Learned behaviour: Conditioning

1. B3.2 lesson 2 Learned behaviour: Conditioning -Explain that an animals early experiences in life have a big impact on the way in which it behaves as an adult (Grade C) -Explain that animals can learn through conditioning (Grade A) -Recall that humans can make use of conditioning when training captive animals for specific purposes (Grade A)

2. Starter • Who has a pet cat or dog? • Can you describe what happens when the pet hears or sees a can of pet food being opened, or what the dog does when it sees its lead being picked up or people putting outdoor clothes on. • These are examples of conditioning, where the animal has learned to associate a stimulus (the opening of a can, the preparation of the lead) with an effect (being fed, being taken for a walk).

3. Research task • Ivan Pavlov famously studied conditioning in dogs. • J.B. Watson carried out an experiment in the 1920s on ‘Little Albert’. • Research both of these experiments and make a poster or a report about learned behaviour which summarises your findings.

4. Pavlov’s dogs

5. It is often said that in educating students you need ‘a carrot and a stick’. • Do you agree? • Write down some experiences you have had, related to both positive and negative conditioning. • Is positive or negative conditioning more effective? • What about ‘smacking’ and corporal punishment? • Do you think that punishments such as prison sentences are effective?

6. IL • Summary worksheet B3.2.2a (O:\Students\Science\Biology\Extension) • Find out about another conditioning experiment and write about it

7. Plenary • Summary worksheet B3.2.2b • Work in small groups to give an example of trial and error learning, in yourselves or in other animals. State the punishments and rewards used. Examples might include teaching a dog to sit, where the reward is petting or food treats, or a baby learning to walk.