Stephen B. Klein - Learning: Principles and Applications

This book is dedicated to my wife, Marie, and my childrenDora, David, Jason, Katherine, and Williamfor the joy they have brought to my life.

Copyright 2015 by SAGE Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Klein, Stephen B.
Learning : principles and applications / Stephen B. Klein, Mississippi State University. 7th edition.

pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4522-7194-1 (pbk.)

1. Learning. 2. Conditioned response. I. Title.
LB1060.K59 2015
370.1523dc23 2013032046

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

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Detailed Contents

Preface

Learning: Principles and Applications seeks to provide students with an up-to-date understanding of learning. Principles are described and supplemented by research studies, including classic experiments and important contemporary studies. The seventh edition continues to uphold the same uncompromising scholarship of earlier editions. Psychologists who study the nature of the learning process have uncovered many important principles about the way in which we acquire information about the structure of our environment, how we use this understanding to interact effectively with our environment, and how learning principles have been applied to solving real-world problems. As in earlier editions, the seventh edition provides thorough, current coverage of such principles and applications.

Much exciting new research in learning has occurred in the last few years. The key new discoveries include the determination of conditions that lead to a reinforcer being devalued, the development of food preferences and aversions, the influence of conditioned hunger in overeating and obesity, the recognition of processes that provide the reinforcing power of psychoactive drugs, the relevance of memory reconstruction to understanding the validity of repressed memories, the role of habituation and sensitization on the effectiveness of rewards, and the study of whether language learning occurs in primates.

As in previous editions, the text presents the important contributions of both human and nonhuman animal research, as both are crucial to our understanding of the learning process. In many instances, nonhuman animal studies and human research have yielded identical results, indicating the generality of the processes governing learning. While there are many general laws of learning, there are also instances in which species differ in their ability to learn a particular behavior. The use of different animals has shown that biological character affects learning. Furthermore, in some situations, only animal research can be ethically conducted, while in other cases, only human research can identify the learning process unique to people.

ORGANIZATION

Based on feedback from users of the previous edition of the book, the discussion of biological influences on learning has been moved to follow the discussion of appetitive and aversive conditioning. Also, principles and applications of Pavlovian conditioning, appetitive conditioning, and aversive conditioning are discussed in separate chapters. Theories of Pavlovian conditioning continue to be described in a single chapter, while the description of theoriesof appetitive and aversive conditioning is covered in a single chapter. Further, the discussion of memory storage and retrieval has been combined into a single chapter. Brief descriptions of chapter coverage follow.

gives a brief introduction to learning as well as a discussion of the origins of behavior theory. The student is first introduced to basic learning principles through a description of the research findings and theories of Thorndike, Pavlov, and Watson. The importance of their work is evident throughout the text. A brief presentation of the ethics of conducting research is also included in this chapter.

describes traditional learning theory. The theories of Hull, Spence, Guthrie, and Tolman are explored in this chapter. The student will be able to see the changes that have taken place in the understanding of the nature of the learning process during the first half of the 20th century.

describes how instinctive processes govern behavior. This chapter also describes two learning processes, habituation and sensitization, by which experience can alter instinctive behaviors. Opponent process theory, which describes the affective responses both during and following an event, also is introduced in this chapter.

details principles and applications of Pavlovian conditioning, a process that involves learning when and where events will or will not occur. This discussion first explores the factors that govern the acquisition or elimination of conditioned responses. Several procedures (higher-order conditioning, sensory preconditioning, and vicarious conditioning) in which a conditioned response can be learned with direct CS-UCS pairings can be found in this chapter. Applications of the Pavlovian conditioning principles used to establish effective conditioned responses and eliminate ineffective or impairing conditioned responses are also presented.

describes theories of Pavlovian conditioning. This chapter discusses whether the conditioned response is the same as or different from the unconditioned response. It also examines several theoretical perspectives about the nature of Pavlovian conditioning.

discusses principles and applications of appetitive conditioning, a process that involves learning how to behave in order to obtain the positive aspects (reinforcers) in the environment. The variables influencing the development or extinction of appetitive or reinforcer-seeking behavior are described in this chapter. The use of reinforcement to establish appropriate and eliminate inappropriate behavior also is described in this chapter.

discusses principles and applications of aversive conditioning, a process that involves learning how to react to the negative aspects (punishers) in the environment. The determinants of escape and avoidance behavior as well as the influence of punishment on behavior are described. Several negative consequences that result from using punishment are also explored in this chapter. The use of several punishment techniques (positive punishment, response cost, time-out from reinforcement) to suppress inappropriate behavior also is described in this chapter.