Learning and Behavior, 7th Edition

LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR, Seventh Edition, looks at learning as an evolutionary mechanism. Based on the theme that learning is a biological mechanism that aids survival, the book embraces a scientific approach to behavior, but is written in clear and engaging language. Chance's book is also filled with high-interest queries and examples that support student's learning and understanding. Students love this book--and actually read it. Features and Benefits: Chance makes the points that learning is a biological mechanism (evolved modifiability) by which individuals cope with change, that changes in behavior are the products of biological and environmental events, and that the natural science approach is the best way to study behavior. Discussion on the Rescorla-Wagner model is among the clearest available today. The text emphasizes the "nature via (not versus) nurture" view and the co-dependency of ontogeny and phylogeny. A practice quiz and review questions (without answers) appear at the end of each chapter. The absence of answers prompts students to think about and discuss the questions, which may result in interesting class discussions. Front Cover 1 Title Page 3 Copyright Page 4 Brief Contents 5 CONTENTS 6 Preface 16 Note to the Student: How to Get the Most from this Book 20 1. Introduction: Learning to Change 21 Preview 21 The Constancy of Change 22 Natural Selection 24 Evolved Behavior 31 Limits of Natural Selection 39 Learning: Evolved Modifiability 41 Habituation: An Example of Learning 46 Nature vs. Nurture 47 A Final Word 50 Recommended Reading 51 Review Questions 52 Practice Quiz 52 Query Answers 53 2. The Study of Learning and Behavior 54 Preview 54 The Natural Science Approach 55 Measures of Learning 56 Sources of Data 62 Animal Research and Human Learning 69 A Final Word 73 Recommended Reading 73 Review Questions 74 Practice Quiz 74 Query Answers 75 3. Pavlovian Conditioning 76 Preview 76 Beginnings 77 Basic Procedures 79 Higher-Order Conditioning 83 Measuring Pavlovian Learning 85 Variables Affecting Pavlovian Conditioning 86 Extinction of Conditional Responses 98 Theories of Conditioning 101 A Final Word 111 Recommended Reading 112 Review Questions 112 Practice Quiz 113 Query Answers 114 4. Pavlovian Applications 115 Preview 115 Fear 116 Prejudice 122 The Paraphilias 124 Taste Aversion 128 Advertising 131 Drug Addiction 135 Health Care 140 A Final Word 142 Recommended Reading 143 Review Questions 143 Practice Quiz 144 Query Answers 145 5. Operant Learning: Reinforcement 146 Preview 146 Beginnings 147 Types of Operant Learning 151 Kinds of Reinforcers 158 Variables Affecting Operant Learning 162 Neuromechanics of Reinforcement 170 Theories of Positive Reinforcement 173 Theories of Avoidance 179 A Final Word 183 Recommended Reading 184 Review Questions 185 Practice Quiz 186 Query Answers 186 6. Reinforcement: Beyond Habit 188 Preview 188 Shaping New Behavior 189 Chaining 193 Insightful Problem Solving 196 Creativity 200 Superstition 204 Helplessness 207 A Final Word 209 Recommended Reading 210 Review Questions 210 Practice Quiz 211 Query Answers 212 7. Schedules of Reinforcement 213 Preview 213 Beginnings 214 Simple Schedules 215 Compound Schedules 232 The Partial Reinforcement Effect 234 Choice and the Matching Law 240 A Final Word 245 Recommended Reading 246 Review Questions 247 Practice Quiz 248 Query Answers 248 8. Operant Learning: Punishment 250 Preview 250 Beginnings 251 Types of Punishment 251 Variables Affecting Punishment 254 Theories of Punishment 263 Problems with Punishment 265 Alternatives to Punishment 268 A Final Word 270 Recommended Reading 271 Review Questions 271 Practice Quiz 272 Query Answers 273 9. Operant Applications 274 Preview 274 Home 275 School 277 Clinic 283 Work 291 Zoo 293 A Final Word 295 Recommended Reading 296 Review Questions 297 Practice Quiz 298 Query Answers 298 10. Observational Learning 299 Preview 299 Beginnings 300 Types of Observational Learning 301 Imitation 309 Variables Affecting Observational Learning 312 Theories of Observational Learning 319 Applications of Observational Learning 323 A Final Word 330 Recommended Reading 330 Review Questions 331 Practice Quiz 331 Query Answers 332 11. Generalization, Discrimination, and Stimulus Control 333 Preview 333 Beginnings 334 Generalization 334 Discrimination 340 Stimulus Control 348 Generalization, Discrimination, and Stimulus Control in the Analysis of Behavior 349 Theories of Generalization and Discrimination 356 A Final Word 361 Recommended Reading 362 Review Questions 362 Practice Quiz 363 Query Answers 364 12. Forgetting 365 Preview 365 Beginnings 366 Defining Forgetting 366 Measuring Forgetting 370 Sources of Forgetting 373 Applications 385 A Final Word 392 Recommended Reading 393 Review Questions 394 Practice Quiz 395 Query Answers 395 13. The Limits of Learning 396 Preview 396 Physical Characteristics 397 Nonheritability of Learned Behavior 398 Heredity and Learning Ability 399 Neurological Damage and Learning 402 Critical Periods 403 Preparedness and Learning 405 The Last Final Word 410 Recommended Reading 410 Review Questions 411 Practice Quiz 411 Query Answers 412 Glossary 413 A 413 B - C 413 D 414 E 415 F 415 G 415 H - I 416 L 416 M 416 N 417 O 417 P 417 R - S 418 T 419 U 419 V 419 W 419 References 420 A 420 B 421 C 424 D 426 E 427 F 428 G 429 H 430 I 433 J 433 K 434 L 435 M 437 N - O 440 P 441 Q - R 443 S 445 T 449 U 451 V 451 W 451 Y - Z 453 Author Index 454 Subject INDEX 462 Back Cover 467 LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR looks at evolutionary and environmental influences on learning. Chance's book is stimulating, interactive, and peppered with high-interest queries and examples yet it still provides the kind of thorough conceptual knowledge usually associated with books twice as dense and infinitely less interesting. Chance's engaging work has become a favorite of students, as it illuminates how the psychology of learning can offer insight into their own behavior.