Behavioral Learning Theory : Pavlov, Thorndike & Skinner M. Borland E.P. 500 Dr. Mayton Summer 2007 Behavioral Learning Theory Components of Behavioral Learning Theory Reinforcers: positive consequences that strengthens or maintains a desired response Consequences: Conditions that follow behaviors & affect the frequency of future behaviors Extinction: When reinforcers are withdrawn, a behavior is weakened and eventually disappear Ivan Pavlov Classical Conditioning Associating a previously neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus in order to create a conditioned response Components of Classical Conditioning Unconditioned Stimulus: naturally creates a particular response Unconditioned Response: Prompted automatically by a stimulus Neutral stimuli: no effect on a response Conditioned Stimulus: previously neutral stimulus creates a particular response when combined with an unconditioned stimulus Pavlovs Conditioning Conditioned dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell, using meat powder as a stimulus B.F. Skinner Operant Conditioning Use of pleasant or unpleasant consequences to control behavior Operant Conditioning Reinforcement is key component Provides behavioral explanations for broad range of cognitive phenomena Schedule of Reinforcement: frequency, predictability and time between reinforcers Consequences happen after subject acts on environment Rats and Pigeons were rewarded (at various intervals) after certain behaviors. The Skinner Box Used for observing operant conditioning in animal behavior Edward Thorndike Law of Effect: Responses which are followed by a reward will be strengthened and habitual; responses that reduce the likelihood of a reward will be weakened Law of Effect Principles Law of readiness: responses can be chained together to satisfy a goal Law of Exercise: connections become strengthened with practice and weakened when practice ceases. Hungry cats performed small tasks to escape in order to receive food. Learned through trial and error; used previous experiences in future attempts Thorndikes Puzzle Box Similarities Comparisons Classroom implications Reinforcement shapes behavior (praise, grades, attention, punishment) Cues (antecedent stimuli) inform students which behaviors will be reinforced or punished Behavior can be shaped with feedback, rewards and extinction Generalization (transfer of behavior) allows students to learn under one condition and apply knowledge to other contexts. Fixed schedules of reinforcement can be used to teach a behavior; variable schedule of reinforcement can be used to maintain a behavior. References Slavin, R. ( 2006 ). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice (8th ed,pp ) Boston: Pearson esf95/Emilie/Diary6.html