Psychology Learning Overview and Classical Conditioning

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of a social dilemma such as the commons dilemma?

It encourages cooperative behavior among individuals.

It creates a situation where personal gain can harm collective well-being. (correct)

It benefits both individuals and the group in the long-term.

It operates under principles of reinforcement only.

Which of the following describes how reinforcement might make people less likely to enjoy a behavior?

Over-reliance on external rewards can decrease intrinsic motivation. (correct)

Reinforcement leads to habitual actions without enjoyment.

Reinforcement increases motivation and enjoyment.

Punishment has greater short-term effects than reinforcement.

How does the prisoner’s dilemma illustrate competitive choices among individuals?

It highlights the tendency to prioritize personal outcomes over collective ones. (correct)

It is based on shared decision-making processes.

Individuals are motivated by long-term group benefits.

It encourages mutual cooperation for maximum benefit.

What principle of learning could encourage acts of kindness in society?

Observational learning through modeling positive behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What role does classical conditioning play in advertising?

It fosters emotional responses that can enhance brand loyalty. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of classical conditioning?

Associating a neutral stimulus with a natural behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines an unconditioned stimulus (US)?

A stimulus that naturally elicits a response Signup and view all the answers

What role does extinction play in classical conditioning?

It diminishes the conditioned response Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

A learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes generalization in classical conditioning?

Reacting similarly to a new stimulus resembling the CS Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the process of discrimination in classical conditioning?

Recognizing the difference between the CS and similar stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Which concept describes the initial association made during classical conditioning?

Acquisition Signup and view all the answers

Who is primarily associated with the development of classical conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov Signup and view all the answers

What principle explains why responses with pleasant outcomes occur more frequently?

Law of effect Signup and view all the answers

Which scientist is credited with systematically studying operant conditioning?

Edward L. Thorndike Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the bar or key in a Skinner box?

To release food or water Signup and view all the answers

How did B.F. Skinner contribute to the study of behavior?

He established reinforcement schedules Signup and view all the answers

What does operant conditioning primarily involve?

Learning through consequences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a Skinner box?

An operant chamber for behavior study Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key objectives of operant conditioning?

To shape behavior through reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'response-shaping' refer to in operant conditioning?

Gradually modifying behavior towards a desired action Signup and view all the answers

What does the law of effect suggest about behavior?

Pleasant outcomes increase the likelihood of behavior repetition Signup and view all the answers

Which outcome is less likely to occur again according to the law of effect?

Unpleasant outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes positive reinforcement from negative reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement adds a stimulus to encourage behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios illustrates negative punishment?

A teenager loses their phone privileges for breaking curfew. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of observatory learning?

Learning to make a cake by watching a cooking show. Signup and view all the answers

In which way does latent learning differ from typical operant conditioning?

Latent learning is not demonstrated until motivation is present. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines insight learning?

The sudden understanding of a problem's solution. Signup and view all the answers

What type of reinforcement schedule is characterized by providing rewards after a specific number of responses?

Fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a likely effect of playing violent video games according to the research mentioned?

Significantly more violent responses to nonviolent stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of positive punishment?

To reduce unwanted behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which learning theory did Bandura's Bobo doll experiment primarily illustrate?

Observational learning. Signup and view all the answers

How does the continuous reinforcement schedule differ from the partial reinforcement schedule?

Partial reinforcement rewards behaviors less frequently than continuous reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the phenomenon when a conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without reinforcement, leading to a reduction in response?

Extinction Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when the conditioned response occurs again after a pause when the conditioned stimulus is presented alone?

Spontaneous recovery Signup and view all the answers

How does generalization in classical conditioning manifest in responses to stimuli?

Responses occur with stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus during acquisition?

They are repeatedly paired together, and behavior increases. Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what does discrimination allow an organism to do?

Respond differently to similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological disorder represents a case of classical conditioning linked to a traumatic experience?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What could be an example of the unconditioned stimulus in a classical conditioning scenario involving food?

The food itself that elicits a natural response. Signup and view all the answers

What term is used for the tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus?

Generalization Signup and view all the answers

In Pavlov's experiment, which of the following was typically the conditioned stimulus?

The sound of a bell before the food Signup and view all the answers

During extinction, what is the expected outcome when a conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus?

A gradual decrease in conditioned responses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Learning

Learning is a relatively permanent change in knowledge or behavior resulting from experience.
It's a crucial human capacity for creating effective lives and adapting to change.
Learning principles explain social interactions, including complex social dilemmas.

Classical Conditioning

Learning objectives include understanding Pavlov's early work, and the concepts of classical conditioning.
Classical conditioning involves associating a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that naturally produces a behavior.
Key components:
- Unconditioned Stimulus (US) - triggers a natural response.
- Unconditioned Response (UR) - the natural response to US.
- Conditioned Stimulus (CS) - a previously neutral stimulus that, after association, triggers a response.
- Conditioned Response (CR) - the learned response to the CS.
Conditioning involves repeated pairings of the US and CS to create an association.
Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus, weakening the conditioned response.
Generalization is the tendency to respond to similar stimuli as the conditioned stimulus.
Discrimination is the tendency to respond differently to similar but not identical stimuli.

Operant Conditioning

Learning principles of operant conditioning outline how reinforcement and punishment influence behavior.
Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior, leading to new actions.
The organism learns from the consequences of its actions.
Key figures in operant conditioning include Edward Thorndike - who discovered the law of effect - and B.F. Skinner- who created the Skinner box to study this further.
Types of reinforcement and punishment: positive reinforcement (add a pleasant stimulus to strengthen behavior); negative reinforcement (remove an unpleasant stimulus to strengthen behavior); positive punishment (add an unpleasant stimulus to weaken behavior); negative punishment (remove a pleasant stimulus to weaken behavior).
Reinforcement schedules include Fixed-ratio, Variable-ratio, Fixed-interval, and Variable-interval.

Learning by Insight and Observation

Learning by insight involves a sudden understanding of a solution.
Latent learning is learning that isn't reinforced or demonstrated until there's a motivating factor.
Observational learning is learning by observing the behavior of others.
Albert Bandura's work with the Bobo doll experiment shows the implications of observing others.

Application and Research

Learning principles can be applied to understand and change everyday behaviors.
Social dilemmas, such as the prisoner's dilemma, are explored in the context of reinforcement and punishment.
Research on violence and video games show an association between exposure to violent video games and aggressive behavior.

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Description

Explore the principles of learning in psychology, focusing on classical conditioning as demonstrated by Pavlov. Understand key concepts including unconditioned and conditioned stimuli and responses. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of how learning shapes behavior and social interactions.