Auto Racing Articles: Learning

Learning.
Article courtesy of http://RacingSecrets.com

Learning is a semi-permanent change in behavior that results from experience, three sub-topics have been derived from learning; classical, operant and observational learning.

Classical learning
A neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response.' Ivan Pavlov's dogs prove this statement of classical conditioning. When he opened the kennel door to feed them, a bell would ring, and then the dogs would get fed. The dogs soon realized the bell ringing meant the door would open, and someone would enter with food. Thus they would begin to salivate at the sound of the bell.

This is also refered to as conditioning.

In this situation, the food is the unconditioned stimulus which causes an unconditioned salivating response in the dogs. Therefore as the dogs associate the conditioned stimulus (the bell) with their unconditioned response, their salivating becomes the conditioned response from the conditioned stimulus.

We will refer to the conditioned response, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus as CR, UR, CS and US respectively. The interval from the CS to the US is know as the contiguity of the association, while contingency refers to the predictability of the CR. Extinction is the process when in the absence of the CS, the UR fades away. However re-association with return of the CS happens quickly.

The applications of classical conditioning are far reaching and varied. Taste aversions result from associations, as well as phobias and sexual fetishes. Treatment for these types of disfunctions consists of systematic desensitization, associating deep relaxation with anxiety producing situations. Also, its reciprocal is used in treatment to create aversions, for example, reversing a bad habit.

Operant learning
It can be said that behavior is affected by its consequences, this is the basic principal of operant learning. Also see B. F. Skinner. Four actions of behavior modification are relevant here, positive/negative reinforcement, and positive/negative punishment.

Positive Reinforcement
To give something positive in reward for a certain behavior, to add something positive to the subject.
Negative Reinforcement
To remove something harmful in reward for a certain behavior.
Positive Punishment
To add something negative to the situation, i.e. grounding a child.
Negative Punishment
To remove something positive, i.e. priveladges.

Issues concerning operant conditioning include timing, and schedules of reinforcement.

Timing
The greater the interval between the behavior and the reinforcement/punishment correlates to the effect the actions have on the likelihood of the behavior.

Fixed interval
Reinforcement after a fixed amount of time after the behavior.
Variable interval
The same as above, but with a variable amount of time.

* Immediate, small reinforcement vs delayed stronger punishment;
* i.e. Cigarette smoking

* Immediate, small reinforcement vs delayed stronger reinforcement;
* i.e. Saving money

* Immediate weak punishment vs delayed stronger punishment;
* i.e. Visiting the dentist

* Immediate punishment vs delayed reinforcement;
* i.e. Working out at a gym

Schedules of Reinforcement
The amount of correct behaviors needed before reinforcement occurs.

Fixed ratio
Reinforcement occurs after a specified amount of behaviors.
Variable ration
Same as above with a variable amount of behaviors.

Applications of operant conditioning stretch from elementary school's system of reinforcement/punishment to training emergency rescue dogs.

Observational learning
Observational learning is the experience of one observing, retaining and replicating certain behaviors observed in supreriors or figures they relate to. There are four processes to observational learning;

1. Attention to the model
2. Retention of details
3. Motor reproduction
4. Opportunity

This method of learning is primarily prevalent in the younger years of development, when authority becomes important in a childs life. Also see Albert Bandura.

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This article courtesy of http://RacingSecrets.com , your racing technology resource.