Psychology Chapter 5 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is classical conditioning?

A method for operant conditioning

A type of voluntary behavior reinforcement

A form of learning where a response becomes associated with a previously neutral stimulus (correct)

A process of learning through free will

What does operant conditioning involve?

Freely emitted behavior with reinforcers and punishers.

What is a positive reinforcer?

Adding something pleasurable to increase behavior.

What is a negative reinforcer?

Taking something unpleasant away to increase behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a positive punisher?

Adding something unpleasant to decrease behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a negative punisher?

Taking something pleasurable away to decrease behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned stimulus (US)?

A stimulus that inevitably causes a specific response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response (UR)?

A natural response that occurs in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a response. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

The learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is intermittent pairing?

Pairing the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus on a portion of the learning trials. Signup and view all the answers

What is desensitization therapy?

A technique to gradually reduce anxiety about a specific object or situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is preparedness?

A biological readiness to learn certain associations. Signup and view all the answers

What is conditioned taste aversion?

Avoidance of certain foods due to one pairing of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the law of effect?

Behavior that is rewarded will be learned, while behavior that leads to discomfort will be eliminated. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Skinner box?

A box used in operant conditioning to limit responses and increase desired behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does shaping involve?

Reinforcing successive approximations to a desired behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is avoidance training?

Learning a desirable behavior to prevent something unpleasant. Signup and view all the answers

What is learned helplessness?

Failure to escape from an aversive stimulus due to previous exposure to unavoidable pain. Signup and view all the answers

What is biofeedback?

A technique that uses monitoring devices to teach control over physiological processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is neurofeedback?

A biofeedback technique that monitors brain waves to teach voluntary control. Signup and view all the answers

What is contingency in psychology?

A reliable 'if-then' relationship between two events. Signup and view all the answers

What is blocking in conditioning?

A process that prevents conditioning to a second stimulus due to prior conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a schedule of reinforcement?

The rule determining the timing and frequency of reinforcement in operant conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed-interval schedule?

A reinforcement schedule where the correct response is reinforced after a fixed time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable-interval schedule?

A reinforcement schedule where reinforcement occurs after varying lengths of time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed-ratio schedule?

A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement after a set number of correct responses. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning

Discovered by Ivan Pavlov, involving a neutral stimulus triggering a conditioned response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
Unconditioned stimulus (US): Elicits a specific response naturally without prior learning.
Unconditioned response (UR): Automatic reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.
Conditioned stimulus (CS): Initially neutral stimulus that, after pairing with a US, elicits a conditioned response.
Conditioned response (CR): The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus after conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

Focuses on voluntary behavior rather than involuntary responses.
Reinforcers: Stimuli that strengthen behavior.
Punishers: Stimuli that decrease behavior.

Reinforcement and Punishment

Positive reinforcer: Adding a pleasurable stimulus to enhance behavior.
Negative reinforcer: Removing an unpleasant stimulus to encourage behavior.
Positive punisher: Adding an unpleasant stimulus to reduce behavior.
Negative punisher: Taking away a pleasurable stimulus to lessen behavior.

Conditioning Techniques

Intermittent pairing: Pairing CS and US in some, but not all, learning trials.
Desensitization therapy: Gradual exposure technique reducing anxiety towards specific stimuli.
Conditioned taste aversion: Avoidance of food after a single pairing with illness.

Theoretical Principles

Preparedness: Biological predisposition to learn associations beneficial for survival.
Law of effect: Behaviors followed by rewards become strengthened, while those followed by discomfort diminish.

Practical Applications

Skinner box: Apparatus for operant conditioning limiting response options to increase desired behavior.
Shaping: Reinforcing gradual steps towards a targeted behavior.
Avoidance training: Learning behaviors to evade unpleasant experiences.

Learned Responses

Learned helplessness: Condition where past experiences of failure lead to an inability to escape current unpleasant situations.

Biofeedback Techniques

Biofeedback: Monitoring physiological functions to gain control over involuntary processes.
Neurofeedback: Specific type of biofeedback focusing on voluntary control of brain wave activity through EEG.

Conditioning Concepts

Contingency: Defined "if-then" relationship between stimuli, essential for effective conditioning.
Blocking: Prior conditioning inhibits the conditioning of a new stimulus when presented together.

Reinforcement Schedules

Schedule of reinforcement: Rules determining the delivery of reinforcements.
Fixed-interval schedule: Reinforcement occurs after a set time has elapsed.
Variable-interval schedule: Reinforcement is given after varying time periods.
Fixed-ratio schedule: Reinforcement occurs after a specified number of behaviors.
Variable-ratio schedule: Reinforcement is based on a variable number of responses, creating high response rates.

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Dive into the concepts of classical and operant conditioning with these flashcards from Psychology Chapter 5. Strengthen your understanding of key terms and definitions essential for mastering this fundamental area of psychology.