Learning 11/5/98

Generalization & Discrimination

From Classical Conditioning to Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

Classical vs. Operant Conditioning

Thorndike's Law of Effect

Reinforcement: Concepts and Terms

At the eye of a theoretical storm

Nature vs. Nurture

Radical Behaviorism vs. the mind?

Generalization--A response conditioned to a particular CS tends to be evoked by stimuli that are similar to the CS.

Discrimination--If similar stimuli are paired with different UCS, the organism will learn the different associations.

Called freely emitted behaviors "operants."

So...operant conditioning is a theory about how you influence freely emitted behaviors.

R--->S b/c "stimulus" follows response.

Behavior followed by unpleasant state lowers probability of behavior's reoccurrence.

Behavior followed by pleasant state raises probability of behavior's reoccurrence.

Primary Reinforcers-fulfill some biological need (e.g., food, water, air).

Secondary Reinforcers (or Conditioned Reinforcers)--bring about pleasant state because of association with primary reinforcer (e.g., tokens that can be traded for food--Uncle Scrooge and the cash vault pool)

Reinforcement always brings about a more pleasant state. 2 ways to do this:

Positive Reinforcement: Behavior is followed by a pleasant stimulus (e.g., food).

 

Negative Reinforcement: Behavior is followed by the termination of an aversive stimulus (e.g., stop shock).

We develop behavior patterns because they have been reinforced (e.g., hostility, arousal, sociability, studying--at the extreme--everything).

Superstitious behaviors, for example, can be produced by random reinforcement schedules.

Behaviors are "stamped in or out" of organism by experience.