Question

list Examples of limitation of classical learning theory

Answer 1

Limitations of Classical Conditioning

o      All classically conditioned responses must involve a reflex

o      Therefore, what can be learned is limited

o      So, how do animals and humans learns things that are not associated with reflexes?

Thorndike

E. Thorndike (1874-1949)

�         Law of Effect

�         Thorndike�s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely

Early Operant Conditioning

o     E.L. Thorndike (1898)

o     Puzzle boxes and cats

Operant Conditioning

�         B.F. Skinner (1904-1990)

�        elaborated Thorndike�s Law of Effect

�        developed behavioral technology

Operant Chamber

�         Skinner Box

�         chamber with a bar or key that an animal manipulates to obtain a food or water reinforcer

�         contains devices to record responses

Operant Conditioning

�         Reinforcer

�        any event that strengthens or increases the rate of the behavior it follows

�        It can be either positive (pleasurable) or

�        Negative (unpleasureable)

Operant Conditioning

What are some common examples?

o      Friend increasingly talks about sports (increase in a positive reinforcer� attention)

o      Parent increasingly yells or hits child (decrease in a negative reinforcer�tantrum)

o      Keep playing slot machine after winning some money (increase after positive--$)

o      Husband increases housework after continually being rewarded by wife�.

Principles of Reinforcement

�         Primary Reinforcer

�         innately reinforcing stimulus

�         i.e., satisfies a biological need

�         Conditioned or Secondary Reinforcer

�         stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with primary reinforcer

For example:� money

Chaining

o      Can connect or chain secondary reinforcers together

n       If I work hard I get credit points which lead to money which lead to pleasure

n       If the rat pulls a string it lowers a bar which when pressed leads to food

Shaping

�        operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer approximations of a desired goal

Demonstration of Shaping

o      Two volunteers

B.F. Skinner