reinforcement should be:

1) Immediate and consistant

2) Contingent

3) Not overused

4) Sufficient

5) Motivating

Continuous Reinforcement: reinforcement for
every occurrence of the targeted behaviour

Partial Reinforcement: reinforcement
that is occasional or intermittent

Schedule

Fixed-Ratio

A behaviour is reinforced after a set number
of responses

Variable-Ratio

A behaviour is reinforced after an average
number of times, but on an
unpredictable basis

Fixed-Interval

The first appropriate response after a fixed
amount of time is reinforced

Variable-Interval

A response is reinforced after a variable
amount of time has elapsed