Biology Study Guide
Behavioral learning methods
1. Associative Learning
Definition and Overview
Classical Conditioning
Key Concepts: Stimuli & Responses
Applications: Addiction Treatment, Classroom Learning
Famous Experiments: Pavlov’s Dogs, Little Albert
Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement and Punishment
Applications: Behavioral Therapy, Education
Skinner-Box Experiment
2. Non-Associative Learning
Habituation
Definition, Characteristics, Applications
Short-term vs. Long-term Habituation
Factors Affecting Habituation
Sensitization
Definition, Characteristics, Examples
Psychological Relevance
3. Observational Learning
Definition and 4-Stage Process:
1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Motivation
1
, Biology Study Guide
1. Associative learning
Associative learning is a style of learning in which organisms learn associations between two stimuli
or a behavior and a stimulus. Associative learning can be further divided into classical and operant
conditioning
Types of associative learning:
1. Classical conditioning:
-Definition:
Classical conditioning, describes a learning process in which an unconditioned stimulus that already
elicits an involuntary response is linked to a new, neutral stimulus. The new stimulus then becomes
a conditioned stimulus and the newly learned behavior is a conditioned response.
Description:
During classical conditioning, there must first be a naturally occurring stimulus that leads to an
unconditioned response. Subsequently, with the intention of creating an association to a new,
neutral stimulus, it is now introduced during the conditioning process. At that point, the neutral
stimulus alone does not trigger a reaction. Only after repeated pairing does an association emerge
between the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus. Consequently, this neutral stimulus
becomes a conditioned stimulus, which will be mistakenly identified as the unconditioned stimulus.
Once the association is fully established, the mere representation of the conditioned stimulus
triggers a response as a conditioned response.
Applications of classical conditioning:
Classical conditioning is often applied in treating patients with certain addictions. For this purpose,
doctors can prescribe medication that causes a feeling of nausea every time a harmful substance is
taken. Hence, the user becomes conditioned to experience nausea whenever they think about
consuming this substance, making them feel no longer addicted.
Since classical conditioning primarily serves as a learning method, it can be used to improve learning,
particularly in a school environment. For instance, it may be difficult for a teacher to calm her class.
And thus, shortly before class begins, the teacher plays a short jingle. Initially it has no effect and
the students only calm down when the teacher directly asks them to do so. Yet, by repeating the
process several times, the teacher no longer has to say anything and instead the class calms down
once they hear the bell. Accordingly, they associate the short jingle with the indirect request of the
teacher to calm down.
2
Behavioral learning methods
1. Associative Learning
Definition and Overview
Classical Conditioning
Key Concepts: Stimuli & Responses
Applications: Addiction Treatment, Classroom Learning
Famous Experiments: Pavlov’s Dogs, Little Albert
Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement and Punishment
Applications: Behavioral Therapy, Education
Skinner-Box Experiment
2. Non-Associative Learning
Habituation
Definition, Characteristics, Applications
Short-term vs. Long-term Habituation
Factors Affecting Habituation
Sensitization
Definition, Characteristics, Examples
Psychological Relevance
3. Observational Learning
Definition and 4-Stage Process:
1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Motivation
1
, Biology Study Guide
1. Associative learning
Associative learning is a style of learning in which organisms learn associations between two stimuli
or a behavior and a stimulus. Associative learning can be further divided into classical and operant
conditioning
Types of associative learning:
1. Classical conditioning:
-Definition:
Classical conditioning, describes a learning process in which an unconditioned stimulus that already
elicits an involuntary response is linked to a new, neutral stimulus. The new stimulus then becomes
a conditioned stimulus and the newly learned behavior is a conditioned response.
Description:
During classical conditioning, there must first be a naturally occurring stimulus that leads to an
unconditioned response. Subsequently, with the intention of creating an association to a new,
neutral stimulus, it is now introduced during the conditioning process. At that point, the neutral
stimulus alone does not trigger a reaction. Only after repeated pairing does an association emerge
between the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus. Consequently, this neutral stimulus
becomes a conditioned stimulus, which will be mistakenly identified as the unconditioned stimulus.
Once the association is fully established, the mere representation of the conditioned stimulus
triggers a response as a conditioned response.
Applications of classical conditioning:
Classical conditioning is often applied in treating patients with certain addictions. For this purpose,
doctors can prescribe medication that causes a feeling of nausea every time a harmful substance is
taken. Hence, the user becomes conditioned to experience nausea whenever they think about
consuming this substance, making them feel no longer addicted.
Since classical conditioning primarily serves as a learning method, it can be used to improve learning,
particularly in a school environment. For instance, it may be difficult for a teacher to calm her class.
And thus, shortly before class begins, the teacher plays a short jingle. Initially it has no effect and
the students only calm down when the teacher directly asks them to do so. Yet, by repeating the
process several times, the teacher no longer has to say anything and instead the class calms down
once they hear the bell. Accordingly, they associate the short jingle with the indirect request of the
teacher to calm down.
2
