Approaches in Psychology - Chapter 5

Question 1

Define classical conditioning?

Answer 1

The process of learning through behaviour.

We learn that certain things lead to certain results, creating an association.

Question 2

Define operant conditioning?

Answer 2

Changing the conditioning relationship through reinforcement or punishment.

Question 3

Define the process of modelling?

Answer 3

The process of basing behaviour, style, attitude, etc. On someone we admire and want to emulate.

Question 4

Define vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 4

The strengthening of behaviour by learning from watching other people and their consequences

Question 5

Define observational learning?

Answer 5

Learning by watching others.

Question 6

What makes someone a ‘role model’?

Answer 6

A person who we admire and are inspired to copy their behaviour.

Question 7

what are some features of short term memory?

Answer 7

encodes acoustically
limited to 5-9 items on average
can be stored for between 18-30 seconds

Question 8

what theory supports the idea that STM can only store information for between 18-30 seconds?

Answer 8

Millers (1956) 7 +- 2 theory

Question 9

what are some features of long term memory?

Answer 9

continuous storage of information which is largely outside of our awareness, but can be recalled when needed
if you attend long enough to information in your STM, it can be transferred to your LTM.
coding in this memory store is semantic, this means you have to apply meaning to the information to remember it.
unlimited storage
information can be stored for a potential lifetime

Question 10

define memory capacity

Answer 10

the amount of information that can be held in a memory store

Question 11

define memory duration

Answer 11

the length of time information can be held in your memory

Question 12

what was the digit span test?

Answer 12

Jacobs (1887)
researcher gave a number of digits and letters to participants and they had to recall them all in order
this determined the average humans digit span
on average, 9.3 digit span, 7.3 letter span

Question 13

what did Miller discover regarding chunking?

Answer 13

because the capacity of our STM is 5-9 items we can remember 5 words as easily as we can 5 letters, through chunking

Question 14

Batrick, LTM study?

Answer 14

used year books to research LTM
90% recall after 15 years
70% recall after 48 years

Question 15

define science.

Answer 15

a systematic approach to creating knowledge. The method used to gain scientific knowledge is referred to as the scientific method.