• Unit 4: Learning

    Psychologists are concerned with how people learn from experience and create memories. During the first half of the 20th century, behaviorists focused on how animals and humans made associations between stimuli and between their own behavior and its consequences. In this unit, we draw from behaviorism to learn the basic principles of learning.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 10 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • define learning;
      • describe classical conditioning and its principles, including neutral stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, and conditioned response;
      • explain operant conditioning and its principles, including reinforcement and reinforcement schedules, punishment, and shaping; and
      • explain observational learning and modeling.

      • 4.1: What Is Learning?

        Many people use the word learning when they are really concerned about memory. For example, you may consider yourself to be learning psychology when you study these course materials. However, in psychological terminology, class content is remembered, not learned.

        • Principles of Learning Page

          Read this text, which explains and defines learning. It discusses the difference between instincts and reflexes and the three basic forms of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. Compare and contrast classical and operant conditioning. How are they alike? How do they differ? What is the difference between a reflex and a learned behavior?

      • 4.2: Classical Conditioning

        Ivan Pavlov (1849–1936), a Russian physiologist, developed classical conditioning in his work with dogs. John B. Watson (1878–1958), an American psychologist, applied the same principles to humans. Classical conditioning examines pairing a neutral stimulus to behavior or interactions.

        For example, Watson paired the presentation of a neutral stimulus like a cute animal with a loud sound that would cause a fear reaction in a young child. Through numerous paired presentations, the child will eventually become afraid of a cute animal.

        • Principles of Classical Conditioning Page

          Read this text to learn how classical conditioning occurs and the processes that affect classically conditioned associations.

          How would you respond to these questions? If the sound of your toaster popping up toast causes your mouth to water, what are the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), the conditioned stimulus (CS), and the conditioned response (CR)? Explain how the processes of stimulus generalization and stimulus discrimination are considered opposites. How does a neutral stimulus become a conditioned stimulus?

        • More on Classical Conditioning Page

          Watch this video on classical conditioning, which is important as both a behavioral phenomenon and a method to study simple associative learning.

        • Watson's Theory of Behaviourism Page

          Watch this video, which illustrates John B. Watson's study of Little Albert and how it relates to classical conditioning.

      • 4.3: Operant Conditioning

        B. F. Skinner (1904–1990), an American psychologist, developed the theories around operant conditioning. He provided concrete evidence for the benefits of rewarding behavior in order to increase the likelihood that the behavior would be repeated.

        • Principles of Operant Conditioning Page

          Read this text, which discusses the definition of operant conditioning, describes the difference between reinforcement and punishment, and introduces reinforcement schedules. Make sure you can respond to these questions. What is a Skinner box, and what is its purpose? What is the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment? What is shaping, and how would you use shaping to teach a dog to roll over?

        • Skinner's Operant Conditioning: Rewards and Punishments Page

          Watch this video to learn more about Skinner's operant conditioning: rewards and punishments.

      • 4.4: Observational Learning

        Psychologists introduced the concept of observational learning much later than classical and operant conditioning, in large part because it focused on something that the behaviorists did not want to include in their theories: Thought. Albert Bandura (1925–2021), the Canadian-American psychologist, argued that learning could occur in the absence of direct reinforcement and emphasized the importance of a learner wanting to be like the individual displaying behaviors.

        • Principles of Observational Learning Page

          Read this text to learn about observational learning, the modeling process, and the pro- and antisocial effects of observational learning.

          What is the effect of prosocial modeling and antisocial modeling? Take this scenario. Let's say Cara is 17 years old. Cara's mother and father drink alcohol every night. They tell Cara that drinking is bad and she should not do it. Cara goes to a party where beer is being served. What do you think Cara will do? Why?

        • Social Learning Theory: Bandura's Bobo Beatdown Experiments Page

          Watch this video, which explores Social Learning Theory in more detail, including Bandura's controversial experiments on childhood aggression, where he observed children who were put into a room with a Bobo doll.

      • Unit 4 Assessment

        • Unit 4 Assessment Quiz
          Receive a grade

          Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

          • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
          • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
          • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.