Psychology: Classical Conditioning Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is classical conditioning?

A learning procedure in which associations are made between a natural stimulus and a neutral stimulus.

Explain the differences between classical and operant conditioning.

Classical Conditioning: 1. Always a specific stimulus (UCS) that elicits the desired response. 2. UCS does not depend upon learner's response. 3. Learner responds to its environment. Operant Conditioning: 1. No identifiable stimulus; learner must first respond, then behavior is reinforced. 2. Reinforcement depends upon learner's behavior. 3. Learner actively operates on its environment.

How would you use shaping to teach a dog to shake?

Wait for the dog to move its paw toward you or paw at you on its own. Then immediately hit the clicker and reward the dog with a treat. Repeat this process until the dog can shake on command.

How are generalization and discrimination related to classical conditioning?

Generalization occurs when one responds to a stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus, while discrimination is the ability to respond differently to different stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Define operant conditioning.

Learning in which a certain action is reinforced or punished, resulting in corresponding increases or decreases in occurrence. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the four schedules of partial reinforcement work.

Behavior is reinforced according to fixed or variable reinforcement schedules that are based on numbers of responses or times of responses. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the situation in which a conditioned response might become extinct.

When the participant no longer associates the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Why do people feel distress at the mere sight of flashing police lights?

The feeling of distress at the sight of flashing police lights is the result of classical conditioning. You may associate receiving a traffic ticket with flashing police lights. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish under what reinforcement schedule does a typical slot machine operate.

The schedule is VR because the number of responses determines the rate of reinforcement but the number of responses required varies each time. It is not VI because time is not a determining factor. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how punishment has an impact on a behavior.

In punishment, behavior that is punished decreases or is not repeated. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning involves creating associations between a natural stimulus (UCS) and a neutral stimulus.
The unconditioned stimulus elicits a response without requiring any previous learning.

Differences Between Classical and Operant Conditioning

In classical conditioning, the UCS prompts the desired response; in operant conditioning, learners must first respond for behavior to be reinforced.
Classical conditioning is driven by environmental stimuli; operant conditioning relies on the learner's behavior to trigger reinforcement.
Operant conditioning requires active involvement from the learner to influence their environment.

Shaping Process for Teaching a Dog

Wait for a dog to initiate movement toward its paw; use a clicker immediately followed by a treat.
Repeat until the behavior is consistently displayed on command.

Generalization and Discrimination in Classical Conditioning

Generalization occurs when a conditioned response is triggered by stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.
Discrimination enables distinguishing between different stimuli, leading to varied responses based on the specific stimulus.

Operant Conditioning Definition

Operant conditioning is a learning process where actions are reinforced or punished, leading to changes in behavior frequency.

Schedules of Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcement can follow fixed or variable schedules based on the number of responses or intervals between responses.
Types of schedules determine how reinforcement is presented, influencing behavior patterns.

Extinction of Conditioned Responses

A conditioned response may become extinct when the participant fails to associate the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus.

Distress from Flashing Police Lights

Distress tied to flashing police lights stems from classical conditioning, where past experiences (e.g., receiving tickets) create an association with negative emotions.

Slot Machine Reinforcement Schedule

Slot machines operate on a variable ratio (VR) schedule, where the reinforcement is based on the number of responses but varies each time.
This schedule contrasts with a variable interval (VI) schedule, which relies on time for reinforcement.

Impact of Punishment on Behavior

Punishment leads to a decrease in the frequency of a behavior by creating negative consequences associated with that behavior.

Description

Test your understanding of classical conditioning concepts, including the differences between classical and operant conditioning, shaping processes, and principles like generalization and discrimination. This quiz will challenge your knowledge on important psychological theories and their applications, particularly in learning behaviors.