Psychology Chapter on Escape & Avoidance Learning

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Questions and Answers

What is a potential downside of punishment in behavior modification?

It may cause individuals to avoid the punisher. (correct)

It consistently promotes positive behaviors.

It reinforces social connections.

It encourages direct communication.

How might punishment affect emotional responses in individuals?

It generally leads to happiness and compliance.

It prevents aggressive behavior from occurring.

It could elicit strong emotional responses that hinder learning. (correct)

It always results in improved relationships.

What lesson might individuals learn from experiencing punishment?

That punishment is an acceptable method for behavior control. (correct)

That emotional intelligence is not important.

That working collaboratively is beneficial.

That confrontation is the key to resolving issues.

What reaction may be evoked in individuals subjected to punishment?

A tendency to exhibit aggression. Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario is unwanted behavior typically suppressed?

When the person responsible for the behavior is present. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes escape behavior?

It results in the termination of an aversive stimulus that is currently happening. Signup and view all the answers

How does avoidance behavior differ from escape behavior?

Avoidance decreases the likelihood of the aversive stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of negative reinforcement in avoidance learning?

To remove an aversive stimulus and increase the behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes learned helplessness?

It results from repeated exposure to an aversive stimulus without the ability to escape. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes signaled avoidance from other types of avoidance?

It is based on the presence of a cue that signals the potential for an aversive stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Within the context of punishment, what is the effect of positive punishment?

It adds an aversive outcome to decrease behavior. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of operant conditioning, what does escape learning involve?

The removal of an aversive stimulus to encourage a particular behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of passive avoidance?

It typically requires no active effort to prevent an aversive situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first necessary process in Mowrer's Two Process Theory of Avoidance?

The subject learns to associate the warning stimulus with the aversive stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of avoidance conditioning, what type of stimulus is the light considered?

Conditioned Stimulus (CS) Signup and view all the answers

How is phobia, according to the text, primarily acquired?

Through classical conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What role does negative reinforcement play in the avoidance learning process?

It strengthens the avoidance behavior by reducing fear. Signup and view all the answers

What does Kamin's 1957 study support in the Two Factor Theory?

The prediction that avoidance responding is only learned if the warning signal terminates upon response. Signup and view all the answers

In Mowrer's Two Process Theory, which component refers to the escape from aversive stimuli?

Operant conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a primary feature of a phobia?

The fear is associated with a specific object or situation. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the second process of the Two Process Theory?

Reinforcement occurs during the presentation of the warning stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between negative punishment and extinction?

Negative punishment results in losing something already possessed, while extinction involves a behavior that no longer produces reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of intrinsic punishment?

Feeling pain after lifting a heavy object. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a primary punisher?

An event that is inherently punishing without prior learning. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a secondary (conditioned) punisher?

A speeding ticket received for driving too fast. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement highlights a problem with the use of punishment?

Punishment of inappropriate behavior may not encourage appropriate behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of extrinsic punishment?

Receiving criticism for posting a rude comment online. Signup and view all the answers

What can the individual delivering punishment become in the context of learning?

A discriminative stimulus for punishment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors is most likely to be affected by punishment?

Decreasing overall behavioral interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What was the treatment used by Lang and Melamed to address vomiting in the infant?

Mild electric shocks Signup and view all the answers

According to the findings of Lang and Melamed, how quickly did vomiting cease after treatment began?

On the fourth day of treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a guideline for the effective use of punishment?

Punishment should be varied in intensity Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential problem with delayed punishment?

It may weaken the association with the behavior Signup and view all the answers

What behavior was characterized as 'rumination' according to the discussion?

Repeated regurgitation without nausea Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of administering punishment in the study conducted by Lang and Melamed?

To eliminate psychogenic vomiting Signup and view all the answers

What could possibly happen if punishment is not intense enough?

The punishment may be viewed as an empty threat Signup and view all the answers

What outcome occurred when the treatment for the infant was discontinued?

Some vomiting recurred Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Escape & Avoidance Learning

Escape is getting away from an aversive stimulus in progress, terminating the stimulus.
Avoidance is behaving before the aversive stimulus, preventing its delivery.
Both Escape and Avoidance increases the response through negative reinforcement.

Two-Factor Theory

Two types of learning occur in avoidance learning:
- Classical Conditioning: The subject learns to associate a warning stimulus with the aversive stimulus.
- Operant Conditioning: The subject learns to escape the warning stimulus through negative reinforcement.

Support for Two-Factor Theory

Kamin (1957) studied four groups of rats in a two-chamber avoidance apparatus.
Rats could avoid the shock (US) and terminate the warning signal (CS).

Phobias

A phobia is an irrational fear of a specific object or situation.
Acquisition: Classical Conditioning process where the CS (object) is paired with a US (feeling trapped) eliciting a fear response.
Maintenance: Avoidance (negative reinforcement) where escaping the SD (object) reduces the fear response.

Problems with the Use of Punishment

Punishment does not directly strengthen appropriate behavior.
The person delivering the punishment could become a discriminative stimulus for the unwanted behavior.
Punishment might teach the individual to avoid the punisher.
Punishment can elicit strong emotional and aggressive responses.

Benefits of Punishment

A study by Lang and Melamed (1969) used punishment to stop psychogenic vomiting and rumination in a 9-month-old boy.
The study successfully controlled the boy's vomiting through brief, repeated mild shocks.

Effective Use of Punishment

Punishment should be immediate, intense, and consistently following each occurrence of unwanted behavior.
Punishment can be effective if used correctly.

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Description

Explore the concepts of escape and avoidance learning, including their definitions and differences. This chapter also delves into the Two-Factor Theory and how phobias can be formed through classical conditioning. Test your understanding of these fundamental aspects of psychology and reinforcement learning.