Transcript Chapter 6

Chapter 6
Learning Part
One
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I CAN
• Identify the major terms used in the
psychological study of learning.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Behaviorists vs. Cognitive Psychologists
Behavioral
Cognitive
Learning only occurs with
behavior since we can
observe behavior
All things which organisms do
— including acting, thinking
and feeling —should be
regarded as behaviors
Forms of learning, such as
classical conditioning and
operant conditioning, that
can be described in terms of
stimulus and response
The behavioral view is too
limiting… one must consider
mental processes in learning
that cannot be seen
Includes processes such as
memory, association,
concept formation, language,
attention, perception, action,
problem solving and mental
imagery
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Instinct Behavior
• Innate behaviors ... not
greatly influenced by
experience
Without learning we would
have to depend upon
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reflexes and instincts
Habituation
A simple form of learning
• Learning NOT to respond to a stimulus
that is repeated.
Ignoring traffic
noise if you live
on a busy street
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• Habituation is
important in
filtering the large
amounts of
information
received from the
environment.
Prairie dogs give alarm calls when
mammals, large birds, or snakes approach.
When prairie dog towns are located near
trails used by humans, giving alarm calls
every time a person walks by is a waste of
time and energy for the group.
• By habituating to
less important
signals, an animal
can focus on the
most important
features of its
environment
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Mere Exposure Effect
• A learned preference for stimuli to which we have
been previously exposed… even if they were
unpleasant
• The more often a person is seen by someone, the
more pleasing and likeable that person appears to
be.
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Humans prefer stimuli to which they have been previously exposed to
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Complex Forms of Learning
1. Classical Conditioning
Connections between TWO stimuli
Example: Associating the 11:52 am bell with lunch
BEHAVIORS ARE INVOLUNTARY
2. Operant Conditioning
Connect actions with rewards and
punishment
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Example: Training a dog to climb trees
CAN I?
• Identify the major terms used in the
psychological study of learning.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007