PSY 402What is Learning?Three Limits on the DefinitionThree Kinds of LearningRoots of Learning Theory1.3 (A) René Descartes; (B) René Descartes came up with the concept of reflex actionMan, the MachineThe Role of “Mind”1.4 Two famous British EmpiricistsBritish Empiricists (Associationists)1.5 Immanuel KantNature vs. nurture1.6 (A) Charles Darwin; (B) Drawing from one of Darwin’s notebooksEvolution & Natural SelectionFunctionalistsCriticisms of FunctionalismComparative Psychology1.7 (A) C. Lloyd Morgan; (B) Morgan’s dog, TonyBehaviorismEarly Experiments1.8 (A) Edward Thorndike; (B) Two puzzle boxes Thorndike used to study the intelligence of catsThorndike’s LawsThorndike’s Laws (Cont.)1.9 (A) Ivan Pavlov; (B) Pavlov’s classical conditioning set-upPavlov’s Conditioned ReflexPavlov’s Studies1.10 John B. WatsonWatson & RaynorLittle Albert1.11 (A) B. F. Skinner; (B) A modern “Skinner box”Ethics of Learning ResearchThe Operant vs Respondent Distinction1.12 Edward C. Tolman developed “operational behaviorism”Tolman’s Operational Behaviorism1.13 A theoretical construct like “thirst” is not directly observable (Part 1)1.13 A theoretical construct like “thirst” is not directly observable (Part 2)PSY 402Theories of LearningChapter 1 – What is Learning?What is Learning? Learning is: An experiential process Resulting in a relatively permanent change Not explained by temporary states, maturation, or innate response tendencies.Three Limits on the Definition The change that occurs during learning is a potential for behavior that depends on other conditions. Learning is not always a permanent change. What can be learned can be unlearned. Changes also occur for other reasons –maturation, motivation.Three Kinds of Learning Adaptation to the environment Habituation & sensitization Classical conditioning Also known as Pavlovian conditioning, respondent conditioning, S-S learning. Instrumental or operant conditioning Also known as S-R learning.Roots of Learning Theory The discovery of reflexes Functionalism British Associationists1.3 (A) René Descartes; (B) René Descartes came up with the concept of reflex actionMan, the Machine Descartes proposed that the body operates mechanically via reflex actions, similar to machinery. Reflexes are activated by stimuli in the environment. A reflex connects a stimulus (S) with a response (R). This concept is used throughout learning theory.The Role of “Mind” Descartes proposed that the mind could overrule the action of bodily reflexes. Hobbes disagreed, arguing that the mind too operated reflexively. Hedonism –all human thought is governed by seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. De la Mettrie observed that humans and animals are similar, and the body can affect the mind, as well as vice versa.1.4 Two famous British EmpiricistsJohn Locke David HumeBritish Empiricists (Associationists) Locke, Hume, Berkeley The mind is a blank slate (tabula rasa) at birth. Knowledge is built up from sense impressions combined to form complex ideas. Associations bind these impressions together. Complexity is built from simple parts Example of the apple – sweetness, redness, roundness, associated with taste, smell to form the idea (concept) of an “apple.”1.5 Immanuel KantNature vs. nurture Nativists (nature) vs. empiricists (nurture). Rationalism – Kant argued that the mind is prepared to respond to its environment at birth. A priori assumptions or ideas organize experience. We are born knowing about causality, substance, and a variety of other concepts. This idea is called preparedness. The extreme version of this philosophy is called structuralism.1.6 (A) Charles Darwin; (B) Drawing from one of Darwin’s notebooksEvolution & Natural Selection Darwin – there is a continuity between humans and animals and both struggle for survival. Perhaps the mind itself has evolved. Functionalism – because behavior promotes survival, we can study behavior to understand its adaptive function.Functionalists Dewey – lower animals have reflexes, humans have a flexible mind James – people have instincts, not reflexes The difference is whether the behavior can be changed or interrupted Brucke – internal biochemical forces motivate behavior in all species.Criticisms of Functionalism The variety of behavior across cultures is inconsistent with universal human instincts. Infants seem to have few innate instincts. Labeling everything an instinct doesn’t aid understanding much. Bernard cataloged 2000+ instinctsComparative Psychology Romanes collected stories of animal behavior. Morgan – observed that dogs were not as clever as humans in performing certain tasks. Complex animal behaviors may be built from laboriously learned simple processes. We cannot judge from the observed result but from the process of learning. Morgan’s canon – behavior should not be explained by a complex process if a simpler one works (parsimony of explanation).1.7 (A) C. Lloyd Morgan; (B) Morgan’s dog, TonyBehaviorism A search for the laws governing learning. Emphasis on experience. Avoidance of mentalistic concepts. Associations are formed based on: Resemblance (similarity) Contiguity in time or place Cause and effect We can generalize from animals to humans.Early Experiments Thorndike – S-R learning with cats in puzzle box. Pavlov – S-S learning with dogs salivating for meat powder. Watson – S-S learning with humans, such as “Little Albert” and the white rabbit. Skinner – S-R learning with rats in “Skinner boxes”(operant chambers). A “radical Behaviorist”. Tolman – the “gadfly” of Behaviorism, arguing that even rats have minds and think about their actions.1.8 (A) Edward Thorndike; (B) Two puzzle boxes Thorndike used to study the intelligence of catsThorndike’s Laws Also called S-R learning. Law of effect – A chance act becomes a learned behavior when a connection is formed between a stimulus (S) and a response (R) that is rewarded. Law of exercise – the S-R connection is strengthened by use and weakened with disuse.Thorndike’s Laws (Cont.) Law of readiness – motivation is needed to develop an association or display changed behavior. Associative shifting – a learned behavior (response) can
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