Final Project/Essay is to be handed in by 15.4.2004. All instructions are within. Good luck!

The final projects have now been checked and graded. Grades and distributions can be found here. The projects themselves (with my comments) are on their way in the mail, and will be available in the ICNC Mazkirut soon. Please check with Ruthi. As always - if there are problems, I can be contacted by email.

Papers reviewed in the course:

Some of you have expressed interest in the papers we talked about in the course (especially in the last lessons). Due to copyright issues, I cannot post these on the website, as I promised - but please email me if you are interested and I will email them to you directly.

Syllabus:

1. Introduction to the empirical psychology of learning
2. Classical conditioning (2 lessons)
3. Theoretical analysis and Models of classical conditioning
4. Instrumental conditioning (2 lessons)
5. Classical vs. Instrumental - 2 different learning mechanisms?
6. Theoretical analysis of instrumental conditioning
7. The Actor-Critic model of instrumental conditioning (1/2 lesson)
8. The cognitive approach - Tolman and Expectancy theory (1/2 lesson)
9. What is a reinforcer?
10. Extinction
11. Discrimination
12. Where and How does conditioning happen in the Brain?
13. The effects of Motivation on Behavior

Lecture Notes:

• Introduction (WORD file)
• Classical Conditioning (WORD file)
• Theoretical Analysis of Classical Conditioning (WORD file)
• Instrumental Conditioning (WORD file)
• Classical and instrumental - two different mechanisms? (WORD file)
• Theoretical Analysis of Instrumental Conditioning (WORD file)
• Spatial behavior (WORD file)
• What is a Reinforcer? (WORD file)
• Extinction (WORD file)
• Discrimination (WORD file)

• Lesson 1: Philosophical Background (PPT slide show)
• Lesson 1: Pavlovian Conditioning (PPT slide show)
• Lesson 2: Classical Conditioning (PPT slide show) - Updated according to what we learned in class
• Lesson 4: Theoretical analysis of classical conditioning (LARGE (3.5M) PPT slide show)
• Lesson 4: The Rescorla-Wagner Model (PPT slide show)
• Lesson 4: Gallistel+Gibbon - A timing based model (PPT slide show)
• Lesson 9: Tolman and Expectancy Theories (PPT slide show - see the slide notes for additional information)
• Lesson 13: Learning and the brain - who does what? (PPT slide show)
• Lesson 14: How does Motivation affect Behavior (PPT slide show)

Extra Material:

• Result graphs from experiments illustrating different conditioning phenomena (PPT slide show)
• Some Applications of classical conditioning to Humans (PPT slide show)
• Extra: The opponent-process model (PPT slide show)
• Everyday examples for negative reinforcement and schedules of reinforcement (WORD file)

Exercises and Assignments: (returned assignments are in the bottom left drawer outside the classroom)

• Assignment 1: R. Rescorla (1988) - Classical Conditioning: Its Not What You Think It Is (read until 12 Nov 2003)
• Assignment 2: Forum - Everyday examples of classical conditioning - My replies are available in the Forum.
• Assignment 3: R-W and Blocking questions (WORD file) - due (in writing) 19 Nov 2003
• Assignment 4: Sniffy the Virtual Rat Experiment (WORD file) - due (in writing) 3 Dec 2003 (Link to Sniffy)
• Assignment 5: FI question + reading (WORD file) - due (in writing - short!) 10 Dec 2003
• Assignment 6: Read Dickinson, A./Actions and habits: The Development of Behavioral Autonomy and Tolman, E.C./Cognitive maps in Rats and Men (read until 24 Dec 2003)
• Assignment 7: What is a Reinforcer quiz (WORD file) - due 7 Jan 2004 Solution
• Assignment 8: Extinction quiz (WORD file) - due 14 Jan 2004 Solution
• Assignment 9: Discrimination quiz (WORD file) - due 28 Jan 2004 Solution + Read Wickens et al. 2003 - Neural mechanisms of reward-related motor learning 

Optional Exercise 1: Classical Conditioning (WORD file) - can be handed in until 14 Jan 2004 Solution

• Optional Exercise 2: Instrumental Conditioning (WORD file) - can be handed in until 21 Jan 2004 Solution

Bibliography: (books I recommend, and use to prepare the course)

• Domjan, M. - The Principles of Learning and Behavior (2003 - 5th Edition) - This is not the course textbook, but it is the closest it gets...
• Mackintosh, N.J. - The Psychology of Animal Learning (1974) - Great book, although hard to find (out of print).
• Mackintosh, N.J. - Conditioning and Associative Learning (1983) - Shorter than the above and covers mostly theoretical aspects, not for complete beginners.
• Dickinson, A. - Contemporary Animal Learning Theory (1980) - Although this was contemporary a long time ago, it is still very good and easy to read.

• Classics in the History of Psychology - The classic papers in psychology ONLINE
• Behavioral Science Glossary - A useful glossary of many of the terms we use
• PsychWeb - Resource for psychology links
• The Psi Cafe - Resource for psychology links
• Sniffy the Virtual Rat - 20 day downloadable demo of Sniffy