Basic Psychology

Question 1

What is learning?

Answer 1

Change in behaviour as a result of prior experience or acquisition of knowledge

Question 2

Name the 3 learning theories

Answer 2

Associative
Cognitive
Observational

Question 3

What are the two types of associative learning?

Answer 3

Classical

Operant

Question 4

What is cognitive learning?

Answer 4

Current perceptions interpreted and processed in context of past information to solve unfamiliar problems

Question 5

What is observational learning?

Answer 5

Learning via observation and imitation

Question 6

How does classical conditioning work?

Answer 6

A neutral stimulus (e.g. bell sound) is associated with an unconditioned stimulus (e.g. food), known to elicit a specific unconditioned response (e.g. salvation)

After repeated pairing, the stimulus will trigger the unconditioned response, without the unconditioned stimulus being present.

Question 7

Definition of conditioned stimulus

Answer 7

New stimulus (e.g. bell)

Question 8

Definition of conditioned response

Answer 8

The learned response (e.g. salivation) triggered once association acquired

Question 9

Which form of learning is passive & automatic?

Answer 9

Classical conditioning

Question 10

What is the acquisition stage in classical conditioning?

Answer 10

The period of pairing required between conditioned stimulus and conditioned stimulus till conditioned response elicited

Question 11

What is meant by stimulus preparedness?

Answer 11

Certain stimuli are more likely to become conditioned

Question 12

Define simultaneous conditioning

Answer 12

Conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus applied together

Less effective than delayed

Question 13

Define delayed conditioning

Answer 13

Start of conditioned stimulus precedes start of unconditioned stimulus (ideally <1s delay)

Most effective

Question 14

Define trace conditioning

Answer 14

Conditioned stimulus ends before unconditioned stimulus begins

Least effective

Question 15

Define extinction

Answer 15

If conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without unconditioned stimulus, the conditioned response gradually disappears (not fully!)

Question 16

Define higher/second order conditioning

Answer 16

Learning to respond to a new conditioned stimulus through association with the original conditioned stimulus (not original unconditioned stimulus!)

Question 17

Define stimulus generalisation

Answer 17

Tendency for the conditioned stimulus to evoke similar response after the response has been conditioned

Question 18

What is discrimination in relation to classical conditioning?

Answer 18

Ability to recognise and response to differences between similar stimuli and can be produced by differential reinforcement

Question 19

What is incubation in relation to classical conditioning?

Answer 19

Repeated brief exposure to conditioned stimulus can greatly increase conditioned response strength

Question 20

When did Pavlov describe classical conditioning?

Answer 20

1927

Dogs

Question 21

When did Watson & Rayner use classical conditioning?

Answer 21

1920

White-rat phobia

Question 22

Explain operant conditioning

Answer 22

Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behaviour and consequence (-ve or +ve) for that behaviour

Question 23

What is a positive reinforcer?

Answer 23

A reward reinforces the behaviour and increases the likelihood of occurrence

Question 24

What is a negative reinforcer?

Answer 24

The behaviour removes the unpleasant condition, increasing the likelihood of response

Question 25

Define backward conditioning

Answer 25

The presentation of the conditioned stimulus occurs after that of the unconditioned stimulus

Question 26

Define spontaneous recovery

Answer 26

If the conditioned stimulus is not presented at all for sometime after extinction and is then presented again, the conditioned response will return to some degree

Question 27

Define forward conditioning

Answer 27

The conditioned stimulus prices the unconditioned stimulus

Question 28

Who was the theory of operant conditioning devised by?

Answer 28

B F Skinner

Question 29

Define primary reinforcement

Answer 29

Unconditioned reinforcement. Occurs naturally and doesn’t require learning. Evolutionary, rewards basic drives e.g. nourishment, sex etc.

Question 30

Define secondary reinforcement

Answer 30

Conditioned reinforcement Rewards learned drives e.g. money, praise etc. Invokes stimuli that become rewarding by being paired with another reinforcing stimulus

Question 31

Define aversive conditioning

Answer 31

The use of something unpleasant to stop an unwanted behaviour

Question 32

List the forms of aversive conditioning

Answer 32

Punishment Avoidance conditioning Escape conditioning Covert sensitisation

Question 33

Define punishment as a form of aversive conditioning

Answer 33

A stimulus (usually aversive) that will decrease the probability of response; removal of punitive measure may allow it to act as a negative reinforcer

Question 34

Define avoidance conditioning

Answer 34

Conditioned response prevents an adverse event occurring (seen in OCD)

Question 35

Define escape conditioning

Answer 35

Conditioned response provides escape from the adverse event (seen in phobias; extremely resistant to extinction)

Question 36

What is covert sensitisation?

Answer 36

Aversive conditioning performed in the imagination