Learning and Memory

Question 1

Fixed ratio reinforcement schedule

Answer 1

Reinforces the target behavior after a specific # of performances

Ex: rewarding every third time the behavior is performed

Question 2

Variable ratio reinforcement schedule

Answer 2

Reinforces after a varying # of behavior performances, but the average # of behaviors before the reward is averagely consistent

Ex: Rewarding after 2, 4, 8, 6 times (the reward comes after the behavior’s been performed 2 times on average)

Question 3

Fixed interval reinforcement schedule

Answer 3

Reinforces the first time a behavior is performed within a time period

Ex: In a ten minute period, the behavior is only rewarded the first time it’s observed

Question 4

Variable interval reinforcement schedule

Answer 4

Reinforces the behavior the first time it’s performed, but only after a varying amount of time

Ex: Might give reward after 60 secs, then 90 secs, then 30

Question 5

What reinforcement schedule works the fastest for learning?

Answer 5

Variable ratio

Question 6

What is the difference between automatic and controlled processing?

Answer 6

Automatic processing occurs with information that’s obtained passively, or that can be learned without conscious thought

Controlled processing occurs with information that can only be learned with active work

Question 7

Method of loci and peg-word system are both mnemonics for remembering lists, but method of loci does so using _____ while peg-word system uses ____

Answer 7

Locations (LOCi and LOCations)

Items on the list are associated with rhyming numbers (ex: one –> sun, “there is an egg in the sun” first word on the list)

Question 8

Sensory memory lasts about ____ second(s), preserves information in its _____ state

Answer 8

1 second

Its original state

Question 9

Short term memory lasts about ____ seconds and has a capacity of about ____

Answer 9

30 seconds

7+/-2 (5-9) things

Question 10

This type of memory is related to short term and is responsible for the ability to keep information in the consciousness and manipulate it

Answer 10

Working memory

Question 11

Long term memory lasts essentially ____ and involves two types of memories: ____ that can be done without saying the actions out loud and ____ that can be told/recalled out loud

Answer 11

Forever

Implicit (implicit/unconscious ability to do them)
Explicit (ability to describe what you’re doing while you’re doing it)