Basic psychology

Question 1

Broadly there are three types of learning.

1. Associative learning
2. Cognitive learning
3. ___ learning

Answer 1

Observational learning

E.g. Bobo the doll experiment by Albert Bandura (1961). Children watched somebody behaving aggressively towards a doll, punching and kicking it, yelling ‘hit it!’ Some children learned and performed this behaviour when they were frustrated.

Question 2

Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are examples of ___ learning.

Answer 2

Associative

Question 3

In classical conditioning, an unconditioned stimulus naturally sets off an ___ ___.

Answer 3

Unconditioned response

E.g. Salivation in response to food

Question 4

A ___ ___ is a neutral stimulus that becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus, triggering a conditioned response.

Answer 4

Conditioned stimulus

E.g. The bell in Pavlov’s experiments (conditioned stimulus) has been associated with food, which leading to salivation in the dogs (conditioned response).

Question 5

Developed by Joseph Wolpe in the 1950’s, used to treat phobias and other anxiety disorders

Answer 5

Systematic desensitization/graduated exposure therapy

This is a Pavlovian therapy that uses the concepts of reciprocal inhibition and counter conditioning. The feared stimulus becomes associated with relaxation/coping.

1. A fear hierarchy established
2. Relaxation and coping techniques are learnt
3. Counter conditioning is established - the patient is exposed to the lowest item on the hierarchy, and asked to completely relax. If they are able to, the next item is shown. If they are unable to, the same item is repeated.

Question 6

A diminished innate response to a frequent and repeated stimulus of little consequence.

Answer 6

Habituation

E.g. prairie dogs getting used to human footsteps, which no longer elicits a fear response. The opposite is sensitisation.

Question 7

Insight learning and latent learning are examples of ___ learning.

Answer 7

Cognitive learning

Insight learning: spontaneous cognitive remodelling, sudden ‘aha!’ moment (e.g. solving a maths equation).

Latent learning: learning that is not immediately apparent nor expressed in an overt response.

Question 8

Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory emphasises which type of learning?

Answer 8

Observational learning

Mediated by:
Attention
Memory
Imitation
Motivation
('Am I Motivated?')

Bobo the doll experiment (1961)

Question 9

In operant conditioning/associative learning, schedules of reinforcement lead to different behavioural patterns.

Fixed interval reinforcement is good at maintaining a conditioned response. T/F

Answer 9

False.

In fixed interval reinforcement, the conditioned response is poorly maintained. Response rate only increases at expected time of reward (e.g. a mouse that is fed every morning will not press the lever during the night).

In variable interval reinforcement is very good at maintaining a conditioned response (e.g. pokies addiction).

Question 10

In operant conditioning/associative learning, schedules of reinforcement lead to different behavioural patterns.

Fixed ratio reinforcement is good at maintaining a speedy response rate. T/F

Answer 10

True.

Fixed ratio reinforcement is effective at maintaining a rapid response rate (e.g. factory workers).

Variable ratio reinforcement produces a relatively constant rate of response.

Question 11

Skinner is associated with which type of learning?

Answer 11

Operant conditioning (Skinner’s box)

Question 12

Pavlov is associated with which type of learning?

Answer 12

Classical conditioning

Question 13

The ___ principles of visual perception postulate that perception of the whole differs from the perception of the parts

Answer 13

Gestalt principles of perception

continuity: interrupted line perceived as continuous
closure: incomplete outline perceived as whole
proximity: juxtaposed items grouped together
similarity: grouping of items that look alike
simplicity: preference given to most basic percept possible based on the available information

Question 14

Which law states that the smallest perceivable change in a stimulus (the Just Noticeable Difference) is a constant ratio of the original stimulus? What is the ratio?

Answer 14

Weber’s law

Weber’s constant=0.1
For a change to be perceived, the JND is 10% of the original stimulus. If you were lifting a 5kg weight, the JND would be 0.5kg (i.e. 5.5kg to notice any difference)

Question 15

The ability to perceive an object as being the same despite different viewing conditions is known as object ___.

Answer 15

Object constancy

Question 16

The tendency to perceive things in certain way, to notice certain aspects and ignore others, based on expectations. This is known as ___ ___.

Answer 16

Perceptual set

Also influenced by experience, personality and emotion.

Question 17

The word WHITE is written in green. Instead of saying WHITE, a man with frontal lobe injury says GREEN. This interference of conscious process by deeply rooted automatic processing is known as the ___ effect.

Answer 17

Stroop effect

Used in frontal lobe assessment. A disinhibited individual has difficulty suppressing an automatic response.

Question 18

The learning of new information is known as ___ memory.

Answer 18

Anterograde

Question 19

Recall of previously known information is known as ___ memory.

Answer 19

Retrograde

Question 20

The memory process involves registration, storage and ___ of information.

Answer 20

Retrieval

Question 21

Sensory memory is large in capacity, unanalysed, unconscious and long in duration. T/F?

Answer 21

False.

Sensory memory is large in capacity, unanalysed, unconscious and SHORT in duration. It is the shortest-term element of memory.
echoic – auditory (up to 2 s)
iconic – visual (0.5s)
haptic – touch

Question 22

Short term memory fades quickly (within 20-30 seconds), unless rehearsed, typically by repetition. T/F?

Answer 22

True

Question 23

Which hemisphere of the brain are visual memories stored?

Answer 23

Right

Question 24

Which hemisphere of the brain are verbal memories stored?

Answer 24

Left

Question 25

Long-term memory is theoretically unlimited in capacity. T/F?

Answer 25

True.

Unlike short-term memory, which is finite in capacity (7+/-2) units of information. Requires a few minutes for consolidation. Coding is primarily semantic and requires motivation. Storage and retrieval require effort.

Question 26

Long-term memory is either declarative (expressed through language, divided into episodic and semantic), or ___ (expressed through action).

Answer 26

Procedural

Question 27

Autobiographical memory for events and places is known as ___ memory.

Answer 27

Episodic

Question 28

Vocabulary, meanings and significance are examples of what type of memory?

Answer 28

Semantic

Question 29

Accurate recollection is more likely if the item is one of the first or last things to be learnt. T/F?

Answer 29

True

Primacy and recency effects.
Primacy: initial items receive most consolidation.
Recency: information is still in short-term memory.

Question 30

Memories fade with time. Information from STM is lost before being transferred to LTM, or information from LTM is lost if not used for a long time. This is known as ___ theory.

Answer 30

Decay theory