Behavioral Therapies Flashcards
Classical conditioning suggests that learning is…
Learning is the association of things that take place together in time.
Classical conditioning occurs when…
Repeated pairing of a neutral (unconditioned stimulus (UCS)) with one that evokes a response (unconditioned response (UCR)), so that the neutral stimulus eventually comes to evoke that same response (conditioned stimulus (CS) and conditioned response (CR)).
In the Pavlov’s dog experiment, what are each of the following?
Meat powder
Salivation
Bell ringing
Meat powder: UCS
Salivation: UCR, CR
Bell ringing: CS
Pavlov gave the dog meat powder, it began to salivate and then rang the bell. After awhile, only ringing the bell caused the dog to salivate.
What is the process of extinction (using the example of Pavlov’s dog)?
The process of extinguishing a learned response of salivation by exposing the dog to food without hearing the bell. It must be done many times, however.
What is “generalization”?
When other similar stimuli/situations also become the CS for the CR.
Ex: Little Albert is not only scared of white rats, but also anything in white (white rabbits, white coats, Santa, etc.).
What is the process of Behavioral Therapy for Phobia? (3 steps)
Feared stimulus + relaxation = decreased anxiety
Step 1: Object of phobia (consider as a UCS) -> Relaxation (UCR)
Step 2: Relaxation activity (CS) + object of phobia (UCS) -> Relaxation (UCR)
Step 3: Object of phobia (CS) -> Relaxation (CR)
Relaxation examples: meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, hypnosis.
What is the process of Systemic Desensitization?
Step 1: make a list - a hierarchy of fears.
Step 2: select a feared object/situation low on the list and use relaxation to condition it until there is much less fear/anxiety.
Step 3: select a feared object/situation medium, then higher, etc.
Operant conditioning suggests that learning is…
Learning is the association of things that take place sequentially.
Operant conditioning occurs when…
Responses that have a positive effect are likely to increase.
Responses that have an unpleasant effect are likely to decrease.
Define the following:
Reinforcement
Punishment
Positive
Negative
Reinforcement - results in increased behavior
Punishment - results in decreased behavior
Positive - something is added
Negative - something is taken away
Define the following:
Positive reinforcement
Positive punishment
Negative reinforcement
Negative punishment
Positive reinforcement - application of good consequence when behavior is performed.
Positive punishment - application of an aversive consequence when behavior is performed.
Negative reinforcement - removal of an aversive stimuli when a behavior is performed.
Negative punishment - removal of a good consequence when a behavior is performed.
Reinforcements and Punishments must occur…
After the behavior is completed
Why is punishment oftentimes ineffective?
It is often only temporarily suppressed rather than eliminated.
When a behavior is punished in one situation, it might increase in another situation.
Punishment may trigger negative emotional responses and may lead to escape and avoidance behaviors.
Punishment may lead to aggression.
Punishment does not illustrate the correct behavior.
Severe punishment may cause physical or psychological harm.
Ex: spanking
Children who are spanked are more likely to…
Become adults who are depressed, use EtOH, have more anger issues, hit their own children/spouses and engage in crime/violence.
*child may not notice the difference between getting spanked from his parents and hitting another child when he doesn’t get what he wants.
