What Adaptive Purpose does Pavlovian Learning Serve - Essay Example

"What adaptive purpose does Pavlovian learning serve? Explain how contemporary cognitive theories suggest a richer dimension to Pavlovian learning than do reflexive models" Learning is comparatively enduring alteration in actions that is the product of experience. The three chief categories of learning as described by behavioral psychology comprise- 1. Classical conditioning is a kind of learning process where correlation is established between neutral stimulus as well as stimulus that elicits the reaction. E.g.

Pavlov's experiment. 2. Operant conditioning is a kind of learning process where the prospects of learning is directly proportional to the augmentation and reduction of the process based on reinforcement or punishment. E.g. Studies carried out by Edward Thorndike and later by B. F. Skinner. 3. Observational learning is a kind of learning that is promoted either by means of observation or by emulating others. The components of this learning pattern encompass concentration, motor dexterities, inspiration and remembrance (Learning Study Guide).

Pavlovian conditioning encompasses an understanding about conditioned stimuli (CS) a neutral stimulus when combined with unconditioned stimulus serve as an elicitation for conditioned rejoinder. On the other hand unconditioned stimulus (US) occurs naturally and is uninformed or unbiased (What is an Unconditioned Stimulus?). The most vital component of the learning comprise alterations that an organism witnesses to the US and not to CS as unconditioned stimulus is a reflex phenomenon and is associated with the biology, but learning phenomenon involves the modulation from US to CS, attributed to behavioural as well as physiological conditions (Domjan, 2005).

Human nature varies throughout the globe and so d the learning and perception of the people, but amalgamation of four tasks could display numerous qualitatively distinct learning systems- 1. rule-based tasks- individuals possessing explicit reasoning abilities due to frontal-striatal circuits and possess good working recall or memory and administrative concentration 2. information-integration tasks- leaning success in this procedure could be attained through the protocol or procedural, step by step learning, it is involved in nature and timing of feedback. 3. prototype distortion tasks- what one perceives could be involved in learning. 4. weather prediction task- involves application of what is being learnt(Ashby, 2005).

Learning is conditioning that involves memory, anxiety and understanding; conditioning activates adaptive behavior that prepares an individual for happenings and enable one to apply past experiences to overcome the misleading notions. Animals, from single cell to multicellular display the conditioning behavior. Classical conditioning or Pavlov's conditioning is a kind or reward oriented conditioning. Pavlov's conditioning involved a stimulus, i.e. the ringing of the bell which is correlated with the elicitation of salivation process as the dogs anticipated reception of food.

In case of Pavlov's experiment the reflexes of the animal works and are not related with the actions of the animal i.e. they are not controlled by the brain. On the contrary, operant conditioning advocates about the control over the occurrence of an event and therefore food and distress are dependent on animal's activities. The two theories differ in their pursuits in eliciting behavior. In case of operant conditioning, the selection criterion encompasses- a) behavior-enhancing (reinforce) and behavior-suppressing (punishment).

In operant conditioning a treat is granted for re-enforced response as it strengthens the desired behavior while punishment weakens the behavior and therefore it is eliminated. Any activity that affects the performance or behavior of an individual is designated as behavior or mental process. Mental process encompasses different cognitive operations which are essential in learning process, procuring knowledge, reasoning, memory or learning skills, perception and outlook, attention and ability to be alert and attentive, language skills and communication, thoughts and aptitude, emotions, decision making and problem solving skills.

Cognitive understanding deals with the thoughts of the individual. One of the key features of psychology includes cognitive studies (What is cognitive psychology?). Although conditioning plays a vital role in initiating adaptive behavior, learning transpires through dealings with the surroundings, moreover, environment figures behavior of the individual and hence mental states encompassing sensations and contemplations cannot be considered as a part of learning. Pavlov's classical conditioning provides an understanding towards a connecting link between environment stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus, as well as displays an unbiased indicator towards naturally happening impulse.

In the Pavlov's experiment, the unbiased indicator was the sound of the bell while naturally happening impulse was the salivation process which was in rejoinder to food. Association of these two process resulted in the salivation with the making of sound. Aversion to a particular taste is observed when eating a particular food stuff is followed by sickness (What is a Conditioned taste Aversion?). Learning onsets from the behaviorist school while memory or cognitive thoughts emerge from cognitive school (Classical conditioning).

In the present scenario it becomes imperative to understand the connectivity between US and CS as it is the most essential characteristic feature of the psychologist; to understand the attitude as well as propensity of the individual. As an individual matures, perception and understanding about the circumstances and situations also augments. Some may have the intellect to understand, others learn about the nature and circumstances, react to an event in the varied manner. In the present scenario where competition is hard-hitting and individuals are chip in a career race, an approach is desired where judgmental move toward attitude could be worked well.

One has to be critical in displaying cognitive behavior towards enhanced memory power, quick and appropriate decision making temperament, organization of educational program to boost learning power. Darwin's theory is applicable in this aspect too "Survival of the fittest". Considering the critical issue it is essential to understand various theories of conditioning- according to the Rescorla-Wagner model, learning is proportional to the surprising approach of the US, while the Mackintosh and Pearce-Hall models suggest that learning is at all times is inclined by the animal’s concentration to the CS, failing to do so will hamper the process of learning.

Hence during the process of learning and conditioning, the animal or human may discover a connection between joints in lasting remembrance communicating to the CS and US (Theories of Conditioning). Thus, contemporary cognitive theories have richer dimension to Pavlovian learning than to reflexive models. References Ashby, F. G., Maddox, W. T. (2005). Human Category Learning. Annual Review of Psychology. 56, 149-178. Classical Conditioning. Available at http://web.mst.edu/~psyworld/classical_conditioning.htm. [Accessed on 17th October 2011].

Domjan, M. (2005). Pavlovian Conditioning: A functional Perspective. Annual Review of Psychology. 56, 179-206. Learning Study guide. Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologystudyguides/a/learning_sg.htm. [Accessed on 17th October 2011]. Theories of Conditioning. Available at http://www.sinauer.com/bouton/summary04.html. [Accessed on 17th October 2011]. What is cognitive psychology? Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/f/cogpsych.htm. [Accessed on 17th October 2011].

What is an Unconditioned Stimulus?. Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/uindex/g/unconditioned.htm. [Accessed on 17th October 2011]. What is a Conditioned Stimulus? Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/cindex/g/condstim.htm. [Accessed on 17th October 2011]. What is a Conditioned Taste Aversion? Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/cindex/g/def_contasteav.htm. [Accessed on 17th October 2011].