EXP 3422

Conditioning and Learning

Fall 2002

Contact Information
Description and Objectives
About your Instructor
Grading
Other Information

Schedule and Links to Slides and Study Guides

Professor: Richard L. Hyson, Ph.D.

Class time and place: M, W, F 12:20-1:10, 105 KRB

Office Hours: Immediately after each class or by appointment.

Office: 304 PSY

Phone: 4-5824

e-mail:

Text:Learning: Behavior and Cognition; 3rd edition .

Author: D. A. Lieberman

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Learning continues to be a fundamental issue in psychology. This course will examine the "simple" learning phenomena of habituation, Pavlovian conditioning and instrumental conditioning. The emphasis of this course is on process, not application. We will emphasize the general principles or rules governing these conditioning phenomena and the mechanisms (both in theoretical and neurobiological terms) thought to underlie these phenomena.

The following objectives are relevant to any course about the science of psychology:

1. Acquire a fund of knowledge

2. Appreciate the historical perspective

3. Understand and evaluate experimental design

4. Obtain hands-on experience

5. Exercise and develop critical thinking skills

Through the combination of the lecture and laboratory courses all of these goals will be achieved. In the lecture course we will examine both historical and current theoretical approaches to learning phenomena and critically evaluate the experimental data supporting or challenging these theories. The laboratory section of the course will allow you to apply this knowledge and gain hands-on experience with conditioning techniques.

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I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1985. At that time, my research centered on learning and motivation in adults and the development of learning, memory, and perception. Since 1985 my research has focused primarily on neurobiological aspects of development. For example, one major area of research in my laboratory examines how early sensory experience influences brain development. By virtue of these broad research interests, I hope to be able to provide you with a balanced perspective incorporating both behavioral and neurobiological approaches to the study of learning.

For additional information about our current research, see our laboratory web site .

Grades will be based on exam scores. There will be 5 exams. These exams will contain primarily multiple choice questions but will also have some essays, fill-in, etc. Each exam will cover the material presented during that section of the course and the material in the assigned readings for that section. The vast majority of the exam will be based on lecture material; attend every class and take good notes. You should be cautioned that although the exams are not cumulative, an understanding of the material is progressive . "Blowing off" one section will likely make the next section twice as hard. Each exam will count equally towards the determination of your final grade. A percentage grading system will be followed such that:

Make-up policy: If you miss one of the first five exams due to a documented emergency, a make-up exam may be taken at the end of the semester. It is your responsibility to contact me and provide documentation as soon as possible. These exams may be taken either at a mutually acceptable time during the last week of the semester, or during the scheduled make-up-exam time during Finals Week. If documentation of emergency is not provided, a score of zero will be given on that exam.

Cheating: By now, all students should be aware of the Academic Honor Code. Obviously, everyone must do their own work and cheating will not be tolerated. But I know that this never happens because people realize that a few points on an exam are not worth the price of giving up your dignity.

Expectations and recommendations. It is expected that each student will gain an understanding of the covered material. It is strongly recommended that you attend every class and that you prepare for the class by reading the assigned chapters. Before each exam I will distribute a study guide containing essay questions. If you are able to answer these questions, as well as the questions in the back of each chapter, you should be able to do well on the exams. I am willing to hold an optional review session before each exam if there is sufficient demand.

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Extra credit: For reasons of fairness, there will be no individualized extra credit.

Extra help: Any student having difficulty with the course material is encouraged to contact me for extra assistance. As noted above, I will reserve time to meet with students after every class. Please contact me to set up a more convenient time if necessary.

Inquiring minds: I am available at any time to recommend additional resources to any student wishing to explore this material more in depth.

Disabilities: Any student requiring special assistance due to disability should contact me as soon as possible so that we can make any necessary arrangements.

Religious Observance: Please check your calendars against the course syllabus. Any student having a conflict in the exam schedule, or feeling that they will be disadvantaged by missing a class due to religious observance, should contact me as soon as possible so that we can make any necessary arrangements.