EAST AP Psychology
Unit 5: Learning (Behaviorism)
Essential Task 5-1: Distinguish general
differences between principles of classical
conditioning, operant conditioning, and
observational learning.
Learning
The process by which experience or practice results in a relatively
permanent change in behavior or potential behavior
We are
here
Social
Classical Operant Cognitive
Conditioning Conditioning Learning
The type of learning in
which a response
The type of learning in
which behaviors are
Theory
naturally elicited by one The type of learning in
emitted to earn rewards
stimulus becomes to be which behaviors are
or avoid punishments
elicited by a different learned by observing a
formally neutral stimulus model
Pavlov and Watson B.F. Skinner Albert Bandura
Reinforcement and Modeling and Vicarious
UCS, UCR, CS, CR
Punishment Learning
Essential
Outline
Task 5-1:
• 3 Types of Learning
– Classical Conditioning
• Definition
• Key Terms
• Key Psychologists
– Operate Conditioning
• Definition
• Key Terms
• Key Psychologists
– Social Cognitive Learning Theory
• Definition
• Key Terms
• Key Psychologists
Classical Conditioning
• Book definition: The type of learning in
which a response naturally elicited by one
stimulus becomes to be elicited by a
different formally neutral stimulus.
• Working definition:
– Type of learning that happens TO someone
– Person learns to respond to a stimulus.
– Previously the stimulus meant nothing.
– Now it means something IS ABOUT TO
HAPPEN.
Outline
Examples of Classical Conditioning
Phobias
After the attacks, cats become a
warning stimulus for pain causing fear
when the child sees cats.
After this botched photo, 6 ft bunny
becomes warning stimulus for
someone trying to capture you.
Examples of Classical Conditioning
Taste Aversion
After throwing up a food, it
becomes a warning stimulus
for getting sick.
Examples of Classical Conditioning
Using Sex to Sell
Advertisers pair their product with sexual
imagery hoping that the product will
become a ‘promising stimulus’ for sexual
arousal. Hopefully this connection makes
you grab their product off the self .
Examples of Classical Conditioning
Classical Conditioning Key Terms
Book Definitions
• Unconditioned Stimulus (US) – A stimulus that invariably
causes an organism to responds in a specific way
• Unconditioned Response (UR) – A response that takes
place in an organisms whenever an unconditioned
stimulus occurs
• Conditioned Stimulus (CS) – An originally neutral stimulus
that is paired with an unconditioned stimulus an
eventually produces the desired response in an organism
when presented alone.
• Conditioned Response (CR) – After conditioning, the
response an organism produces when only a conditioned
stimulus is presented.
Key Psychologists
• Ivan Pavlov
Russian physiologist
known primarily for
his work in classical
conditioning.
Key Psychologists
• John B. Watson
Operant Conditioning
• Book definition: The type of learning in
which behaviors are emitted to earn
rewards or avoid punishments
• Working definition:
– Type of learning that happens BECAUSE
SOMEONE OPERATES ON THE ENVIRONMENT
– You learn to do things to earn rewards and to
avoid punishment
Examples of operant conditioning
Working
You go to work to
get rewarded by a
paycheck
Examples of operant conditioning
Coming
home by
curfew
You come home by
curfew to avoid
getting yelled at.
Examples of operant conditioning
Superstitious
Behavior
You do things you know
have no real impact on
reality because that one
time you did it, the team
won.
Examples of operant conditioning
Going to
school.
You take
challenging courses,
do lots of work so
that you can. . . ?
Key Terms in Operant Conditioning
• Reinforcer
– A stimulus or event that follows a
behavior and makes that behavior more
likely to occur again
– Two types (positive and negative)
• Punisher
– A stimulus or event that follows a
behavior and makes that behavior less
likely to occur again
Key Psychologist
• B.F. Skinner
Social Cognitive Learning Theory
• Book definition: The type of learning in
which behaviors are learned by
observing a model
• Working definition:
– Type of learning that happens just by
watching.
Outline
Examples of Social Cognitive
Learning Theory
Video Games
By watching hours of people shoot
each other, gamers learn more
aggressive behaviors.
Examples of Social Cognitive
Learning Theory
Gender Roles
By watching parents and society,
we learn our gender roles.