Behaviorism and Classical Conditioning

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of reinforcement in behavior learning?

To eliminate all behavior

To make behavior less frequent

To punish unwanted behavior

To increase desired behavior (correct)

Which of the following best describes positive reinforcement?

Ignoring a child's good behavior

Taking away privileges to punish a child

Adding a reward to strengthen a response (correct)

Removing a toy to decrease unwanted behavior

What is an example of negative punishment?

Taking away a child's favorite toy (correct)

Giving a speeding ticket for going too fast

Scolding a teenager for breaking curfew

Giving a child a timeout for misbehavior

In operant conditioning, what does 'shaping' refer to?

Teaching complex behaviors through successive approximations Signup and view all the answers

How does a primary reinforcer differ from a conditioned reinforcer?

It does not require any learning to be effective Signup and view all the answers

What does partial or intermittent reinforcement involve?

Reinforcing behavior only some of the time Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of extinction in conditioning?

To stop the conditioning effect by ceasing reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What does positive punishment do in behavior modification?

It introduces a negative consequence to decrease behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of behaviorism?

Measurable, observable behavior Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what does the unconditioned stimulus elicit?

An involuntary response Signup and view all the answers

What was Pavlov's original research focused on?

Digestion in dogs Signup and view all the answers

Which phase in classical conditioning involves the association of unconditioned and neutral stimuli?

Acquisition phase Signup and view all the answers

What type of behavior does operant conditioning primarily deal with?

Voluntary behavior Signup and view all the answers

John B. Watson's famous experiment with Little Albert involved conditioning him to fear which stimulus?

A white rat Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of classical conditioning?

It involves linking stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What did B.F. Skinner propose about children's behavior in relation to operant conditioning?

They seek rewards and avoid punishment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Behaviorism

Focuses on measurable, observable behavior
Behavior is controlled by the environment (external)
Learning (conditioning) occurs when behavior changes
The learner is passive and responds to environmental stimuli

Classical Conditioning

Involves associating or pairing stimuli with involuntary behavior
Ivan Pavlov (1897) conducted research on the digestive system using dogs
Unconditioned Stimulus: naturally causes involuntary movements (e.g., food causing salivation)
Neutral Stimulus: does not cause involuntary movements (e.g., a bell)
Conditioned Stimulus: initially neutral, becomes associated with unconditioned stimulus, causing an involuntary response after repeated pairings
Conditioned Response: involuntary movement towards an object, only triggered by the conditioned stimulus
Acquisition Phase: the period when the conditioned stimulus elicits the conditioned response
Classical Conditioning demonstrates how we are conditioned by our environment, allowing us to anticipate events
John B. Watson (1920) conditioned "Little Albert" to fear a white rat through pairing it with a loud noise

Operant Conditioning

Focuses on voluntary behavior
Operates under the idea that children actively seek out rewards and avoid punishment
B.F. Skinner (1948) proposed this theory
Operant Conditioning is associating behavior with consequences
Reinforcement strengthens behavior followed by a reward
Positive Reinforcement: presenting a stimulus (e.g., praise) after a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior
Negative Reinforcement: removing a stimulus (e.g., stopping nagging) after a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior
Punishment weakens behavior followed by a consequence
Positive Punishment: adding a stimulus (e.g., scolding) after a behavior, decreasing the likelihood of that behavior
Negative Punishment: removing a stimulus (e.g., taking away a toy) after a behavior, decreasing the likelihood of that behavior
Primary Reinforcer: innately reinforcing, satisfying a biological need (e.g., food)
Conditioned Reinforcer: gains effectiveness through association with a primary reinforcer (e.g., money)

Techniques in Operant Conditioning

Shaping: using reinforcements to gradually guide behavior closer to the desired response
Extinction: repeatedly not pairing the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus to eliminate the conditioned response
Partial or Intermittent Reinforcement: reinforcement is given only part of the time, making the desired behavior more resistant to extinction

Classroom Behavior Management

Lee Canter (1976) developed a behavior management cycle for the classroom
The cycle involves giving clear directions, establishing expectations, and consistently applying consequences
This approach aims to create a learning environment where students can learn without disruptive behaviors.

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Description

Dive into the principles of behaviorism and the process of classical conditioning. Explore how observable behaviors are influenced by environmental stimuli and learn about the key concepts established by Ivan Pavlov. This quiz will test your understanding of conditioning and the roles of unconditioned and conditioned stimuli.