Unit 5: Learning (Behaviorism)

Essential Task: Distinguish general differences between

principles of classical conditioning, operant  conditioning, and

observational learning.

WHS AP Psychology

Learning The process by which experience or practice results in a relatively permanent change in behavior or potential behavior

Classical ConditioningThe type of learning in

which a response naturally elicited by one stimulus becomes to be

elicited by a different formally neutral stimulus

Operant ConditioningThe type of learning in which behaviors are emitted to earn rewards or avoid punishments

Social Cognitive Learning Theory

The type of learning in which behaviors are learned by observing a model

Pavlov and Watson B.F. Skinner Albert Bandura

UCS, UCR, CS, CRReinforcement and

PunishmentModeling and Vicarious

Learning

We are here

Essential Task Outline:

• 3 Types of Learning– Classical Conditioning

• Definition• Key Terms• Key Psychologists

– Operate Conditioning• Definition• Key Terms• Key Psychologists

– Social Cognitive Learning Theory• Definition• Key Terms• Key Psychologists

Classical Conditioning

• Book definition: The type of learning in which a response naturally elicited by one stimulus becomes to be elicited by a different formally neutral stimulus.

• Working definition: – Type of learning that happens TO someone– Person learns to respond to a stimulus.– Previously the stimulus meant nothing. – Now it means something IS ABOUT TO

HAPPEN.Outline

Examples of Classical Conditioning

Phobias

After the attacks, cats become a warning stimulus for pain causing fear

when the child sees cats.

After this botched photo, 6 ft bunny becomes warning stimulus for

someone trying to capture you.

Examples of Classical Conditioning

Taste Aversion

After throwing up a food, it becomes a warning stimulus

for getting sick.

Examples of Classical Conditioning

Using Sex to Sell

Advertisers pair their product with sexual imagery hoping that the product will

become a ‘promising stimulus’ for sexual arousal. Hopefully this connection makes

you grab their product off the self .

Examples of Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning Key Terms

Book Definitions• Unconditioned Stimulus (US) – A stimulus that

invariably causes an organism to responds in a specific way

• Unconditioned Response (UR) – A response that takes place in an organisms whenever an unconditioned stimulus occurs

• Conditioned Stimulus (CS) – An originally neutral stimulus that is paired with an unconditioned stimulus an eventually produces the desired response in an organism when presented alone.

• Conditioned Response (CR) – After conditioning, the response an organism produces when only a conditioned stimulus is presented.

Key Psychologists

• Ivan Pavlov Russian physiologist known primarily for his work in classical conditioning.

Key Psychologists

• John B. Watson

Operant Conditioning

• Book definition: The type of learning in which behaviors are emitted to earn rewards or avoid punishments

• Working definition: – Type of learning that happens BECAUSE

SOMEONE OPERATES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

– You learn to do things to earn rewards and to avoid punishment

Examples of operant conditioning

Working

You go to work to get rewarded by a

paycheck

Examples of operant conditioning

Coming home by curfew

You come home by curfew to avoid getting yelled at.

Examples of operant conditioning

Superstitious Behavior

You do things you know have no real impact on

reality because that one time you did it, the team

won.

Examples of operant conditioning

Going to school.

You take challenging courses,

do lots of work so that you can. . . ?

Key Terms in Operant Conditioning

• Reinforcer– A stimulus or event that follows a behavior

and makes that behavior more likely to occur again

– Two types (positive and negative)

• Punisher– A stimulus or event that follows a behavior

and makes that behavior less likely to occur again

Key Psychologist

• B.F. Skinner

Social Cognitive Learning Theory

• Book definition: The type of learning in which behaviors are learned by observing a model

• Working definition: – Type of learning that happens just by

watching.

Outline

Examples of Social Cognitive Learning Theory

Video Games

By watching hours of people shoot each other, gamers learn more

aggressive behaviors.

Examples of Social Cognitive Learning Theory

Gender Roles

By watching parents and society, we learn our gender roles.