Rescorla–Wagner model
Okay kiddo, have you ever gone to a magic show and been amazed by how the magician knows what card you picked or how they made something disappear? Well, the rescorla-wagner model is sort of like a magic trick that helps scientists understand how animals (and people!) learn things.
You see, when we learn something new, our brains make connections between different things. Let's say you try a new fruit and it's really delicious. Your brain will remember that the fruit tasted good, and the next time you see it in the grocery store, you'll want to buy it again. The rescorla-wagner model helps explain how your brain makes these connections.
The model says that our brains have a certain amount of "learning potential" that can be divided up between different things we're trying to learn. So if you're trying to remember the names of all the planets, your brain will put some of its learning potential towards that task. But if you also want to learn how to ride a bike, your brain will have to divide up its potential between remembering the planets and riding the bike.
The rescorla-wagner model also explains how we learn better from things that surprise us. For example, if you thought the new fruit was going to taste bad, but it turned out to be delicious, your brain will remember that surprise and learn from it. Your brain will make a connection between the fruit and feeling happy about trying something new.
So, just like a magic trick, the rescorla-wagner model helps scientists understand how our brains learn new things, make connections, and remember surprises. Pretty neat, huh?
You see, when we learn something new, our brains make connections between different things. Let's say you try a new fruit and it's really delicious. Your brain will remember that the fruit tasted good, and the next time you see it in the grocery store, you'll want to buy it again. The rescorla-wagner model helps explain how your brain makes these connections.
The model says that our brains have a certain amount of "learning potential" that can be divided up between different things we're trying to learn. So if you're trying to remember the names of all the planets, your brain will put some of its learning potential towards that task. But if you also want to learn how to ride a bike, your brain will have to divide up its potential between remembering the planets and riding the bike.
The rescorla-wagner model also explains how we learn better from things that surprise us. For example, if you thought the new fruit was going to taste bad, but it turned out to be delicious, your brain will remember that surprise and learn from it. Your brain will make a connection between the fruit and feeling happy about trying something new.
So, just like a magic trick, the rescorla-wagner model helps scientists understand how our brains learn new things, make connections, and remember surprises. Pretty neat, huh?