Overview
The lecture covers the psychology of learning, focusing on distinguishing learned behaviors from instincts and reflexes, and explains the main types of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.
Instincts, Reflexes, and Learned Behavior
- Instincts and reflexes are innate, unlearned behaviors present at birth.
- Reflexes are simple, automatic responses to stimuli, involving basic neural pathways.
- Instincts are complex behaviors triggered by broader events, involving higher brain centers.
- Learned behaviors result from experience and involve changes in knowledge or skills.
Types of Learning
- Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.
- Three primary forms of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, observational learning.
- Associative learning involves connecting events or stimuli that occur together.
Classical Conditioning
- Classical conditioning is learning through association between neutral and unconditioned stimuli.
- Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) naturally elicits an unconditioned response (UCR).
- A neutral stimulus (NS) becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) after being paired with the UCS, leading to a conditioned response (CR).
- Processes include acquisition (learning the association), extinction (weakening of the association), spontaneous recovery (return of CR after a break), generalization, and discrimination.
- Higher-order conditioning occurs when a CS conditions a new NS.
- Real-world examples include food aversions, phobias, and advertising.
Operant Conditioning
- Operant conditioning is learning based on associating behavior with consequences.
- Reinforcement increases behavior; punishment decreases it.
- Positive means adding a stimulus; negative means removing a stimulus.
- Shaping reinforces successive approximations of a target behavior.
- Primary reinforcers satisfy biological needs; secondary reinforcers are linked to primary ones (e.g., money).
- Token economies use secondary reinforcers to modify behavior.
Reinforcement Schedules
- Continuous reinforcement gives a reward every time; partial reinforcement gives it intermittently.
- Fixed interval: reward after a set time; variable interval: reward after unpredictable time.
- Fixed ratio: reward after a set number of responses; variable ratio: reward after an unpredictable number.
- Variable ratio schedules produce the most persistent behavior and are linked to gambling.
Observational Learning
- Observational learning involves acquiring new behaviors by watching models.
- Models can be live, verbal, or symbolic.
- Steps in observational learning: attention, retention, reproduction, motivation.
- Vicarious reinforcement/punishment influences motivation to imitate.
- Observational learning can have pro-social or antisocial effects, including modeling aggression or kindness.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Reflex — Automatic, unlearned response to a specific stimulus.
- Instinct — Complex, innate behavior triggered by broader events.
- Learning — Lasting change in behavior or knowledge from experience.
- Classical Conditioning — Learning via association between two stimuli.
- Operant Conditioning — Learning via association between behavior and consequence.
- Reinforcement — Increases likelihood of a behavior.
- Punishment — Decreases likelihood of a behavior.
- Primary Reinforcer — Innate reward (food, water).
- Secondary Reinforcer — Learned reward linked to a primary reinforcer.
- Token Economy — System using tokens for behavioral rewards.
- Observational Learning — Learning by watching and imitating others.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the definitions and examples of classical and operant conditioning.
- Identify real-life examples of each learning type in your environment.
- Complete any assigned readings or homework on reinforcement schedules and observational learning.