Essentials of Psychology
First Edition
Learning Objectives
Define and explain the nature of nonassociative learning.
- Explain what fixed action patterns are, and identify some examples.
- Relate some examples of fixed action patterns, and discuss whether humans display them.
- Define habituation, and explain how it is relevant to human behavior.
Explain what Pavlov learned from his experiments with salivating dogs.
- Describe how Pavlov’s work on classical conditioning influenced how we understand learning.
- Describe how classical conditioning works and its relevance to human behavior.
- Discuss whether it is possible to condition new fears or preferences and whether bodily functions can be conditioned similarly.
Distinguish between operant conditioning and classical conditioning.
- Describe the principles of operant conditioning and how this type of conditioning is applied today.
- Explain the principles of reinforcement and punishment and distinguish between the two.
- Discuss how behaviorists explain the persistence of maladaptive behaviors like gambling.
- Identify the biological and cognitive perspectives on operant conditioning.
Summarize the process of observational learning and how this type of learning is applied today.
- Define observational learning.
- Discuss whether learning by imitation is a uniquely human form of learning.
- Identify the kinds of behaviors that are learned by observation, and explain how the process works.