Chapter 4 – Learning and Human Nature

process by which experience produces lasting change in mental processes or behavior.

stimulus and response

motivated behaviors that have a strong innate basis.

learned preference for stimuli to which we have been previously exposed.

learning not to respond to repeated presentation of a stimulus.

is a basic form of learning process in which a stimulus that produces an innate reflex becomes associated with a previously neutral stimulus, which then acquires the power to elicit the same response.

any stimulus producing no conditioned response prior to learning

initial stage of classical conditioning, where the conditioned response (CR) becomes elicited by the conditioned stimulus (CS).

elicits an unconditioned response. Example, food creates salivation.

response elicited by an unconditioned stimulus without prior learning

a previously neutral stimulus that comes to elicit the conditioned response

the response elicited by a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with the conditioned stimulus

Conditioned Response

weakening of a conditioned response in the absence of an unconditioned stimulus. forgetting unimportant associations neurotransmitters block memories

unexpected reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a time delay.

the extension of a learned response to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

For example, fearing even small dogs after being bitten by a large dog.

learning to respond to a particular stems but not to similar stimuli.

An aversive consequence that diminishes the strength of the response it follows.

application (+) of an aversive stimulus after a response.

removal (-) of an attractive stimulus after a response.

washing mouth out with soap after saying a bad word.

Taking away one's phone after being disrespectful.

Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, and Negative punishment.

when presented without delay, is consistent, limited in duration and intensity, consequence is logical, limited to specific situation at hand, no mixed messages are sent, negative punishment is used

rebelling, lying about behaviors, avoiding punishment

an employee receives bonus for hard work, and continues to work hard.

increases

Apply a positive stimulus

Remove a negative stimulus

Taking aspirin for a headache, and the headache vanishes.

Thus, you continue taking aspirin every time you get a headache.

decreases

Someone speeding gets a traffic ticket, so drives more slowly.

a child stays out late, and misses dinner. They come home early next time.

there are brief pauses after each reinforcer is delivered

few responses immediately after each reinforcer is delivered

No pauses after each reinforcer is delivered

Responding occurs at a fairly consistent rate.

some forms of learning must be explained as changes in mental processes, rather than behavior alone

problem solving occurs by means of sudden reorganization of perception

mental representation of a physical or mental "space.

" It also supported that learning was mental, not purely behavioral.

when learning occurs without reinforcement and without any hint that it took place.

form of cognitive learning, new responses are acquired after watching other's behavior AND the consequences of their behavior. (Think of the doll, when parents were violent, the kids became violent after watching their parents).

biological process involving physical changes that strengthen the synapses in groups of nerve cells beloved to be the neural basis of learning

simpler circuits complex learning

classical conditioning and operant learning

concept formation, insight learning, observational learning

the consequences of behavior such as rewards and punishments, which influence the probability that the behavior will occur again. You can ask - what is the stimulus that is following the response?

responses that produced desirable results learned or "stamped" into the organism

condition (either presentation or removal of a stimulus) occurring after a response, and strengthening that response.

he believed that the most powerful influences on behavior are the consequences of the behavior. "the power of reinforcement"

stimulus presented after a response, which increases the probability of that response happening again.

removal of an unpleasant stimulus, which increases the probability of that response happening again.

reinforcement schedule in which all correct responses are reinforced

reinforcement schedule in which some, but not all correct responses are reinforced

ratio schedules and interval schedules

reinforcement depends on the number of correct responses

reinforcement depends on the time elapsed

reinforcement is continent on a certain unchanging number of responses

reinforcement presented after a certain number of responses, but that number changes from trial to trial.

reinforcement present after a certain fixed amount of time, regardless of number of responses

reinforcement present after a certain amount of time, but that amount varies from trial to trial.

Something with innate biological value - such as food or sex

money, tokens, etc.

They have an association with primary reinforcement.