Chapter 8        Learning         (CR6, CR15, CR16)

Chapter 8 Objectives:

1. Discuss the nature and importance of learning, and describe how behaviorism approached the study of learning.

2. Describe the general process of classical conditioning as demonstrated by Pavlov’s experiments.

3. Explain the processes of acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, and discrimination.

4. Discuss the importance of cognitive processes and biological constraints in classical conditioning.

5. Explain the importance of Pavlov’s work and describe how it might apply to an understanding of human health and well-being.

6. Describe the process of operant conditioning, including the procedure of shaping, as demonstrated by Skinner’s experiments.

7. Identify the different types of reinforcers and describe major schedules of partial reinforcement.

8. Discuss the effects of punishment on behavior.

9. Discuss the importance of cognitive processes and biological predispositions in operant conditioning.

10. Explain why Skinner’s ideas were controversial, and describe some major applications of operant conditioning.

11. Describe the process of observational learning as demonstrated by Bandura’s experiments, and discuss the impact of antisocial and prosocial modeling.