Definition of Learning

Learning is a process of relatively permanent change that occurs as a result of an organism's experience.

Goal:

To develop general principles of learning

Types of Learning

I. Classical Conditioning

Definition:

a form of learning that consists of the establishment of a conditioned or learn reflex.

A reflex is unlearned:

unconditioned stimulus (US)---> unconditioned response (UR)

e.g. puff of air into eye--->eyeblink
e.g. food in mouth ---> salivation

But, if repeatedly pair a neutral stimulus (CS) with the US:

conditioned stimulus (CS) + unconditioned stimulus (US) ---> UR
conditioned stimulus (CS) by itself ---> conditioned response (CR)

Pavlov's dogs:

CS + US -----> UR
bell + Food ----> salivation

bell (all by itself) -------> salivation (CR)

helpful chart

Examples:

conditioned fear

sexual fetishism (inability to obtain sexual gratification unless a particular object is present)

II. Operant Conditioning

consisting of forming relations learning relationships between behavior and its consequences.

Thorndike's Law of Effect: (2 links here)

behavior changes because of its consequnces

Consequences

a. Positive Reinforcement

response--->present reward
then, response increases in frequency

b. Negative Reinforcement

rsponse--->termination of aversive stimulus
then, response increases in frequency

c. Punishment

response--->present aversive stimulus
then, response decreases in frequency.

What is Learned in Operant Conditioning?

Contingencies between antecdents, responses, and consequences

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