AP Psychology Unit 4: Learning - Lecture Notes

Introduction

• This video is part of the Ultimate Review Packet for AP Psychology, covering Unit 4: Learning.
• Includes study guides, practice quizzes, and AP tests.
• Video covers major topics quickly; use the study guide to follow along and check answers post-lecture.

Learning Concepts

• Association: Learning by connecting items or experiences based on order of experience.
• Observational Learning: Learning by observing others (e.g., improving sports skills by watching others).
• Latent Learning: Learning that is not immediately expressed until needed.
• Social Learning: Imitating others' body language unconsciously.
• Insight Learning: Solving problems mentally to arrive at a solution.
• Trial and Error Learning: Trying different solutions until one works.
• Accidental Reinforcement: Developing superstitious behavior by linking unrelated events.

Key Figures and Experiments

• John Garcia: Research on taste aversion and association.
• Albert Bandura: Observational learning; Bobo doll experiment.
• Edward Tolman: Latent learning; rat maze experiments.
• Edward Thorndike: Trial and error learning.
• Ivan Pavlov: Father of classical conditioning; experiments with dogs and saliva.
• B.F. Skinner: Operant conditioning; reinforcement and punishment.
• Robert Rescorla and Alan Wagner: Cognition in learning.
• John B. Watson: Learning influences behavior.

Classical Conditioning

• Ivan Pavlov's Experiments
  • Dog salivation in response to a bell associated with food.
  • Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Naturally triggers a response (e.g., food).
  • Unconditioned Response (UCR): Natural response to UCS (e.g., drooling).
  • Neutral Stimulus (NS): Has no initial response (e.g., bell).
  • Acquisition: Pairing NS with UCS to trigger a Conditioned Response (CR).
  • Conditioned Stimulus (CS) & Conditioned Response (CR): CS triggers a learned CR (e.g., bell causes drooling).
  • Extinction: CR decreases when CS is presented without UCS.
  • Spontaneous Recovery: Return of CR after a pause.
  • Stimulus Generalization & Discrimination: Responding to similar stimuli; recognizing different stimuli.
  • Higher Order Conditioning: New NS becomes CS without UCS (e.g., light before bell).

Operant Conditioning

• B.F. Skinner's Concepts
  • Law of Effect: Behaviors with favorable outcomes are repeated; unfavorable ones are not.
  • Shaping: Reinforcing desired behaviors step-by-step.
  • Reinforcements and Punishments
    • Positive Reinforcement: Adding stimulus to increase behavior.
    • Negative Reinforcement: Removing stimulus to increase behavior.
    • Positive Punishment: Adding stimulus to decrease behavior.
    • Negative Punishment: Removing stimulus to decrease behavior.
• Reinforcement Schedules
  • Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement after set responses.
  • Fixed Interval: Reinforcement after set time.
  • Variable Ratio: Reinforcement after random responses.
  • Variable Interval: Reinforcement after random time.
• Overjustification Effect: Extrinsic rewards replacing intrinsic motivation.

Social and Cognitive Learning Factors

• Biological Factors: Genetic predispositions, adaptive responses, neural mirroring.
• Psychological Factors: Previous experiences, expectations, associations.
• Social and Cultural Influences: Culture, motivation, family, peers.
• Preparedness: Easier learning for survival-related associations.
• Instinctive Drift: Reverting to biological instincts after learning.
• Cognitive Maps: Mental layouts of environments aiding learning.
• Locus of Control
  • External: Outside factors determining fate.
  • Internal: Personal control over outcomes.

Coping Strategies

• Problem-Focused Coping: Changing the stressor or interaction.
• Emotion-Focused Coping: Managing emotional response to stressor.

Conclusion

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