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Questions and Answers
A student learns that completing homework leads to positive feedback from their teacher. Over time, the student only completes homework for that specific teacher, but not for others. Which principle best explains this behavior?
A student learns that completing homework leads to positive feedback from their teacher. Over time, the student only completes homework for that specific teacher, but not for others. Which principle best explains this behavior?
- Desensitization
- Operant stimulus discrimination (correct)
- Shaping
- Operant stimulus generalization
A music teacher is teaching a student to play a complex piano piece. The teacher starts by praising the student for correctly playing individual notes, then for short phrases, and finally for entire sections. Which method is the teacher employing?
A music teacher is teaching a student to play a complex piano piece. The teacher starts by praising the student for correctly playing individual notes, then for short phrases, and finally for entire sections. Which method is the teacher employing?
- Operant stimulus generalization
- Operant stimulus discrimination
- Shaping (correct)
- Punishment
A child is consistently punished for hitting their sibling. However, the punishment only occurs sporadically, and the severity varies each time. According to the principles affecting punishment, what is the MOST likely outcome?
A child is consistently punished for hitting their sibling. However, the punishment only occurs sporadically, and the severity varies each time. According to the principles affecting punishment, what is the MOST likely outcome?
- The hitting behavior will increase in frequency as the child becomes desensitized to the punishment
- The hitting behavior will be replaced by a different, but equally undesirable, behavior.
- The hitting behavior will quickly decrease due to the inconsistent punishment.
- The hitting behavior will likely persist due to the lack of consistency and predictable intensity. (correct)
A dog is trained to sit when the owner says "sit" and offers a treat. However, the dog also sits when the owner says words that sound similar to "sit," such as "fit" or "bit." This is an example of what?
A dog is trained to sit when the owner says "sit" and offers a treat. However, the dog also sits when the owner says words that sound similar to "sit," such as "fit" or "bit." This is an example of what?
A teenager who frequently plays violent video games exhibits less emotional reaction when witnessing real-life conflicts compared to their peers who do not play such games. What psychological process may explain this difference?
A teenager who frequently plays violent video games exhibits less emotional reaction when witnessing real-life conflicts compared to their peers who do not play such games. What psychological process may explain this difference?
An organization wants to improve employee performance. They decide to provide bonuses for exceeding targets. To effectively shape behavior, what approach should they take?
An organization wants to improve employee performance. They decide to provide bonuses for exceeding targets. To effectively shape behavior, what approach should they take?
A parent wants to discourage their child from yelling indoors. Which approach, based on principles affecting punishment, would be MOST effective?
A parent wants to discourage their child from yelling indoors. Which approach, based on principles affecting punishment, would be MOST effective?
A researcher is studying the impact of media violence on aggression. Which of the following findings would provide the STRONGEST evidence supporting the claim that exposure to violent media increases aggression?
A researcher is studying the impact of media violence on aggression. Which of the following findings would provide the STRONGEST evidence supporting the claim that exposure to violent media increases aggression?
Flashcards
Operant Stimulus Generalization
Operant Stimulus Generalization
Responding to stimuli similar to those that preceded reinforcement.
Operant Stimulus Discrimination
Operant Stimulus Discrimination
Responding when stimuli associated with rewards are present and withholding response when stimuli associated with punishment are present.
Shaping
Shaping
Gradually molding responses to a final desired pattern.
Punishment Timing
Punishment Timing
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Punishment Consistency
Punishment Consistency
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Punishment Intensity
Punishment Intensity
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Media and Aggression
Media and Aggression
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Desensitization
Desensitization
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Study Notes
- Principals of reinforcement and punishment include:
Operant Stimulus Generalization
- The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to those that preceded reinforcement
- Children learn to associate the word "dog" with a particular animal, then generalize the word "dog" to other types and breeds
- A child who is frightened by a man with a beard may not be able to discriminate between bearded men and generalize that all men with beards are to be feared
Operant Stimulus Discrimination
- The tendency to make an operant response when stimuli previously associated with reward are present, and to withhold the response when stimuli associated with nonreward are present
- When a manager is present, employees work faster than when not present; the manager's presence is a stimulus discrimination that controls how fast the employees work
- When Mom is present, the child completes homework, but when Mom leaves the room, the child stops doing homework; Mom's presence is a stimulus decimation that controls the homework-doing behavior
Shaping
- Gradually molds responses to a final desired pattern
- "Baby Steps"
- Reinforcers guide behavior step by step toward a target behavior
- Shaping depends on discrimination, requiring learning the conditions of reinforcement change when moving from one step to another
- An employer might shape productivity by providing positive feedback or rewards to employees by offering commissions or bonuses
Variables Affecting Punishment
- Timing: needs to be done immediately after
- Consistency: give each time a response occurs
- Intensity: severity of consequence, mild vs. severe
Modeling and the Media
- Strong evidence suggests exposure to violent video games and movies is a risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, thinking aggressively, having an aggressive affect, and for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior
- Younger children and those with emotional, behavioral, or learning problems may be more influenced by violent images
- One may become desensitized; a reduction in emotional sensitivity, making people less likely to react negatively to violence
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Description
Explore the principles of reinforcement and punishment, including operant stimulus generalization and discrimination. Understand how these concepts shape behavior through learned associations and responses to different stimuli. Examples illustrate generalization, like a child associating 'dog' with various breeds, and discrimination, like employees working faster when a manager is present.
