Psychology: Classical and Operant Conditioning

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning

Involves learning through association between stimuli.
Example: Hot shower (UCS) causes jumping back (UCR), leading to associating toilet flush (CS) with jumping back (CR) before hot water arrives.
Example: Flu illness (UCS) leads to nausea (UCR) from new food (CS), resulting in nausea at the smell of that food (CR).
Example: Frequent injections (UCS) trigger increased heart rate (UCR) in a small room (CS), causing increased heart rate simply by being in the room (CR).
Example: Bad accident (UCS) leads to cringing (UCR) at the sound of brakes (CS), resulting in sweating and cringing at the sound (CR).
Example: Smell of bread (CS) triggers mouth watering (CR) after eating bread (UCS).
Example: Loud noise (UCS) causes startle response (UCR) at the sight of a rat (CS), resulting in being startled at the rat (CR) in Watson's experiment with Albert.

Operant Conditioning

Learning based on consequences of behavior, using reinforcement and punishment.
Positive reinforcement: Receiving rewards or benefits after a desired behavior increases likelihood of repetition.
- Example: A father gives a credit card for good grades, motivating continued academic improvement.
- Example: Circus lion learns tricks for food treats.
- Example: Finding a quarter in a pay telephone leads to checking more phones.
- Example: Professor praises nearly correct answers to encourage participation.
- Example: Weight management participants earn points for healthy behavior, leading to refunds.
- Example: A child receives a preferred activity choice for a week of no arguing.
Positive punishment: Introducing an aversive stimulus to reduce unwanted behavior.
- Example: Annoying car light for not buckling seatbelt increases compliance.
Negative reinforcement: Removing an aversive condition when a desired behavior occurs, which increases that behavior.
- Example: Perfect attendance leads to final exam exemption.
- Example: Wearing gloves to relieve cold encourages future use.

Description

Explore the concepts of classical and operant conditioning in psychology. This quiz includes flashcards that illustrate key terms and definitions. Test your understanding of how these learning theories influence behavior.