how to train a brain – crash course psychology #11 transcript

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Who wrote the crash course episode?

This episode was written by Kathleen Yale, edited by Blake de Pastino, and our consultant is Dr. Ranjit Bhagwat.

How does punishment affect behavior?

Punishment decreases a behavior either positively, by say, giving a speeding ticket, or negatively, by taking away a driver’s license. But negative reinforcement removes the punishing event to increase a behavior. So, painkillers negatively reinforce the behavior of swallowing them by ending the headache.

What was Pavlov's influence on psychology?

Even though today we view psychology as the science of both behavior AND mental processes, Pavlov’s influence was tremendous. His research helped pave the path for more experimental rigor in behavioral research, right up to the present day. Born in 1849 in Russia, Pavlov was never much for psychology.

What is associative learning?

Animals, he found, can exhibit associative learning. That’s when a subject links certain events, behaviors, or stimuli together in the process of conditioning. This may be the most elemental, basic form of learning a brain can do. But that doesn’t mean that the processes behind conditioning are, or ever were, obvious.

What is classical conditioning?

Pavlov’s work suggested that classical conditioning -- as this kind of learning came to be known -- could be an adaptive form of learning that helps an animal survive by changing its behavior to better suit its environment. In this case, a bell means food, and food means survival. So get ready!

Is negative reinforcement the same as punishment?

It’s important to recognize here that negative reinforcement is NOT the same as punishment. Punishment decreases a behavior either positively, by say, giving a speeding ticket, or negatively, by taking away a driver’s license. But negative reinforcement removes the punishing event to increase a behavior.

Why is extinction important?

This is a process called extinction. And it is important, because that’s how real life works. Outside of a Skinner box, you’re not gonna get continuous reinforcement. All of life is a series of partial, or intermittent reinforcements, that occur only sometimes.