Learning

Most learning is associative learning

• Learning that certain events occur together

There  are 3 main  types of Learning

• Classical Conditioning (Ivan Pavlov)
• Observational Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning

Unconditional Stimulus (UCS) : a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response

Unconditional Response : the unearned, naturally occurring response to the UCS

Conditioned Stimulus (CS) : an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with the UCS, comes to trigger a response.

Conditioned Response : the learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

Acquisition

• The initial stage of learning
• The phase when the neutral stimulus is associated with  the UCS so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit the Conditioned Response (thus becoming the CS)

Extinction 

• The diminishing of a conditioned response

Spontaneous Recovery

• The reappearance after a rest period, of an extinguished conditional response
  

Generalization

• The tendency oncea response has been conditioned, for stimuli similiar to the CS to elicit similar  responses

Discrimination

• The learned ability to distinguish between a CS  and another stimuli that does not signal the UCS

Operant Conditioning

• A type of learning in  which behavior is strengthened if followed by reinforcement or diminished if followed b punishment

Classical vs. Operant

• They both use acquisition, discrimination, SR, generalization and extinction.
• Classical conditioning is automatic
• Operant conditioning involves behavior where one can influence their environment with the behaviors which have consequences

The Law of Effect (Edward Thorndike)

• Edward Thorndike
• Rewarded behavior is  likely to recur

B.F Skinner

• Shaping - A procedure in Operant Conditioning in which reinforces guide behavior closer and closer towards a goal

Reinforcer

• Any event that strengthens the behavior it follows
• Positive Reinforcement - strengths  a response by presenting a stimulus after a response
• Negative Reinforcement - strengthens a response by reducing or removing an aversive stimulus

Punishment

• Any event that decreases the behavior that follows it
• Positive Punishment - something bad is added in order to decrease an unwanted behavior
• Negative Punishment - Something good is removed to  cause an unwanted behavior to  decrease

Types of reinforcers

Primary Reinforcer

• An innately reinforcing stimulus

Conditioned (Secondary) Reinforcer

• A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer

Partial Reinforcer

• Reinforcing a response only part of the time
• The Acquistion process is slower
• Greater resistance to extinction

Fixed -ratio Schedules

• A schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

Variable-ratio Schedule

• A schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

Fixed-Interval Schedule

• requires a set amount of time to elapse before the reinforcement is given

Variable-interval Schedule

• A schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals

Token Economy

• Every time a desired behavior is performed, a token is given they can trade tokens in for a variety of prizes (reinforcers) 
• Used in homes,prisons,mental institutions an school

Observational Learning

• Albert Bandura and his bobo doll
• We learn through modeling behavior from others

Latent Learning

• Edward Toleman 
• Latent means hidden
• Sometimes learning is not immediately evident

Insight Learning

• Wolfgang Kohler
• Sometimes animals learn through the "ah-ha" experience