Learning, Memory, Thinking

Cognitive Psychology

Learning

What is learning?

From a psychologists perspective:

Learning: change in knowledge or behaviour as a result of experience.

Learning

In this case, did Hans really learn anything?

Learning

Kinds of Learning:

1) Conditioned Learning:

Acquiring patterns of behaviour in the presence of an environmental stimuli.

Most human behaviour is likely due to conditioning.

Learning

1)Conditioned Learning

A)Classical Conditioning: Pavlov

Transfer a natural response from one stimulus to another.

US UR

US +CS UR

CS CR

LearningPavlov Dog Experiment

Learning

In this case, what was the:

Unconditioned Stimulus?

Unconditioned Response?

Conditioned Stimulus?

Conditioned Response?

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LearningExample: Little Albert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FKZAYt77ZM&feature=related

Learning

Watson: Little Albert

In this case, what was the:

Unconditioned Stimulus?

Unconditioned Response?

Conditioned Stimulus?

Conditioned Response?

Learning

• Generalization: a person learns a response to a particular stimulus then makes the same response to similar stimuli.

• Extinction: gradual disappearance of an acquired response by the absence of the unconditioned stimulus.

Learning

B) Operant Conditioning: Skinner

Using reinforcement to control behaviour.

Positive Reinforcement: Event, situation, or condition that increases the likelihood that a certain behaviour will recur.

Negative Reinforcement: Event, situation, or condition that decreases the likelihood that a certain behaviour will recur.

Learning

Example: Skinner Boxhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQtDTdDr8vs

LearningConditioned taste avoidance

Example: Blue jay

Learning

So what?

Pigeons have been trained using the Skinner box to peck when they see orange.

Trained pigeons used for search and rescue.

Learning

So what?

Slot machines employ a variable-ratio reward system.

Reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses centered around an average.

Learning

Discipline:

Research had found that rewards are more effective than punishment on changing behaviour.

What do you think?

Learning

2) Observational Learning

Many skills are required by first watching someone else complete it first.

LearningBandura identified four processes key to observational learning

Attention: Must first pay attention to the behavior of others.

Retention: Store a representation of what you observe.

Reproduction: Convert stored memory to action.

Motivation: Motivated to practice skill.

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LearningObservational Learning and Violence

Bobo Dollhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHdovKHDNU