Psychology Learning Theories

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Questions and Answers

What is the principle of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

Behaviors that are punished will never be repeated.

Behaviors have no relation to environmental stimuli.

Behaviors that are rewarded will likely be repeated. (correct)

Behaviors are reinforced only if they are repeated.

Which of the following is an example of a primary reinforcer?

Money

Trophies

Verbal approval

Food (correct)

What distinguishes ratio schedules from interval schedules in reinforcement?

Ratio schedules are based on time, while interval schedules are based on behaviors.

Interval schedules are more effective than ratio schedules.

Ratio schedules are based on number of responses, while interval schedules are based on time intervals. (correct)

Ratio schedules provide constant reinforcement, while interval schedules do not.

What is the function of a punisher in operant conditioning?

To decrease the likelihood of the behavior that led to it. Signup and view all the answers

In operant conditioning, which term describes a stimulus that indicates a response will be reinforced?

Discriminative stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What defines a fixed-interval schedule in reinforcement?

Reinforcement is contingent on the first response after a constant period of time. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes a variable-ratio schedule?

The number of required responses for reinforcement is unpredictable. Signup and view all the answers

How does latent learning differ from traditional learning?

Latent learning occurs without any reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What role do mirror neurons play in observational learning?

They fire in response to the behavior of others, facilitating learning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can enhance the learning process?

Optimal timing and awareness Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of punishment in learning?

It can decrease the likelihood of a behavior repeating. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these best describes a variable-interval schedule?

Reinforcement occurs at irregular time intervals based on a mean. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of implicit learning?

Learning to ride a bike through practice without focusing on the mechanics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary principle behind the Law of Effect as described by Edward Thorndike?

Behaviors followed by a satisfying state are likely to be repeated. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of operant conditioning, which of the following is an example of positive reinforcement?

Giving a dog a treat for sitting on command. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'schedule of reinforcement' refer to?

The frequency and timing of reinforcements given to increase a behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of reinforcement occurs when a pleasant stimulus is removed after a behavior, decreasing the likelihood of that behavior?

Punishment by removal Signup and view all the answers

In the Little Albert experiment, what was the primary conditioned emotional response developed?

Fear of white rats. Signup and view all the answers

Which among the following is a key application of operant conditioning?

Implementing time-out as a consequence for misbehavior. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of reinforcement schedule results in the most consistent response rate?

Variable ratio schedule Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes operant conditioning?

A method of learning that occurs through the consequences of behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reinforcer?

A stimulus that satisfies a biological need. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is crucial for operant conditioning to take place?

The presence of a discriminative stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What best defines a secondary reinforcer?

It is a stimulus linked to primary reinforcers through classical conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

How does extinction in operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning?

It can be more complex and depends on the frequency of reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction between interval and ratio schedules of reinforcement?

Interval schedules are based on time intervals between reinforcements, while ratio schedules depend on the ratio of responses to reinforcements. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement?

The first response after a fixed amount of time is reinforced. Signup and view all the answers

Which schedule of reinforcement is characterized by reinforcement after a random number of responses?

Variable-ratio schedule. Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Edward Tolman contribute to operant conditioning?

Latent learning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes implicit learning?

Learning that happens without awareness of the process. Signup and view all the answers

How does a variable-interval schedule differ from a fixed-interval schedule?

Variable-interval schedules change the length of the interval unpredictably. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main argument made by John B. Watson regarding the study of psychology?

Psychology must adopt a scientific method to be effective. Signup and view all the answers

What is a diffusion chain in the context of observational learning?

A group of individuals learning a single behavior sequentially. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of operant conditioning, what does the term 'law of effect' refer to?

Behaviors followed by a satisfying state are likely to be repeated. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can facilitate learning effectively?

Awareness and attention. Signup and view all the answers

What experimental setup did Edward Thorndike use to investigate learning?

Placing animals in puzzle boxes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Watson and Rayner's experiment with Little Albert?

Albert learned to associate fear with a white rat. Signup and view all the answers

How did the behavior of cats in Thorndike's puzzle boxes change with repeated trials?

Cats became more orderly and efficient at escaping. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect did Watson emphasize as essential for understanding behavior?

The focus on observable actions rather than internal states. Signup and view all the answers

What did B.F. Skinner contribute to the field of psychology?

Operational conditioning techniques. Signup and view all the answers

What principle is demonstrated when animals in Thorndike's experiments become more efficient at escaping the puzzle box?

Gradual reinforcement of successful behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as the reflexive reaction produced by an unconditioned stimulus?

Unconditioned response Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the acquisition phase of classical conditioning?

The conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are paired Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what is spontaneous recovery?

The re-emergence of a conditioned response after a rest period Signup and view all the answers

What does generalization in classical conditioning refer to?

Observing a conditioned response to similar stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a conditioned stimulus?

A neutral stimulus that comes to elicit a response after conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of extinction in classical conditioning?

Gradual elimination of the conditioned response Signup and view all the answers

What does second-order conditioning involve?

Conditioning a new stimulus with an already established conditioned stimulus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key concept of habituation?

The elimination of a response due to prolonged exposure Signup and view all the answers

What type of conditioning did Ivan Pavlov primarily study?

Classical conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of discrimination in classical conditioning?

To differentiate between similar but distinct stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning

Learning is the acquisition of new knowledge, skills, or responses from experience, resulting in a relatively permanent change in the learner's state.

Non-Associative Learning

Habituation: Repeated or prolonged exposure to a stimulus leads to a gradual reduction in responding.
Sensitization: Presentation of a stimulus increases the response to a later stimulus.

Associative Learning

Classical Conditioning: The learning of a new association involving an unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, a neutral stimulus, and a conditioned response.
- Unconditioned stimulus (US): something naturally producing a reaction in an organism.
- Unconditioned response (UR): the natural reaction triggered by the US.
- Conditioned stimulus (CS): initially neutral stimulus that, after pairing with the US, produces a learned reaction.
- Conditioned response (CR): the learned reaction triggered by the CS.
Operant Conditioning: A type of learning where the consequences of a behavior determine whether that behavior will be repeated.
- Law of effect: behaviors followed by a satisfying state of affairs are more likely to be repeated, and behaviors followed by unpleasant ones are less likely.
- Reinforcement: any stimulus or event that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
- Punishment: any stimulus or event that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
- Different schedules of reinforcement (e.g., fixed-interval, variable-interval, fixed-ratio, variable-ratio) affect the rate of behavior.

Key Figures

Ivan Pavlov: Demonstrated classical conditioning with dogs, showing how the environment can control behavior. Rejected the mind as the cause of behaviors.
John B. Watson: Argued that psychology should focus on observable behaviors, rather than mental processes. Rejected introspection.
- Conducted the Little Albert experiment to demonstrate conditioned emotional responses
Edward Thorndike: Studied animal learning using puzzle boxes and formulated the Law of Effect.
B.F. Skinner: Developed the Skinner box to study operant conditioning, focusing on the role of reinforcement. Emphasized the role of environment and rewards in shaping behavior.

Cognitive Elements of Operant Conditioning:

Edward Tolman: Proposed the idea of latent learning in which learning can occur without immediate behavioral changes. Introduced the concept of a cognitive map.

Neural Elements of Operant Conditioning

Brain structures and pathways deliver rewards through stimulation.

Observational Learning

Learning by watching the behavior of others (or models). Includes diffusion chains.
Albert Bandura: Studied observational learning through the Bobo doll experiment. Demonstrated the impact of observational learning on behaviors.

Implicit Learning

Learning that occurs without awareness of the process or products of information acquisition.

Factors that Facilitate Learning

Timing, Context, Attention, Social networking/multitasking, Sleep.

Modelling and Treatment

Modeling healthy behaviors in therapy is effective.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of learning theories, including non-associative and associative learning. This quiz covers habituation, sensitization, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning that shape behavior through experience. Test your knowledge on how these processes influence learning outcomes.