Learning

1
Learning

• How we acquire information / knowledge.
• All brains are, in essence, anticipation
  machines.
• Daniel Dennett (1991)

2
Learning

• Learning Objectives
• Classical Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning
• Schedules of Reinforcement

3
Classical Conditioning

• (J. Watson, I. Pavlov)
• associating / pairing events
• Elicit
• aka
• Respondent Conditioning
• Pavlovian Conditioning

4
Classical Conditioning

• 4 Types of Classical Conditioning
• Delayed (Pavlov) most efficient
• Simultaneous
• Trace
• Backward

5
Classical Conditioning

• Terms
• Extinction
• Generalization
• Discrimination
• Applications of Classical Conditioning
• Case of Jeffrey Dahmer

6
Operant Conditioning

• (B. F. Skinner, E. Thorndike)
• Defined
• Simple form of learning, behavior is reinforced.
• Emit
• aka Instrumental Conditioning

7
Operant Conditioning

• Edward Thorndike
• The Law of Effect
• Responses are Stamped In by reinforcement, and
  Stamped Out by punishment.

8
Types of Reinforcers

• Reinforcers increase desired behavior
• Positive (present)
• Negative (remove)
• Feelings
• Reward (pleasant)
• Punishment (unpleasant)

9
Schedules of Reinforcement

• Intervaltime / Ratioresponse
• FIXED INTERVAL
• Scallop (slack off after reinforcement)
• Studying for a quiz at the last minute.
• VARIABLE INTERVAL
• Reinforcement is unpredictable
• Studying for a pop quiz.

10
Schedules of Reinforcement

• Ratio systems maintain high response rates
• FIXED RATIO
• ex. Paying piece rate workers
• VARIABLE RATIO
• Slot machines are often set to this

11
Operant Conditioning

• Shaping
• Ex. Potty training, puppy training
• Connections between media violence and aggressive
  behavior.