1. Human Learning
Topic 5.5: Motivational Mechanisms.
Cedp 324 - Ryan Sain, Ph.D. 3/30/2012
1

2. How is behavior
motivated?
 Two theories
 Associative processes
 Like Thorndike and Pavlov
 Very molecular
 Behavioral regulation
 Skinner
 Molar
 Focus on function

3. A note on notation
 Your author’s notation
S R O
Respons
Stimulus Outcome
e
 What I prefer (and what you’ll see on the test)
 I don’t like the O (it’s rather confusing)
Sd R Sr,p+/-
Respons
Stimulus Stimulus
e

4. Associative Structure
 Consistent with Thorndike and Pavlov
 Uses a S-R-S system (the three term contingency)
 But focuses on individual responses
 Focuses on the associations
S R Sr,p+/-
Respons
Stimulus Stimulus
e
 Reinforcers strengthen / punishers weaken

5. Associative Structure
 And the association:
S Sr,p+/-
Stimulus Stimulus
R
Respons
e
 Connects the environment/context to a consequence
 Expectation motivates

6. Dual processes?
 Rescorla and Solomon
 Two processes interact
 Classical and instrumental (operant)
 Classical:
Δ Emotional State
S Sr,p+/-
Stimulus Stimulus R
 Emotional states then motivate the response Respons
e
 State is determined by type of stimulus (consequence)

7. Behavioral Regulation
 Ties very closely with Skinner
 Uses a S-R-S system (the three
term contingency)
 Focuses on the third term
 Not about forming associations
 Organisms learn limits of
behavior
 Redistribute activity accordingly
 Reinforcers are actually preferred
behavior
 Eating, drinking, etc

8. Premack
 Premack’s principle
 High probability behavior will reinforce
low.
 Indicates that reinforcement is access
to a behavior
 Used with schizophrenia
 Used high probablity behavior (sitting)
to reinforce coil stripping
 Used with autism
 Echolalia reinforces some type of
training task
 Performed better than food

9. The original study
Kids
Candy Pinball
Eating Playing
Play
Eating
Pinball
Play
Sr Eating Sr
Pinball

10. Response deprivation
 Limit access to
reinforcer (preferred
activity)
 Makes the reinforcer
more valuable
 Even works with low
probability behavior
 Hold a behavior at below
baseline level
 Access to it will now be
a reinforcer

11. Behavioral Bliss
 Regulation theory predicts:
 A preferred level of responding – stable - baseline
 Engaging in TV watching
 Wheel running
 Eating, etc.
 homework
 Life isn’t all bliss
 Must balance activities
 REDISTRIBUTE responses to maximize bliss

12. More bliss
 Constraints limit our ideal level of responding
 Want more TV?
 Have to do more homework.
 Response deprivation and bliss
 Restrict TV access
 Turn it into a Sr for studying
 To return to bliss level of TV watching – you must do
more homework
 It’s all about getting to bliss