Psychology Learning Types

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary finding from Tolman's experiments with rats in the maze?

Rats can develop a cognitive map even without a reward. (correct)

Rats take longer to learn without any rewards.

Rats learn how to navigate mazes only when rewarded.

Rats only remember the maze layout for a short period.

What is meant by 'latent learning' as described in the studies with rats?

Learning that requires constant reinforcement for retention.

Learning that occurs only through trial and error.

Learning that is demonstrated immediately after reinforcement.

Learning that is not observed until there is a reason to demonstrate it. (correct)

What characterizes insight problem solving according to the gestalt approach?

It involves sudden realization or an 'A ha!' moment. (correct)

It relies on methodical trial and error.

It requires a lengthy process of exploration.

It can only be achieved through external rewards.

What role does reconstruction play in insight problem solving?

It is crucial for sudden insight to occur. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the rats that explored the maze with no reinforcement after they were motivated by food?

They successfully navigated the maze as quickly as rewarded rats. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of classical conditioning?

Learning to make an involuntary response to a different stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What type of stimulus is known to elicit a reflexive response without prior learning?

Unconditioned stimulus Signup and view all the answers

In the context of classical conditioning, what becomes of the neutral stimulus after it is paired with the unconditioned stimulus?

It becomes a conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms describes the reaction elicited by the conditioned stimulus?

Conditioned response Signup and view all the answers

What does the unconditioned response (UCR) represent in classical conditioning?

An innate reaction to an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Who was a key figure in the development of classical conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines a neutral stimulus (NS) in classical conditioning?

A stimulus that does not naturally elicit a response. Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what is the role of the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

To trigger a reflexive reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning?

It naturally elicits a response. Signup and view all the answers

Which is a characteristic of the conditioned stimulus?

It elicits a response after being associated with the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus discrimination in classical conditioning?

Responding differently to various similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does repeated presentation of the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus have?

It leads to extinction of the conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about stimulus generalization?

It results in response to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle states that the conditioned stimulus must come before the unconditioned stimulus?

Timing Principle. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the process of extinction in classical conditioning?

The conditioned response gradually weakens when the unconditioned stimulus is not paired. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response?

A natural reaction to an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic must the conditioned stimulus possess during conditioning?

It must be attention capturing. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?

The return of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a rest period. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

To increase the future occurrences of a behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes positive reinforcement?

Adding a desirable stimulus to enhance a behavior. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of behavior modification, what role does negative reinforcement play?

It involves avoiding negative outcomes to increase a specific behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is shaping in the context of behavior modification?

Rewarding successive approximations of a target behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements reflects a common misconception about punishment in operant conditioning?

Punishment provides a positive outcome to reinforce behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of removing an undesirable stimulus in negative reinforcement?

It increases the likelihood of the behavior repeating in the future. Signup and view all the answers

What type of punishment is described when a model is punished, decreasing the learner's motivation to imitate the behavior?

Vicarious punishment Signup and view all the answers

According to Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment, which scenario makes children less likely to behave aggressively towards the doll?

Model is punished Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of child abuse victims reportedly become abusive parents?

30% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors has research suggested may also contribute to aggression, beyond exposure to violent media?

Mental health Signup and view all the answers

What is one criticism of the research linking violent media exposure to aggression?

It does not take into account other risk factors. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of learning theories, what is suggested about learning that occurs without punishment or reward?

It can still occur through exploration. Signup and view all the answers

According to Bandura's early studies, what effect does exposure to television violence have on children?

It increases aggressive behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the behavior of children who witness aggressive acts by their parents?

They often imitate violent behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of progressively reinforcing behaviors that are closer to a desired behavior called?

Shaping Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a primary reinforcer?

A reinforcer that has innate reinforcing qualities Signup and view all the answers

In shaping, after reinforcing a response that closely resembles the desired behavior, what is the next step?

Reinforce the response that resembles the desired behavior even more closely Signup and view all the answers

What happens when reinforcement is discontinued?

The behavior will eventually stop Signup and view all the answers

Which option is an example of a secondary reinforcer?

Praise Signup and view all the answers

Which reinforcement schedule is the most effective for teaching a new behavior?

Continuous reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What does partial reinforcement refer to?

Reinforcement given intermittently, not every time Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reinforcer is linked to primary reinforcers for its value?

Secondary reinforcer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning: Definition and Types

Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience or practice.
Learning is categorized as behavior modification, encompassing: Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning (Instrumental Conditioning), Skill Learning (Motor Learning), Observational Learning, and Cognitive Learning Theory.

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning involves learning to associate an involuntary response with a new stimulus.
Key elements include:
- Unconditioned stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that naturally elicits a reflexive response (e.g., food).
- Unconditioned response (UCR): A natural, unlearned reaction to the UCS (e.g., salivation).
- Neutral stimulus (NS): A stimulus that does not initially elicit a response.
- Conditioned stimulus (CS): Initially a neutral stimulus, after repeated pairing with the UCS, elicits a response.
- Conditioned response (CR): A learned response to the CS (e.g., salivation to the bell).
Classical conditioning history includes Pavlov (late 19th-early 20th century) and John B. Watson (20th century).
Important principles include: CS must precede UCS, short time gap between CS and UCS, repeated pairings, and CS must be attention-capturing.
Processes like stimulus discrimination (responding differently to similar, but distinct stimuli) and stimulus generalization (responding similarly to similar stimuli) result from classical conditioning.

Classical Conditioning: Elements In Action

During training, the NS and UCS are repeatedly paired.
The NS transforms into the CS.
The CR is the behavior elicited by the CS.

Some Principles of Classical Conditioning

The CS must precede the UCS.
The time gap between CS and UCS must be short.
Repetition is key during the training or acquisition phase.
The CS should be attention-grabbing.

Stimulus Discrimination and Generalization

Stimulus discrimination is an organism responding differently to various similar, but distinct stimuli.
Stimulus generalization is an organism responding similarly to similar stimuli.

Extinction and Spontaneous Recovery

Extinction: Gradual weakening and disappearance of a CR when the CS is presented repeatedly without the UCS.
Spontaneous recovery: Return of a previously extinguished CR following a rest period.

Higher-Order Conditioning

Second-order conditioning is a form where a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus after being paired with a previously conditioned stimulus. Classical conditioning is a type of associative learning.

Operant Conditioning (Instrumental Conditioning)

Operant conditioning focuses on how consequences influence future behavior.
Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior.
Punishment decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
Reinforcement and punishment can be either positive (adding a stimulus) or negative (removing a stimulus).

Reinforcement Schedules

Continuous reinforcement: reinforcer is given each time the behavior occurs
Partial reinforcement: reinforcer is not given each time
Different schedules result in different response patterns. Fixed interval, variable interval, fixed ratio, variable ratio.

Shaping

Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior, making it easier to develop complex behaviors.
Shaping is important when the target behavior is complex.

Primary and Secondary Reinforcement

Primary reinforcers have innate reinforcing qualities (e.g., food, water).
Secondary reinforcers gain reinforcing qualities through association with primary reinforcers (e.g., money, praise).

Behavior Modification

Increasing a behavior: Positive reinforcement (adding a desirable stimulus) or negative reinforcement (removing an unpleasant stimulus).
Decreasing a behavior: Positive punishment (adding an unpleasant stimulus) or negative punishment (removing a desirable stimulus).

Observational Learning (Modeling)

Observational Learning: Learning by observing others and imitating their behaviors.
Models can be live, verbal, or symbolic.
Steps include attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.
Vicarious reinforcement and punishment affect motivation to imitate.

Cognitive Learning Theory

Emphasis is on mental processes involved in learning.
Latent learning suggests learning can occur without evident reinforcement. Gestalt approach: Insight problem-solving.

Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness describes a state where an organism seems to have no control over negative or threatening events.
This can result in learned helplessness where individuals give up trying to overcome negative outcomes.

Additional Notes

Several studies, experiments, and real-world examples are mentioned. The text contains important figures and tables; although they aren't included here, students should refer to the images and tables to build a complete understanding.

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Description

Explore the various definitions and types of learning in this quiz. Dive into concepts such as classical conditioning and behavior modification, and discover how different stimuli interact within the learning process. Test your understanding of these foundational psychological principles.