Psychology Chapter: Conditioning Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is known as the pioneer of operant conditioning?

Albert Bandura

BF Skinner (correct)

Ivan Pavlov

John Watson

What concept involves action leading to a reward which encourages the subject to repeat the action?

Operant conditioning

What is the definition of shaping in operant conditioning?

An operant conditioning procedure that uses reinforcers to guide behavior toward closer approximations of the desired behavior.

What are reinforcers in the context of behavior?

Consequences that influence and strengthen behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Positive reinforcement involves increasing behaviors by presenting negative stimuli.

False Signup and view all the answers

Define negative reinforcement.

Constant punishment, such as shock, until the subject exhibits desired behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is punishment in behavioral terms?

An event that decreases the behavior that it follows. Signup and view all the answers

What is classical conditioning?

Conditioning that pairs a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that evokes a reflex. Signup and view all the answers

What does an unconditioned stimulus trigger?

A natural and automatic response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the unconditioned response?

The unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the conditioned stimulus?

An originally irrelevant stimulus that triggers a conditioned response after association. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response?

The learned response to a previously neutral but now conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction in operant conditioning?

A process where the reinforcer is removed and a conditioned response becomes independent of the conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What does generalization mean in psychology?

Transfer of a response learned to one stimulus to a similar stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is discrimination in classical conditioning?

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What are schedules of reinforcement?

Rules for determining when and how often reinforcers will continue. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed ratio schedule?

A schedule of reinforcement wherein a worker is paid for a certain sum for each product produced. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable ratio schedule?

A schedule where reinforcement happens after a varied number of responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed interval schedule?

A schedule of reinforcement where a worker receives a paycheck every Friday. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable interval schedule?

A schedule where reinforcement happens after a varied length of time. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Figures in Conditioning

BF Skinner: A major proponent of operant conditioning; emphasized rewards and punishments in shaping behavior. Known for experiments with pigeons and rats using an operant conditioning apparatus.
Ivan Pavlov: Russian physiologist famous for pioneering classical conditioning through his studies on conditioned salivary responses in dogs.

Operant Conditioning Concepts

Operant Conditioning: A method where behaviors are strengthened through rewards, encouraging repeated actions.
Shaping: A gradual process where reinforcers guide behavior closer to a desired outcome.
Reinforcers: Consequences that increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
Positive Reinforcement: Involves presenting favorable outcomes to increase a desired behavior (e.g., providing food after a desired action).
Negative Reinforcement: Utilizes the removal of aversive stimuli to strengthen behavior, such as administering shocks until a desired action is performed.
Punishment: Any event that serves to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

Classical Conditioning Terms

Classical Conditioning: A learning process that pairs a neutral stimulus with one that naturally triggers a reflexive response.
Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally causes a response without prior learning.
Unconditioned Response (UR): An unlearned response that occurs automatically in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation when food is present).
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Initially neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, begins to trigger a conditioned response.
Conditioned Response (CR): The learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus that was previously neutral.

Behavioral Conditioning Processes

Extinction: Occurs when a conditioned response diminishes due to the removal of reinforcement associated with the conditioned stimulus.
Spontaneous Recovery: The re-emergence of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest.
Generalization: The transfer of learned responses to stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus.
Discrimination: The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Schedules of Reinforcement: Rules determining the timing and frequency of reinforcers; important types include:
- Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement after a specific number of responses (e.g., payment per product made).
- Variable Ratio: Reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses, enhancing unpredictability.
- Fixed Interval: Reinforcement given after a fixed period (e.g., payday every Friday).
- Variable Interval: Reinforcement provided after varying lengths of time, promoting steady responses.
Partial Reinforcement: Involves variable schedules, enhancing learning over continuous reinforcement, which is more predictable and fixed.

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Description

Explore the concepts of operant and classical conditioning through these flashcards. Learn about key figures like BF Skinner and Ivan Pavlov and their pioneering work in behaviorism. This quiz will help strengthen your understanding of how conditioning influences behavior.