Psychology Test 4: Classical Conditioning

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Questions and Answers

Give an example of classical conditioning that illustrates acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalization, and stimulus discrimination.

When a person receives ice cream, they salivate (acquisition). If only the bowl is brought without food, salivation stops (extinction). If the bowl is brought back with food, salivation begins again (spontaneous recovery). If a larger bowl is brought, the human still salivates (stimulus generalization), but a plate brings no response (stimulus discrimination).

Identify the unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, and conditioned response in the classical conditioning example.

Unconditioned stimulus: ice cream; Unconditioned response: salivation; Conditioned stimulus: glass ice cream bowl; Conditioned response: salivation.

What is the distinction between reinforcement and punishment?

Reinforcement increases the probability of behavior, while punishment decreases it.

Give an example that shows the use of a positive reinforcer.

Paying the person that paints your house. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example that shows the use of a negative reinforcer.

Fasten seat-belt to stop the beeping noise. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example that shows the use of positive punishment.

Spray water on a dog to stop them from barking. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example that shows the use of negative punishment.

Take away driving privileges for a misbehaving teen. Signup and view all the answers

What is associated in classical conditioning?

Two stimuli are associated. Signup and view all the answers

What is associated in operant conditioning?

A response and its consequences are associated. Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction between a primary reinforcer and a secondary reinforcer?

Primary reinforcer: innately reinforcing stimulus that satisfies a biological need; Secondary reinforcer: gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four basic schedules of reinforcement?

Fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, variable interval. Signup and view all the answers

When does reinforcement occur in fixed ratio schedules?

After every nth behavior. Signup and view all the answers

When does reinforcement occur in variable ratio schedules?

After an unpredictable number of behaviors (on average). Signup and view all the answers

Which schedules of reinforcement produce the highest rates of response?

Fixed ratio and variable ratio schedules. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand schedules of reinforcement?

They can define how often a desired response will be reinforced. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of operant conditioning.

Saying please (response), getting a cookie (consequence), and then saying please more (behavior strengthened). Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of extinction in operant conditioning.

When reinforcement stops, such as a candy machine failing to deliver a chocolate bar, leading to stopped behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of shaping with respect to operant conditioning.

A child whining to get something, and the parent gives in, reinforcing the behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of stimulus control.

If you are talkative with your friends but never speak out in a classroom, your speech behavior is controlled by your social environment. Signup and view all the answers

Name three problems with the use of punishment.

Teaches discrimination among situations, teaches fear, physical punishment. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning involves learning through the association of stimuli, with key processes including acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalization, and stimulus discrimination.
Example: Salivation occurs when a person sees an ice cream bowl (acquisition), but stops if the bowl is presented without ice cream (extinction). When the bowl is presented with ice cream again, salivation resumes (spontaneous recovery). A larger bowl also elicits salivation (stimulus generalization), while a different object like a plate does not elicit a response (stimulus discrimination).

Components of Classical Conditioning

Unconditioned Stimulus: Ice cream
Unconditioned Response: Salivation to ice cream
Conditioned Stimulus: Ice cream bowl
Conditioned Response: Salivation to the bowl

Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Reinforcement: Increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
Punishment: Decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Positive Reinforcement Example

Paying a person for completing a task, such as painting a house.

Negative Reinforcement Example

Using a seatbelt to eliminate the annoying beeping sound in a car.

Positive Punishment Example

Spraying water on a dog to stop unwanted barking.

Negative Punishment Example

Revoking driving privileges from a teenager for misbehavior.

Associative Learning

Classical conditioning associates two stimuli, while operant conditioning links a response with its consequences.

Primary vs. Secondary Reinforcers

Primary Reinforcer: An innately reinforcing stimulus satisfying biological needs, such as food.
Secondary Reinforcer: A stimulus that gains reinforcing power through association with a primary reinforcer, like a light signaling food availability.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Four basic schedules: fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, variable interval.

Reinforcement Timing

Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement after a set number of behaviors.
Variable Ratio: Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of behaviors, averaging out over time.
Fixed Interval: Reinforcement after a set period, responding resumes after the interval.
Variable Interval: Reinforcement after varying time intervals, responding occurs after the interval.

Response Rates

Fixed ratio and variable ratio schedules yield the highest rates of response.

Importance of Schedules

Understanding reinforcement schedules helps determine how frequently behaviors are reinforced, influencing behavior patterns.

Operant Conditioning Example

Saying "please" leads to receiving a cookie, reinforcing polite behavior.

Extinction in Operant Conditioning

When reinforcement ceases, behaviors diminish; for instance, a rat stops pressing a bar if food is no longer provided.

Shaping Behavior

A child's whining leads to a parent giving in, reinforcing the whining behavior over time.

Stimulus Control Example

A person's talkative nature with friends but silence in a classroom illustrates how behavior is influenced by the social environment.

Problems with Punishment

Punishment can lead to discrimination among situations, engender fear, and result in physical harm, negatively affecting behavior.

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Description

This quiz focuses on classical conditioning and its major processes, including acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalization, and stimulus discrimination. Participants will need to provide examples that illustrate these key concepts.