Learned behaviour: Conditioning

-Explain that an animals early experiences in life have a big impact on the way in which it behaves as an adult (Grade C)-Explain that animals can learn through conditioning (Grade A)-Recall that humans can make use of conditioning when training captive animals for specific purposes (Grade A)

B3.2 lesson 2

Starter• Who has a pet cat or dog?

• Can you describe what happens when the pet hears or sees a can of pet food being opened, or what the dog does when it sees its lead being picked up or people putting outdoor clothes on.

• These are examples of conditioning, where the animal has learned to associate a stimulus (the opening of a can, the preparation of the lead) with an effect (being fed, being taken for a walk).

Research task

• Ivan Pavlov famously studied conditioning in dogs.

• J.B. Watson carried out an experiment in the 1920s on ‘Little Albert’.

• Research both of these experiments and make a poster or a report about learned behaviour which summarises your findings.

Pavlov’s dogs

• It is often said that in educating students you need ‘a carrot and a stick’.

• Do you agree? • Write down some experiences you

have had, related to both positive and negative conditioning.

• Is positive or negative conditioning more effective?

• What about ‘smacking’ and corporal punishment?

• Do you think that punishments such as prison sentences are effective?

IL

• Summary worksheet B3.2.2a (O:\Students\Science\Biology\Extension)

• Find out about another conditioning experiment and write about it

Plenary

• Summary worksheet B3.2.2b

• Work in small groups to give an example of trial and error learning, in yourselves or in other animals. State the punishments and rewards used. Examples might include teaching a dog to sit, where the reward is petting or food treats, or a baby learning to walk.