Chapter 8: The Learning Perspective (Conditioning Theories)

Question 1

The Learning Perspective

Answer 1

learning is responsible for all human behavior and personality

Question 2

Modern Learning Perspective

Answer 2

learning involves both environment and cognitions (thoughts and perceptions)

Question 3

The Behaviorist Perspective

Answer 3

• psychology can only be scientific if it restricts research to observable events
• learning: process in which one changes behavior to fit the needs of the situation better

Question 4

Classical Conditioning Pavlov

Answer 4

learning by temporal association in which two event that repeatedly occur close together become fused in a person’s mind and produce the same response

Question 5

Classical Conditioning Steps

Answer 5

1. bell (conditioned stimulus): no response
2. meat (unconditioned stimulus): salivation
3. bell + meat (repeatedly): salivation
4. after conditioning: bell: salivation (conditional response)

Question 6

Important Processes in CC

Answer 6

1. Acquisition
2. Extinction
3. Generalization
4. Discrimination

Question 7

CC: Acquisition

Answer 7

initial learning of the conditional response

Question 8

CC: Extinction

Answer 8

without maintenance conditioned response will gradually disappear

Question 9

CC: Generalization

Answer 9

conditioned response can be generalized to stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus

Question 10

CC: Discrimination

Answer 10

process by which a person learns to distinguish between similar stimuli

Question 11

Emotional Conditioning

Answer 11

• many unconditioned stimuli elicit unconditioned response that have emotional value (pleasure and pain)
• EC = classical conditioning that leads to emotional response
• preferences, fears etc. are conditioned through association of neutral stimuli that cause emotional response

Question 12

Operant Conditioning General Idea

Answer 12

• process by which a voluntary behavior is modifies by its consequences
• instrumental conditioning

Question 13

Operant Conditioning

Answer 13

• every action has an outcome
• outcome is either satisfying or not
• actions that have satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated
• actions that are not, are not repeated

Question 14

Operant Conditioning Components

Answer 14

• positive reinforcer
• negative reinforcer
• punishment
• response cost

Question 15

Negative Reinforcement Examples

Answer 15

• wet hand: rub hands in towel: water gone from hands
• piping a hot bowl: put on oven gloves: hand are not burned
• remove a stimulus that is not desired

Question 16

Using Operant Conditioning to Shape Behavior

Answer 16

• toilet training

Question 17

Reinforcement Schedules

Answer 17

• continuous: behavior followed by reward every time

- partial: behavior followed by reward sometimes (fixed ratio, interval between intervals of reward)

Question 18

Effective Reinforcement

Answer 18

• fixed ratio: high response rate, but slows when reinforcement ceases (good for new behaviors)
• variable ratio: high response rate that continues without pause, resistant to extinction (most effective for maintenance
• fixed interval: scalloping

Question 19

Reinforcers in Computer Games

Answer 19

positive reinforcers 
- points
- unlocks
- bonuses 
negative reinforcers
- failure to beat the high score 
- decline in death 
- increase of obstacles

Question 20

The Premack Principle

Answer 20

use a high frequency activity to reinforce a low frequency behavior (if you clean your room you can go outside and play)

Question 21

Learning and Irrational Behavior

Answer 21

• random event is followed by a behavior, that is followed by a reinforcer
• cause is attributed to random event/behavior, and therefore is repeated
• irrational behaviors: psychopathology, OCD, anxiety

Question 22

Assessment in Personality

Answer 22

• direct observation
• physiological assessment of emotional responses
• behavioral assessment

Question 23

Classical Conditioning and Maladjustment

Answer 23

• results of erroneous condition of stimuli

- conditioning and counter conditioning

Question 24

Systematic Desensitization

Answer 24

• therapy for specific anxieties

- anxiety-producing stimuli is repeated along with an incompatible response (muscle relaxation)

Question 25

Aversive Conditioning

Answer 25

• therapy for undesirable approach responses

- undesirable stimuli (eg. cigarettes) are presented along with an unpleasant stimulus

Question 26

Operant Conditioning and Maladjustment

Answer 26

• results of maladaptive behaviors being reinforced

- contingency management: reinforce desirable behaviors (token economy, biofeedback)

Question 27

General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)

Answer 27

• Jerusalem and Schwarzer
• assesses perceived self-efficacy
• can predict: coping with daily hassles, adaptation after experiencing stressful life events