CHAPTER 3 – Behavioural Principles: Respondent and Operant Conditioning Flashcards
- Define unconditioned reflex. Give two examples of an unconditioned reflex.
- is a stimulus-response sequence in which a stimulus elicits a response without prior learning or conditioning
- E.g., a sudden loss of support (i.e., falling) elicits increased heart rate and body stiffening
- E.g., food elicits salvation
Define conditioned reflex, and describe the example of a conditioned reflex illustrated in the case of Susan, the figure skater at the beginning of Chapter 3.
- is a stimulus-response sequence in which a stimulus elicits a response because the stimulus was paired with a different stimulus that elicited that response
- E.g., Susan approached the take off position for her double-axel, but while mid-air she realized that was was on a tilt and felt herself falling. She immediately felt strong feelings of fear and fell. Now anytime she needs to approach the double-axel jump, she always feel fear, no matter if her technique is perfect.
What are the two other names for respondent conditioning?
- classical
- Pavlovian
State the procedure and result of respondent conditioning
- Procedure:
- Neutral stimulus
- Unconditioned stimulus –> Unconditioned Response
- Result:
- Conditioned stimulus –> Conditioned response
Describe the details of how Susan, the figure skater, was helped to overcome her fear of attempting the double axel jump.
- Susan was prompted by Dr. Martin to skate around the rink and anytime she got into the position where she would normally jump into her double axel, she was to inhale deeply and exhale saying r-e-l-a-x several times around the rink. In doing so, Susan replaced her feelings of fear with feelings of relaxation and was then able to regain confidence in attempting her double axel jump.
In respondent conditioning, what does each of the following stand for: NS, US, UR, CS, CR?
- NS: neutral stimulus
- US: unconditioned stimulus
- UR: unconditioned response
- CS: conditioned stimulus
- CR: conditioned response
In a sentence each, briefly state 5 variables that influence the development of a conditioned reflex.
1: the greater the number of pairings of a CS with a US, the greater the ability of the CS to elicit the CR, until the maximum strength of the conditioned reflex has been reached
2: stronger conditioning occurs if the CS precedes the US by just a second, rather than by a longer time, or rather than by following the US
3: a CS acquires greater ability to elicit a R is the CS is always paired with a given US, than if it is only occasionally paired with the US
4: when several neutral stimuli precede a US, the stimulus that is most consistently associated with the US is the one most likely to become a strong CS
5: respondent conditioning will develop more quickly and strongly when the CS or US or both are intense, rather than weak
Describe the procedure and result of positive reinforcement.
- procedure: the presentation of a reinforcer immediately after a behaviour
- Result: the behaviour is strengthened
Define conditioned reinforcer. Describe two sport examples that are not in this chapter.
- stimuli that acquire reinforcing value
- E.g., getting the ball in the basket from the 3-pointer line in basketball AND getting a strike during bowling
Distinguish between a natural reinforcer and a deliberately-programmed reinforcer. Illustrate each with a sport example that are not in this chapter.
- natural: reinforcers that immediately follow behaviour in the normal course of everyday. E.g., hearing the crowd cheer you on after you’ve scored a goal
- Deliberately-programmed: when reinforcers are deliberately manipulated in order to change behaviour. E.g., a coach determines whether his/her athletes will get scrimmage time or not after practice.
What are two differences between the effects of continuous versus intermittent reinforcement?
- Individuals are likely to work much more consistently on retain intermittent schedules of reinforcement than on continuous reinforcement
- a behaviour that has been i=reinforced intermittently is likely to take much longer to extinguish than a behaviour that has been reinforced continuously.
Defined fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement and give a sport example that is not in this chapter.
- reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of a certain response is emitted
- E.g., a bowler must bowl 5 strikes during a practice before they can take a break
Define variable interval schedule with a limited hold and give a sport example that is not in this chapter.
- a schedule where only one response (rather than a certain number) is required but that response must occur at an unpredictable period of time
- E.g., a coach may check if athletes are practicing their putting drills properly, if so, they can earn points towards a back-up reinforcer (cold treat)
Describe avoidance conditioning and give a sport example that is not in this chapter.
- Learning behaviours that prevent unpleasant events from occurring at all
- E.g., a bowler keep his/her eye on the head pin in efforts to avoid a gutter ball
List 3 differences between operant behaviour and respondent behaviour.
- Operant behaviour:
- Response is more likely to occur
- Referred to voluntary behaviour
- A response is no longer followed by a reinforcer
- Respondent behaviour:
- Response is more likely to occur to the NS, now called the CS
- Referred to as reflexive or involuntary
- The CS is no longer paired with the US
