Cognitive Learning.
A. S-S learning. A "cousin" to S-R and R-S learning
1. Sensory Pre-conditioning (Pavlov)
-
Phase One: Pair two neutral stimuli
many times (Bell, Light)
-
Phase Two: Condition Bell as a CS for Food
(US)
-
Phase Three: Test the Light. Find that Light
is a CS too!!
-
Conclusion: Bell and Light were Associated in
Phase One.
2. Observational learning of fear.
-
Research of Susan Mineka with Rhesus Monkeys.
-
Monkeys raised in the wild (W) are afraid of snakes and toy
snakes.
-
Monkeys raised in captivity (C) are NOT afraid of snakes
or toy snakes.
-
But. If a C Monkey sees/hears a W Monkey shrieking
in fear at sight of snake, the C Monkey BECOMES afraid of snakes and toy
snakes.
-
This fear shows generalization and discrimination just as
for S-R and R-S conditioning.
-
This learning occurs in one trial -- very rapid.
-
The learned fear changes many behaviors -- not just an S-R.
For humans, children's strong fears are often learned
by observing adults being afraid (e.g., thunder, snakes, dogs).
B. Vicarious Reinforcement of operant behavior (Imitating
a Model)
-
In Japan, monkeys in one zoo learned to wash kernels of grain
in water to get the sand off. This was started by one (old) monkey
and soon the others were doing it too...
-
English titmouse birds in the 1950's learned to peck through
milk bottle tops and get the cream. This started in one small place
and soon spread through a large part of England. And the next generation
continued it!
-
Children learn how to play... how to be grown up...
-
Bandura's studies of Imitation.
-
Children see a film of a grown-up playing with a Bobo Doll.
-
(Bobo Doll: a big rolly polly doll. If you HIT it,
it falls over and rolls back up at you. If you HIT it with the right
pace, you can keep it bouncing back at you).
-
If children see an adult hitting, they will hit too.
-
If the adult is reinforced for hitting, they will hit even
more.
-
But, if the adult is punished for hitting, they will hit
less.
-
And, a respected model is more influential than a low prestige
model.
-
Notice that Imitation is a lot like Shaping -- a way to make
the behavior happen the first time. You might "act like Mike" because
you have seen Mike do something. BUT, practice and reinforcement
are still required to strengthen your performance.
-
Imitation is, however, one of the most common ways for humans
to begin learning.
C. Learning Self-control (By-passing an immediate temptation
to achieve a more highly valued, delayed outcome) when you face up to a problem.
- Specify the Goal (Target Behavior)
- Keep Track of Antecedents, Behaviors, Outcomes (Baseline)
- Arrange New Situations and Outcomes (Be Realistic)
- Carry it out, Evaluate it, Adjust it...