Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Big Bang Theory. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Learning A process...

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Big Bang Theory


LearningA process through which

experience produces lasting change in behavior or mental processes

A permanent change in behavior based on

experience


BehavioristBelieve infants are born with only three

instinctive responses

1. Fear 2. Rage 3. Love

All others behaviors are developed during life through learning


The Power of ReinforcementPositive Reinforcement

Stimulus presented after a response that

increases the probability of that

response happening again

Negative Reinforcement

Removal of an unpleasant stimulus,

contingent on a particular behaviorEvery time Madge raises her hand in

class she is called on. She raised her hand 3 time during the first class, 3 times in the second and 4 times during the last class.

A child is allowed to skip a required chore if homework is finished by a certain time.

Positive Reinforcement

Something pleasant is presented

Negative Reinforcement

Something unpleasant is removed


Positive ReinforcementGiving a treat to a dog

when it sits(If this results in an increase

in the future behavior of the dog sitting).

Negative ReinforcementTurning off an annoying

song when a child asks their parent and

says “Please”(If this results in an increase

in the asking behavior of the child).


Watch videoAlfie Kohn vs Dwight Schrute on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G59KY7ek8Rk





The Skinner Box

An Operant Chamber…The Skinner BoxA testing device programmed to deliver reinforcers and punishers dependent upon an animal’s behavior


Watch videoSkinner Box - Lever Press on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQtDTdDr8vs




Skinner’s Air Crib

It was designed to make the early childcare more simple (by greatly reducing laundry, diaper rash, cradle cap, etc.), while encouraging the baby to be more confident, mobile, comfortable, healthy and less prone to cry.


Primary Reinforcers

• Reinforcers that have an innate basis because of their biological value to an organism

• Food • Sleep• Sex• Air • Water


Secondary Reinforcers

•Stimuli that acquire their reinforcing power by their learned association with primary reinforcers

• Money• Awards• Praise • Grades• Success• Power

Virtually any stimulus can become a secondary

reinforcer


Premack Principle

• The concept that a preferred activity can be used to reinforce a less preferred one

• Example: A teacher lets kids run around

(preferred activity) to reinforce a less preferred one (sitting still and listening)


Reinforcement

Continuous ReinforcementA reinforcement schedule in which all correct

responses are reinforced

Possible Problems:1. Correct responses can be

missed, causing confusion2. Typically loses its reinforcing quality


Intermittent (or Partial) Reinforcement A reinforcement schedule in which some, but

not all, correct responses are reinforced

Resistant to extinction

ReinforcementReinforcement


How does this differ from extinction in classical conditioning?

Reinforcement

• Extinction In operant conditioning, a process by which a response that has been learned is weakened by the absence or removal of reinforcement


ExtinctionOperant Conditioning• A learned response is

weakened by the removal or absence of reinforcement

• A. If a child has learned that if it cries it will get a toy, withhold the toy

• B. A child cries for attention, simply ignore the child until the crying stops

Classical Conditioning• The CR (dog salivating) is

eliminated by repeated presentations of the CS (bell/tone) without the UCS (food)

• A reversal of a learned response by withholding the UCS


ShapingTechnique where responses similar to desired response are reinforced

Example: Getting a scared child to

slide down a high slideBegin at the bottom, and

gradually go higher up the slide with each turn until the child is at the top.


Behavior ModificationExtinguish an undesirable

behavior by removing the reinforcer and replace it with a desirable behavior by reinforcement.

Example: Quit smoking --- chew gum ---

save $

It has been used on all sorts of psychological problems -- addictions, neuroses, shyness, autism, even schizophrenia -- and works particularly well with children.


Schedules of Reinforcement• 1. Ratio Schedules

Provide a reward after a certain number of responses (Ratio = number)

• 2. Interval Schedules Provide reward after a certain time interval

Fixed Ratio (FR)Fixed Ratio (FR)

Fixed Interval (FI)Fixed Interval (FI)

Variable Ratio (VR)Variable Ratio (VR)

Variable Interval (VI)Variable Interval (VI)


Schedules of Reinforcement

Fixed Ratio (FR)Fixed Ratio (FR)

Fixed Interval (FI)

Variable Ratio (VR)

Variable Interval (VI)

Rewards appear after a certain set number of responses

Example: A factory workers gets paid after every 10 cases of a product are completed



Fixed Ratio (FR)

Fixed Interval (FI)

Variable Ratio Variable Ratio (VR)(VR)


The number of responses for a reward (reinforcement) varies

Example: Telemarketers never know how many calls it takes to make a sale

slot machine pay-offs



Fixed Ratio (FR)

Fixed Interval Fixed Interval (FI)(FI)

Variable Ratio (VR)


Time period between rewards remains constant

Example: Weekly paycheck

Quarterly school grades



Fixed Ratio (FR)

Fixed Interval (FI)

Variable Ratio (VR)

Variable Interval Variable Interval (VI)(VI)

Rewards appear after a certain amount of time, but that amount varies

Example: Random visits from the boss who delivers praise

Fishing


The Problem of Punishment

Punishment An aversive consequence used to weaken the behavior that follows

• How does this differ from negative reinforcement?


Punishment vs. Negative Reinforcement

Loud Noise Press Lever

Press Lever

Loud Noise Removed

Loud Noise Applied

Response ConsequenceNegative Reinforcement

Punishment

No Noise


Two Types of Punishment

1. Positive Punishment The application of an aversive stimulus after a response

Touching a hot stove will likely reduce the chance of it happening again

Washing your mouth out with soap for swearing


Two Types of Punishment2. Negative Punishment

(Omission Training) The removal of an

reinforcer/stimulus after a response

Taking the car keys from a misbehaving teen

A child who talks back may not be allowed to watch it’s favorite cartoon


Four Kinds of Consequences

Positive orappetitive

Negative or aversive

STIMULUS

-Remove

NegativeReinforcement

Aspirin curing headache causes more aspirin use

Omission TrainingMissing dinner leads to

less staying out late

+Present

PositiveReinforcement

Bonus for working hard leads to more hard work

PunishmentGetting speeding ticketleads to less speeding


Why Punishment Doesn’t Work1.The power of punishment usually disappears when

threat of punishment is removed

Punishment…2. …often triggers aggression or escape 3. …may increase apprehension in the learner,

inhibiting the learning new and better responses

4. …is often unfair and applied unequally


When Does Punishment Work?

• It must be immediateIt must be immediate• It must be certain and consistent It must be certain and consistent • It should be limited in duration and intensityIt should be limited in duration and intensity• Should be clearly target the behavior, not the Should be clearly target the behavior, not the

personperson• Limited to the situation in which the response Limited to the situation in which the response

occurred occurred • Should not send mixed messages (I can hit you Should not send mixed messages (I can hit you

but you can’t hit othersbut you can’t hit others• Negative punishment is the most effectiveNegative punishment is the most effective


Alternatives to Punishment• Extinction• Reinforcing preferred activities

–The Premack Principle

• Prompting and shaping


Operant and Classical Conditioning Compared

• Classical Conditioning involves the association of two stimuli (UCS + CS) before the response or behavior

• It is largely a response to past stimulation and ends with the response

• Operant Conditioning involves a reinforcing (reward) or punishing stimulus after a response or behavior

• Is directed at attaining some future reinforcement or avoiding punishment and requires a stimulus that follows the response

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Big Bang Theory. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Learning A process...

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