Chapter 7: Learning

How Do We Learn?

Learning Theories
A helpful index of learning theories and models.

PsychLab Online
Simulated experiments in which the user plays the part of the experimenter. Features experiments on classical and operant conditioning created by Professor John Hay at the University of Wisconsin.

Classical Conditioning
A comprehensive overview of the history of classical conditioning. Offers illustrations and helpful links, including an MIT lecture on conditioning, and a shockwave game called “Teaching Pavlov’s Dog to Drool.”

Classical Conditioning

Ivan Pavlov
The PBS program, A Science Odyssey: People and Discoveries presents a brief biography of Ivan Pavlov.

Pavlov Bio
This biography was written at the time Pavlov received a Nobel Prize in the Physiology or Medicine category.

Classical Conditioning
After reading the explanation of Pavlov’s theory, you ought to have no problem finding examples of classical conditioning in your daily life. Do any of these apply to you?

Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning
An historical outline of operant conditioning and behaviorism.

The B. F. Skinner Foundation
This is the home page for the B. F. Skinner Foundation. Read about operant behavior, see pictures of Skinner, and hear him narrate a video clip.

Animal Training at Sea World
This site offers a special glimpse into how the Sea World staff trains their animals. They explain how animals learn and how marine mammals are trained at the park. Notice all the training is done with the application and removal of reinforcement; no physical punishment is used.

Learning by Observation

Observational Learning
Read a brief biography of Albert Bandura and learn about his theories.

E. L. Thorndike
Thorndike’s work on animal intelligence was key in shifting the focus of much thought about animal behavior and in the development of animal experimental psychology. His later work on psychometrics and educational psychology also had considerable impact. Interestingly, Thorndike raised chickens in the basement of William James house and used them to study animal intelligence.