Psy 360: Learning and Conditioning
Fall 2021
T & TH 9:35-10:50
DEG 406
Final Exam (Test #3)
WEDNESDAY, DEC 8th 3:10 PM – 5:10 PM
Course Links
Welcome to Psychology 360
In this course you will encounter firsthand the basic theories and applications in learning and conditioning. You will be introduced to the historical underpinnings of modern theories on learning and conditioning, as well as important applications demonstrating how knowledge of these concepts and theories help both humans and animals in our daily lives.
As a result of this class you should develop an understanding of the roles that consequences and the scheduling of consequences on acquisition, maintenance and structure play in the behavior of human and nonhuman organisms. The course emphasizes both the mechanisms and theories surrounding how consequences select and shape behavior, with an emphasis on methodology, measurement and quantification of behavior as a means of explaining underlying mechanisms.
This course is structured so that you will find we move from a basic introduction to historical theories of classical and operant conditioning to the cognitive and biological aspects of learned and conditioned behavior. We will discuss applications of these theories throughout the course, as well as discuss ethical issues surrounding learning and conditioning techniques for both human and animal behavior. Both lecture and the textbook play an integral guide for you in this course. The book includes a study guide as the second third of the book. Some assignments will utilize the study guide resource, while others may involve reading an original source provided to you online.
PLEASE keep this syllabus; it contains reading assignments, test dates
Dr. Farmer-Dougan’s Office Hours:
My office is now in DeGarmo….DEG 460
Office phone is 438-4554;
Office hours are: Wed. 10-12 or appointment; Zoom appointments are always welcome…just ask!
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Goals for the Psy 360.01: Learning and Conditioning: As a result of completing the course, the student will be able to:
- Define and discuss current issues in learning, habituation, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and comparative cognition.
- ·Outline the historical developments in learning and conditioning.
- ·Define elicited versus emitted behavior.
- ·Compare and contrast habituation and sensitization.
- ·Define the major terminology for classical conditioning and describe the classical conditioning paradigm.
- ·Outline the parameters critical to classical conditioning.
- ·Compare and contrast the mechanisms of CSs and USs, and what makes an effective CS.
- ·Define the major terminology for operant conditioning and describe the operant conditioning paradigm.
- ·Outline the parameters critical to operant conditioning.
- ·Distinguish the various procedures and schedules of reinforcement used in operant conditioning.
- ·Explain the matching law, behavioral regulation and discuss the concept of self-control.
- ·Describe and discuss regulatory and motivational mechanisms involved in operant conditioning.
- ·Describe procedures used to measure stimulus control, and explain the learning factors critical to developing stimulus control.
- ·Define extinction, and discuss the various theories of extinction.
- ·Distinguish between avoidance and punishment
- ·Discuss the ethical considerations inherent in avoidance and punishment
- ·Recognize the similarities and differences in learning processes across species of animals and humans.
- ·Address contemporary social issues contained within the analysis of behavior in experimental and applied situations.
- ·Become familiar with the ethics involved in research with animal subjects and the legal and moral responsibilities of those working with nonhuman subjects.
Required Text:
The text used in this class is The Principles of Learning and Behavior
By Michael P. Domjan, 7th edition.It is available at the university bookstores as well as at Amazon.com and other online bookstores. The book is required and it is highly recommend that you read it. Homework will be assigned using the book.
Class activities and Grading
Lectures:
Lectures are Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is important that you attend each class unless illness, emergency or graduate school/job interviews conflict. Obviously, if you are in marching band, an athlete, or on an ISU team, you are excused. Please give me your schedule early in the semester so I can anticipate when you will be gone and have make-up assignments ready for you.
Power points for each lecture will be made available the night before the course. Please be advised that I may change these slightly as I am reviewing for lecture right before class and be prepared to adapt. Printing and reading the Power Points are not sufficient for understanding the information in lieu of class attendance. If that were true, I would email them all to you and go home…..but, I want you to learn this material. It is important! So, come to class!
It is best if you read the reading assignment BEFORE the lecture. This helps with spelling terminology or understanding experimental procedures. Surprisingly, the area of learning and conditioning is quite jargon-ridden. You will be lost if you do not keep up on the reading.
I have provided a day-by-day outline of lecture topics and assigned readings. Please not that this is subject to change, and watch the website and listen for announcements in class regarding any changes.
Tests
There will be three (3) tests given in this class, approximately every 5 weeks (and #1what kind of schedule is this and #2 What is the reinforcer for you?). Tests will involve some multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank or matching, but essay responses will be highly emphasized. Be prepared!
Class Assignments
Class assignments (both in and out of class) will provide a maximum of 100 points. You must be present in class to receive credit for an in-class assignment. Out of class assignments will be due at the next class period. Class assignments will be unannounced and interspersed throughout the semester (and #3 what schedule might this be? and #4 Why might I use this kind of schedule?).
Extra Credit:
A maximum of 5% extra credit may be earned by completing research article summary reviews on articles related to the topics covered in class (that is, the articles must be about learning topics that are identified in the syllabus). Each article summary is worth a total of 5 points. You may complete a total of 5 artical summary reviews, for a maximum of 25 points. ( #5 Why would I want you to earn extra credit by reading articles related to course content?).
Final Grades:
Grades will be based on the following:
| Tests (100 points each)…………………………………………………………… | 300 points |
| Class assignments ………………………………………………………………….. | 100 points |
| Total points …………………………………………………………………………….. | 400 points |
Final grades will be point based. Grades will be assigned for points earned as follows:
A: 368-400 points
B: 336-367.99 points
C: 280-335.99 points
D: 200-279.99 points
F: 199.99 points or below
(and #6 What kind of reinforcer are points and grades?)
ISU policies and information:
CDC Guidelines and ISU COVID requirements
The CDC provides updated COVID-related guidelines as the science becomes clearer and humans shift their behavior and responses to COVID. ISU monitors and evaluates these guidelines and provides university wide COVID requirements, which may change throughout the semester. You are expected to adhere to these guidelines and requirements. Failure to do so may result in a disposition concern due to an inability to respect the health and safety of your instructor and classmates. For example, at the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester, all ISU faculty, staff, and students are required to wear masks indoors. However, this guidance may shift. Please be flexible and patient as we continue to collectively care for one another and navigate unknown developments with the virus.
ISU continues to provide University-wide COVID-requirements based on the Center for Disease Control’s updated guidelines and State of Illinois requirements. While these requirements may be modified throughout our semester, we (Students, Faculty and Staff) are expected to follow them. Please know I will implement these expectations throughout our semester, to keep us as healthy as possible. As you will learn, an educator has many responsibilities beyond teaching their subject matter. A teacher’s first responsibility is to protect their students. I view this as my primary responsibility this semester. If a Psychology major decides to not follow University COVID guidelines in my class, I will submit a Disposition Concerns Assessment (Unresolvable) to The Lauby Teacher Education Center. Please, let’s work together to have the in-person/on campus semester we have all been longing to have.
Academic Dishonesty
Any cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating or plagiarism will result in an F in the course and referral to the Student Code Enforcement Review Board (SCERB) for disciplinary action.
Cheating INCLUDES (but is not limited to): plagiarism of both published and unpublished written work, having another individual take or assist you with an online exam, taking an exam for or assisting another individual with an online quiz, performing or completing a class assignment or quiz for another individual or having another individual perform or complete a class assignment or quiz for you. Cheating is thus defined generally as representing work that is NOT your own as your work or allowing your work to be represented as another’s’ so that individual receives academic credit.
Violators of this policy will receive a failing grade on that assignment or quiz, a possible failing grade for the course, and referral to the department chair and the SCERB for disciplinary action.
(#7 What kind of consequence is given for cheating; and #8 Will this eliminate or just reduce cheating and why?).
Diversity
Illinois State University, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding affirmative action, nondiscrimination, and anti-harassment. Illinois State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, order of protection, gender identity and expression, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, unfavorable military discharge, or status as a veteran in employment, educational programs and activities, or admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed by contacting the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access by email at EqualOpportunity@IllinoisState.edu, by calling (309) 438-3383, or by mailing to the office at Illinois State University, Campus Box 1280, Normal, IL 61790.
Special Educational Accommodations.
If you have a disability, if English is your second language, or need other special considerations, please see me as soon as possible (that’s before the first test!) to work out any special arrangements that might be needed. If you fail a test, please see me as soon as possible. I cannot help you if you do not contact me for help!
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu. Other useful information about accessibility and working with Student Access and Accommodation Service can be found at http://studentaccess.illinoisstate.edu/faculty_staff/academic/.
Weekly Schedule
Outlined below are the reading assignments and lecture topics by lecture day. Please note that these are subject to change. Watch the website and listen for class announcements regarding changes. You will be held responsible for any changes to due dates or reading assignments.
Final Exam (Test #3)
WEDNESDAY, DEC 8th 3:10 PM – 5:10 PM