Psychology Chapter 5: Behaviorism and Conditioning

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary aim of Watson and Rayner's experiment?

To analyze the effects of loud noises on child behavior.

To determine if a child could be conditioned to fear a previously neutral stimulus. (correct)

To assess a child's innate reactions to different stimuli.

To explore how children interact with animals.

What was Albert's reaction before conditioning when presented with the white mouse?

He stared intently at the mouse.

He cried and screamed.

He showed no reaction. (correct)

He laughed and clapped.

What additional stimulus was introduced during the conditioning phase?

A loud noise. (correct)

A pleasant sound.

A soft toy.

Colorful lights.

What was observed in Albert after the conditioning was complete?

He showed distress at the sight of furry objects. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was Albert's behavior when he first encountered the rat?

He turned sharply and attempted to crawl away. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the unconditioned stimulus in Little Albert's experiment?

Loud Noise (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of generalization entail?

Responding similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes stimulus discrimination?

Differentiating between the conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why did Albert develop fear of objects other than the white rat?

He experienced generalization from the white rat (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was Albert's conditioned response after the experiment?

Fear towards other animals and furry objects (A) Signup and view all the answers

What principle suggests that behaviors leading to satisfaction are more likely to be repeated?

Law of effect (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Skinner's contribution to behaviorism?

He introduced the concept of reinforcement. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Skinner box in Skinner's experiments?

To understand how rewards affect behavior. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Skinner, what happens to behaviors that are not reinforced?

They are weakened. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Skinner's work, what does reinforcement specifically refer to?

Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Behaviourist approach primarily focus on?

Observable and measurable behavior (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes classical conditioning?

A form of learning that involves an innate reflex (D) Signup and view all the answers

What realization did Pavlov have during his experiments with dogs?

Salivation in response to food is an unlearned reflex. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who is associated with the development of Operant Conditioning?

B.F. Skinner (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does reinforcement function in the Behaviourist approach?

It encourages voluntary responses. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a key principle of the Behaviourist approach?

Focus should be placed on observable behavior. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What form of learning does out of the following NOT represent?

Cognitive restructuring (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following principles is emphasized in the Behaviourist approach?

Direct observation of behavior (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of phobias?

Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is typically not considered a phobia?

Social anxiety disorder (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following phobias involves a fear of open public spaces?

Agoraphobia (D) Signup and view all the answers

Emetophobia refers to the fear of which of the following?

Vomiting (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which phobia is characterized by an irrational fear of animals?

Zoophobia (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the fear of driving?

Driving phobia (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following phobias is not commonly reported in the UK?

Cacophobia (B) Signup and view all the answers

Spontaneous recovery is related to which of the following concepts?

Classical conditioning and extinction (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a variable ratio schedule?

Reinforcement is given after a variable number of responses. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates a fixed interval schedule?

A rat receives food after pressing a lever once every 30 seconds. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a variable interval schedule?

A student earns points for every hour studied across different days. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are variable ratio schedules particularly effective in maintaining behaviors?

Because players believe the next attempt will lead to success. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the reinforcement pattern differ in a fixed interval schedule compared to a variable interval schedule?

Fixed interval has a set time before reinforcement is available. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What would be an example of reinforcement in a variable ratio schedule in a workplace context?

A call center rewards random employees for making calls without a specified number. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario is reinforcement least likely to be effective?

Reinforcing animals only after they have performed a behavior at fixed intervals. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What might be a consequence of using a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement?

High rates of response immediately before reinforcement is available. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Behaviourism

The behaviourist approach focuses on learning through environmental interactions.
Learning can occur through stimulus-response or reinforcement.
Focuses on observable behaviour rather than internal mental processes.
This approach highlights simple principles of learning.

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning, a form of learning, involves associating two stimuli.
Ivan Pavlov's research with dogs demonstrated classical conditioning.
A neutral stimulus (e.g., a bell) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., food) triggering an unconditioned response (e.g., salivation).
After repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response.
The classic example is a dog salivating at the sound of a bell, learned after having that sound paired with the food.

Classical Conditioning: Key Elements

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response.
Unconditioned Response (UCR): The automatic, natural response to the UCS.
Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially does not trigger the UCR.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): The neutral stimulus, after repeated pairings with the UCS, now triggers a response.
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus (CS).

Classical Conditioning: Applications and Examples

This learning process can explain phobias and develop emotional responses.
It can be used to understand and treat several disorders and habits.
The pairing of a specific type of food with an illness can lead to a learned aversion to that food.

The Little Albert Experiment

Conducted by John Watson and Rosalie Rayner.
Demonstrated the acquisition of phobias through classical conditioning.
A neutral stimulus (white rat) was paired with a loud noise, resulting in a fear response (conditioned).
The fear response generalized to other similar stimuli (furry objects).

Spontaneous Recovery

The return of a conditioned response (CR) after it appears to have been extinguished.
This can happen even when the conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (UCS) are no longer presented together.

Blocking Effect

The presence of an already-conditioned stimulus prevents learning of a new conditioned stimulus response.
This new unrelated stimulus is blocked in its effect when the previously conditioned stimulus already exists.

Kamin's Experiment

Experiment with rats to show the importance of the order of presenting stimuli associated with an outcome in conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process in which the consequences of behavior influence its repetition.
Behaviour is directly affected by rewards and punishments.
B.F. Skinner and his experiments using the Skinner box were key in its discovery.

Operant Conditioning: Key Concepts

Reinforcement: Strengthening a behavior by following it with a desirable consequence.
Punishment: Weakening a behavior by following it with an undesirable consequence.
Positive Reinforcement: Adding a desirable stimulus.
Negative Reinforcement: Removing an undesirable stimulus.
Positive Punishment: Adding an undesirable stimulus.
Negative Punishment: Removing a desirable stimulus.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Continuous reinforcement: Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs.
Partial reinforcement: Reinforcing a behavior some but not all the time.
Fixed-ratio schedule: Reinforcement after a fixed number of responses.
Variable-ratio schedule: Reinforcement after a variable number of responses.
Fixed-interval schedule: Reinforcement after a fixed time interval.
Variable-interval schedule: Reinforcement after a variable time interval.

Shaping

Training complex behaviours by rewarding successive approximations of the desired behaviour.

Superstitious Behaviors

Behaviors that are unintentionally linked to reinforcement or punishment, despite having no causal connection.

Punishment

A process of weakening a behaviour by providing an undesirable consequence.
Often a negative approach to behaviour change versus reinforcement.

Token Economy

System using tokens (rewards) to reinforce desirable behaviors.
Can be used to motivate and teach good behaviours.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without apparent reinforcement, but is later demonstrated when reinforcement is provided.

Observational Learning

Learning from observing others' behaviors and their consequences.

Behaviour Therapy

Therapy using principles of classical and operant conditioning to change behaviors.
Aversion therapy is a technique for associating an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant stimulus.
Token economy reinforces desirable behaviours with tokens that can be exchanged for rewards.
Programmed learning presents material in small steps, with reinforcement for correct responses.

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Description

This quiz tests your understanding of Watson and Rayner's Little Albert experiment and Skinner's contributions to behaviorism. Explore key concepts such as conditioned responses, stimulus discrimination, and reinforcement principles. Perfect for students studying psychology and behavioral theories.