Learning and Classical Conditioning

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Questions and Answers

What happens during the process of classical conditioning?

The conditioned stimulus is never paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

A conditioned response is triggered by an unconditioned stimulus.

A neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus through pairing. (correct)

An unconditioned stimulus is presented alone.

What signifies the difference between an unconditioned response and a conditioned response?

The amount of training involved.

The environmental triggers that provoke the responses. (correct)

The nature of the responses themselves.

The time taken for the responses to occur.

What is the main purpose of extinction in classical conditioning?

To create a stronger unconditioned stimulus.

To break the association between the conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus. (correct)

To develop a new unconditioned response.

To strengthen the conditioned response.

What will occur if a conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus?

Extinction of the conditioned response will take place. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes stimulus generalization?

A response to stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What can result from pairing a stimulus with positive or negative stimuli in evaluative conditioning?

Altered liking or evaluation of the stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what is the role of the neutral stimulus before conditioning occurs?

To have no inherent response. Signup and view all the answers

What can spontaneous recovery indicate in classical conditioning?

A previously extinguished conditioned response can reappear. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement?

Reinforcement is given after a specific number of responses. Signup and view all the answers

How do variable-ratio schedules affect behavior in comparison to fixed-ratio schedules?

Variable-ratio schedules produce a high rate of response and are more resistant to extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of a fixed-interval schedule?

Reinforcement is provided after a specified time period has passed. Signup and view all the answers

Which schedule is most likely to produce steady rates of responding?

Variable-interval schedule Signup and view all the answers

What does stimulus control training involve?

Learning to discriminate between stimuli where reinforcement is provided. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of latent learning suggest?

Learning can occur without any observable behavior initially. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is incorrect regarding the effects of variable-interval schedules?

They yield lower overall response rates than fixed-interval schedules. Signup and view all the answers

What role does a discriminative stimulus play in reinforcement?

It indicates when reinforcement is likely to follow a response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

To increase the probability of a preceding behavior being repeated Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a primary reinforcer from a secondary reinforcer?

Secondary reinforcers gain their effectiveness through association with primary reinforcers Signup and view all the answers

In the context of shaping behaviors, what is the initial step in the process?

Reinforcing any behavior that is similar to the desired behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a neutral stimulus (NS) in classical conditioning?

A stimulus that does not initially cause the response of interest. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a positive reinforcer?

A stimulus added that brings about an increase in a response Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario is an example of negative reinforcement?

Removing a loud noise to encourage a student to study Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what does the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) refer to?

A stimulus that naturally elicits a response without prior learning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Skinner box primarily used for?

Researching operant conditioning processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order of the steps in classical conditioning?

NS, UCS, UCR, CS, CR Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

A learned response that follows a conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What behavioral concept explains why individuals press the snooze button repeatedly?

Negative reinforcement by eliminating the unpleasant experience of waking up Signup and view all the answers

What role does the unconditioned response (UCR) play in classical conditioning?

It is a natural response that does not require training. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used to teach complex behaviors gradually?

Shaping Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning?

The neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits positive reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a neutral stimulus after it has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus?

It becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits a response. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is correct regarding classical conditioning?

Conditioned responses occur only with repeated exposure to the conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What was the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) in Watson's Little Albert experiment?

The loud noise Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon does the generalization of fears in the Little Albert experiment illustrate?

Conditioned responses can spread to similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the difference between conditioned and unconditioned responses?

Conditioned responses require training, while unconditioned responses are natural. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes conditioned taste aversions?

Illness experienced after eating a food can lead to an aversion to that food. Signup and view all the answers

What does Thorndike's Law of Effect state about responses followed by satisfying consequences?

They are more likely to be repeated. Signup and view all the answers

What role do voluntary responses play in operant conditioning?

They are strengthened or weakened based on consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What does biological preparedness theory suggest about classical conditioning?

Certain associations are easier to learn due to evolutionary history. Signup and view all the answers

How can posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) be understood through classical conditioning?

It involves responses that are learned and triggered years later. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive punishment?

Introducing an unpleasant stimulus to reduce behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario is an example of negative punishment?

Having a favorite toy taken away for bad behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes continuous reinforcement?

Reinforcing behavior every time it occurs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage of using punishment to modify behavior?

It may encourage physical aggression and reduce self-esteem. Signup and view all the answers

How does partial reinforcement affect learned behavior compared to continuous reinforcement?

It yields more robust and longer-lasting behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens when punishment is not delivered immediately after the target behavior?

It can lead to confusion about which behavior is being punished. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement?

Reinforcing a behavior after every tenth response. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to reinforce desired behavior rather than relying on punishment?

Reinforcement directly encourages the behavior you want. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Introduction

Learning is defined by the acquisition of new knowledge, skills, or behaviours.
This involves considering what 'learning' even means, how learners come to learn, and what factors affect learning.

Pavlov's Discovery (Classical Conditioning)

Pavlov was studying digestion in dogs when he noticed that dogs started salivating before receiving food.
Their response extended to stimuli associated with food (like the researchers' footsteps).
This response, which stemmed from learning, highlights classical conditioning.

Classical Conditioning Components

Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus initially unrelated to a response (e.g., a bell).
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that naturally triggers a response (e.g., food).
Unconditioned Response (UCR): The automatic response to the UCS (e.g., salivation at food).
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Previously neutral stimulus, which after association with UCS, triggers a learned response (e.g., the bell).
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the CS (e.g., salivation at the bell).

Classical Conditioning Steps

A neutral stimulus (NS) starts without any relevant response.
The NS is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) triggering an unconditioned response (UCR).
Eventually, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) inducing a conditioned response (CR).

Classical Conditioning: The Basics

Conditioning involves learning associations between stimuli and responses.
Unconditioned responses are innate, not learned.
Conditioning transforms neutral stimuli into conditioned stimuli.

Classical Conditioning: More Basics

Conditioned and neutral stimuli are initially the same.
A conditioned response has the same physiological response as an unconditioned response, but is triggered by a different stimulus.

Unlearning/Extinction

Extinction occurs when the conditioned response (CR) weakens over time if the conditioned stimulus (CS) is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus (UCS).

Stimulus Generalization & Discrimination

Generalization: Similar stimuli to the conditioned stimulus produce similar responses.
Discrimination: Learning to respond to a specific stimulus, not similar ones.

Evaluative Conditioning (a form of Classical Conditioning)

This form of learning alters the emotional connection to a stimulus.
It involves associating a stimulus with positive or negative stimuli, changing the positive or negative evaluation of the relevant stimulus..

Conditioned Fears & Phobias

Fears and phobias can be learned through classical conditioning,
This is exemplified by Watson's Little Albert experiment.
When a neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with a fear-inducing stimulus, the neutral stimulus can become a conditioned stimulus eliciting fear.

Conditioned Taste Aversions

These aversions are formed when a food or taste is associated with illness.
This differs from other forms of classical conditioning as the time gap between the stimuli is considerably long.
Biological preparedness may contribute to this specific type of conditioning.

Operant Conditioning (Thorndike & Skinner)

Operant conditioning focuses on voluntary behaviours and their consequences.
Favourable consequences strengthen behaviours, while unfavourable consequences weaken them.
This is different from classical conditioning as it does not involve reflexive behaviours.

Thorndike's Law of Effect

Responses resulting in rewarding consequences are more likely to be repeated.
Conversely, responses with undesirable outcomes are less likely repeated.

Skinner's Experiments (Skinner Box)

Skinner used the Skinner box to study how environmental factors affect animal behaviours.
This experiment focused on operant conditioning.
Thorndike's research influenced Skinner's work and use of the box.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement is a stimulus that leads to a greater probability of the preceding behaviour being repeated.
Primary reinforcers fulfil basic needs (e.g., food, water), while secondary reinforcers gained value through association with primary reinforcers (like money).

Shaping

Shaping gradually trains a complex behaviour by rewarding approximations of the desired outcome.
It involves rewarding increasingly closer behaviours to the final target behaviour.

Positive & Negative Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement: Adding a desirable stimulus to increase behaviour.
Negative reinforcement: Removing an undesirable stimulus to increase behaviour.

Positive & Negative Punishment

Positive punishment: Adding an undesirable stimulus to discourage a behaviour.
Negative punishment: Removing a desirable stimulus to discourage behaviour.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Continuous reinforcement: Rewards each instance of a desired behaviour.
Partial reinforcement: Rewards some instances of a desired behaviour. - Partial reinforcement leads to more-resistant behaviours.

Schedules of Reinforcement (Fixed Ratio and Interval, Variable Ratio and Interval)

Fixed-ratio: Reinforcement after a specific number of responses.
Variable-ratio: Reinforcement after a varying number of responses.
Fixed-interval: Reinforcement after a specific amount of time.
Variable-interval: Reinforcement after a varying amount of time.

Stimulus Discrimination / Generalization and Stimulus Control Training

Animals/people can use stimuli as signals to predict whether reinforcement will happen.
These signals are known as discriminative stimuli.

Latent Learning (Tolman)

Latent learning implies learning can occur without being immediately obvious.
Tolman's rat maze experiment demonstrated latent learning, showing that learning can occur even without reinforcement.

Observational Learning (Bandura)

Observational learning involves learning by observing and imitating others.
Bandura's Bobo doll experiments showed the importance of models and the influence of reinforcement in observational learning.

Media Violence and Observational Learning

Exposure to media violence can increase aggression and desensitize viewers to violence.
Viewers observe and potentially imitate behaviours observed from media.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of learning, particularly through Pavlov's classical conditioning. It covers definitions, key components, and how learning impacts behavior. Test your understanding of these psychological principles and their applications.