Behavioral learning occurs when a behavior or response changes as a result of experience. This process involves associative learning, in which a person learns that two events or stimuli are linked together. Behaviors become associated with their consequences.
Classical conditioning and Operant conditioning
Classical conditioning is a type of associative learning where a person's involuntary responses are shaped by the association of two or more stimuli. Ivan Pavlov, a Russian psychologist, conducted research on classical conditioning by making dogs salivate at the sound of a bell. The unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in this experiment was the food placed in front of the dog, which led to the unconditioned response (UCR) of salivating. The neutral stimulus (NS) was the ringing bell, which was repeatedly paired with the food. Eventually, the bell became the conditioned stimulus (CS) and led to the conditioned response (CR) of the dog salivating to the sound of the bell.
Another example of classical conditioning is John Watson's "Little Albert" experiment, where Albert learned a fear response through the association of a white rat and a loud noise. This experiment demonstrated the concept of generalization, where a tendency for stimuli similar to the CS can produce a CR without being paired with a UCS.
Classical Conditioning Concepts
Classical conditioning concepts include extinction, stimulus discrimination, spontaneous recovery, and habituation. Extinction is the weakening and eventual disappearance of a CR, while stimulus discrimination is the learned ability to distinguish between a stimulus and a similar one. Spontaneous recovery is the re-emergence of a previously extinguished CR, and habituation is the learned ability to not respond to frequently present environmental sensory stimuli.
Learned Taste Aversion
Learned taste aversion, also known as the Garcia effect, is a form of classical conditioning where a person develops a dislike for a particular taste or smell after associating it with an illness or negative experience. This form of conditioning differs from most cases of classical conditioning as it can occur after a single pairing of illness and food, after a long delay between UCS and CS pairing, and the illness (CR) is resistant to extinction.
Second/Higher Order Conditioning
Second/Higher order conditioning occurs when a new neutral stimulus is paired with a conditioned stimulus, leading to a weaker conditioned response. This process demonstrates the cognitive-behavioral view of classical conditioning.
Cognitive-Behavioral Views of Classical Conditioning
Critics of classical conditioning argue that it fails to account for the role of cognitive thinking processes. The cognitive-behavioral approach to classical conditioning states that behaviors are learned through past experiences, and cognitive processes affect the quality and timing of the learning process.
Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning involves associations being made between a behavior and its consequences, resulting in a change of behavior. The "Law of Effect" by Edward L. Thorndike states that behaviors will change as a result of their consequences from trial and error. Positive reinforcement encourages a behavior or increases the number of times it's performed, while negative reinforcement involves the removal of something that the subject wants.
In conclusion, behavioral learning in AP psychology encompasses classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and the cognitive-behavioral approaches to understanding how behaviors change as a result of experience. These concepts can be observed in various real-life examples and have a significant impact on human learning and behavior.
