Principles of Learning: Classical and

Operant Conditioning, and Social

Learning

Psychology I
Mrs. Hart
Behaviorism and
Learning
• Behaviorism is a theory of
learning based on the idea
that all behaviors are acquired
through conditioning, and
that these behaviors can be
measured, trained, and
changed.
• Only observable behaviors are
studied, as thoughts, emotions,
and moods are too subjective.
 Behaviorism and Learning

• Learning is a permanent change in a behavioral

tendency that results from experience.
• Conditioning occurs through interaction with the
environment.
 Classical Conditioning

• Discovered by Ivan Pavlov

• Occurs though associations between an environmental
stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.
• Conducted experiments using dogs to test his theories.
 Classical Conditioning: The Process

• Neutral stimulus
• Unconditioned stimulus (US)
• Unconditioned response (UR)
• Conditioned stimulus (CS)
• Conditioned response (CR)
 Example
A young child who reaches out and touches a hot
stove with a light on above it, is burned and cries.
Afterwards, every time she sees the stove light on,
she whimpers.
• NS:
• US:
• UR:
• CS:
• CR:
 Example Answers

• NS: light on over the stove

• US: hot stove with light on over it
• UR: crying
• CS: stove with light on over it
• CR: whimpering
 Principles of Classical Conditioning

• Acquisition – response happens gradually

• Generalization – response is similar to a range of
similar stimuli
• Discrimination – response is different to similar
stimuli
• Extinction – gradual disappearance of a
conditioned response
• Spontaneous recovery – reappearance of a
conditioned response to conditioned stimulus
 Operant Conditioning
• Theory put forth by B.F.
Skinner that explained how
we acquire a range of learned
behaviors exhibited each day.
• Type of learning that occurs
through rewards and
punishments for behavior.
• Association is made between a
behavior and a specific
consequence for the behavior.
• Uses reinforcement to teach
or change desired behavior.
 Reinforcement

• A stimulus, positive or negative, that follows a

response and increases the likelihood the response
is repeated.
 Positive reinforcement
 Negative reinforcement
 Schedule of Reinforcement
• Continuous – reinforcer is
received each time a
participant shows desired
behavior.
• Partial – rewards are given
for some responses, but not
each response, every time.
 fixed ratio schedule
 variable ratio schedule
 fixed interval schedule
 variable interval schedule
 Shaping
• Calculated reinforcement of
behavior
• Rewards for old behavior
discontinued as progress is
made towards new desired
behavior.
• Skinner’s experiments with
rats (Skinner Box)
 Chaining
• Behavior chains are a part of almost everything we do,
eating, getting dressed, etc.
• Each “link” of a chain serves as a signal for the next step
or action in the chain.
• Chaining is the reinforcement of successive elements of
a behavior chain.
 Social Learning

• Occurs when an individual observes and

imitates the behavior of others.
• Classified as either cognitive (latent or
learned helplessness) or modeling.
 Cognitive Learning
• Focuses on how information
obtained, processed, and
organized
• Concerned with mental processes
in learning.
• Latent learning: “hidden learning”
that’s only obvious when a reward
is offered.
• Learned helplessness: after several
failed attempts at something, the
belief that the situation is
uncontrollable.
 Modeling

• Copying what other’s are doing, although no real

learning takes place (We see, so we do.)
• Imitation after watching someone do something, that
the observer couldn’t do before.
• Disinhibition occurs when an observer sees a someone
engage in a threatening activity without being
punished, then engages in the same behavior his or
herself.
Behavior Modification
• Application of learning
principles to change
someone’s actions and
feelings.
• Modeling, operant
conditioning, and
classical conditioning
are all used in behavior
modification.