Psychology Chapter 6 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the differences and similarities between classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational conditioning?

Classical conditioning involves associating an involuntary response and a stimulus, while operant conditioning is about associating a voluntary behavior and a consequence. Observational conditioning involves learning by watching others acquire responses through classical or operant conditioning.

What association is being made in classical conditioning vs operant conditioning?

Classical conditioning involves associating an involuntary response and a stimulus, while operant conditioning is about associating a voluntary behavior and a consequence.

How do the various types of learning occur?

Learning occurs through genuine experience and when the learner can process and retain the knowledge through internal manipulation.

What characterizes the acquisition phase?

The acquisition phase means that an association between the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and the conditioned stimulus (CS) is acquired. Signup and view all the answers

What is shaping?

Shaping refers to reinforcements of closer and closer approximations of a desired response. Signup and view all the answers

Define stimulus generalization in classical conditioning.

Stimulus generalization occurs when a person generalizes what they have learned from a specific conditioned stimulus (CS) to other stimuli that are similar. Signup and view all the answers

Define stimulus discrimination in classical conditioning.

Stimulus discrimination happens when a person does not generalize what they have learned from a specific CS to other stimuli which are similar. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

Extinction refers to weakening and eventually breaking an association between the UCS and CS by presenting the CS alone, without the UCS. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?

Spontaneous recovery is a partial recovery in strength of the conditioned response following a break during extinction training. Signup and view all the answers

What is instinctive drift?

Instinctive drift is the tendency of learned behavior to gradually revert to biologically predisposed patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What are the schedules of reinforcement?

The schedules of reinforcement are fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reinforcement schedule would you use to promote quick responses?

Variable-ratio schedule. Signup and view all the answers

Define primary reinforcers.

Primary reinforcers are events that are inherently reinforcing because they satisfy biological needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a secondary reinforcer?

A secondary reinforcer is any reinforcer that becomes reinforcing after being paired with a primary reinforcer. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement involves adding something into the situation that increases the tendency to repeat the preceding behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative reinforcement?

Negative reinforcement entails taking something away to increase behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive punishment?

Positive punishment involves adding something into the situation that decreases behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative punishment?

Negative punishment involves taking something away to decrease behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is higher order conditioning?

Higher order conditioning occurs when a strong conditioned stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus, causing the neutral stimulus to become a second conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What rules of conditioning are violated in taste aversion?

Taste aversion violates the rule of short delay between CS and US presentation and represents an evolutionary adaptive response. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence do we have that there are biological limitations and/or predispositions to learning/conditioning?

Examples of biological influences on conditioning include taste aversion and instinctive drift. Signup and view all the answers

What is signal relations?

Signal relations refer to the predictive value of the conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is classical conditioning?

Classical conditioning establishes phobia. Signup and view all the answers

What is operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning maintains phobia. Signup and view all the answers

What is corporeal punishment?

Corporeal punishment involves punishment inflicted on the body through whipping, branding, mutilation, or torture. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical and Operant Conditioning

Classical Conditioning: Involves associating an involuntary response with a stimulus; a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS).
Operant Conditioning: Focuses on associating voluntary behavior with its consequences (reinforcement or punishment).
Observational Conditioning: Involves learning behaviors by observing others; can incorporate both classical and operant conditioning elements.

Key Concepts in Conditioning

Acquisition Phase: Refers to the process of developing an association between the UCS and CS.
Shaping: The technique of reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior, promoting gradual learning.

Stimulus Relationships

Stimulus Generalization (Classical): Occurs when a learned association applies to stimuli similar to the original CS (e.g., a medallion reminding one of a favorite meal).
Stimulus Discrimination (Classical): The ability to differentiate between similar stimuli, leading to specific responses (e.g., associating happiness exclusively with Disney).
Stimulus Generalization (Operant): Involves generalizing learned responses to similar contexts (e.g., a clown associated with fear due to past experiences).
Stimulus Discrimination (Operant): One learns to associate specific stimuli with particular outcomes.

Extinction and Recovery

Extinction (Classical): Weakening of the association between UCS and CS when the CS is presented without the UCS, potentially leading to spontaneous recovery.
Extinction (Operant): Occurs when previously reinforced behavior is no longer followed by a reinforcing consequence, leading to reduced frequency of that behavior.
Spontaneous Recovery: The return of a conditioned response after a period of absence from the conditioned stimulus.

Biological Influences on Conditioning

Taste Aversion: A learned avoidance of a specific food after a negative experience; shows how biological predispositions can impact conditioning.
Instinctive Drift: The tendency for conditioned behaviors to revert back to innate behaviors, showcasing limitations to operant conditioning.

Types of Reinforcement and Punishment

Positive Reinforcement: Introduction of a favorable stimulus to increase a behavior.
Negative Reinforcement: Removal of an unfavorable stimulus to promote a behavior.
Positive Punishment: Application of an aversive stimulus to decrease undesirable behavior.
Negative Punishment: Removal of a pleasant stimulus to inhibit a behavior.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement is provided after a set number of responses; produces a high rate of responding.
Variable Ratio: Reinforcement is given after an unpredictable number of responses; known for high and consistent response rates.
Fixed Interval: Reinforcement is given after a fixed time interval; leads to scalloped responding behavior.
Variable Interval: Reinforcement occurs at unpredictable time intervals; results in steady yet slow response rates.

Contributions of Behaviorists

Strict Behaviorists: Emphasized the importance of observable behavior and environmental factors; minimal focus on internal mental processes.
Later Behaviorists: Recognized internal cognitive processes affecting behavior; introduced concepts like latent learning and cognitive maps.

Conditioning Elements

Signal Relations: Refers to the predictive value of the conditioned stimulus, as highlighted by Rescorla; reflects an organism’s ability to interpret environmental cues.
Phobias: Established through classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning.

Reinforcers

Primary Reinforcers: Reinforcers that satisfy biological needs naturally (e.g., food, water).
Secondary Reinforcers: Reinforcers that gain value through association with primary reinforcers (e.g., money, praise).

Observational Learning Processes

Cognitive Processes: In observational learning, the steps include attention, retention of information, reproduction of behavior, and motivation to perform the behavior.

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Explore the differences and similarities between classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational conditioning in this comprehensive quiz. Test your understanding of these foundational concepts in psychology and enhance your knowledge for better retention. Perfect for students studying reinforcement theories!