Learning Theory & Therapy

Question 1

Learning process in which neutral stimulus (bell) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (food) to eventually be illicit a particular, desired response (salivation)

Answer 1

Classical Conditioning

Question 2

Example of Classical Conditioning via Pavlov’s dogs

Answer 2

Food (US) –> Salivation (UR)
Bell (NS) + Food (US) –> Salivation (UR)

Eventually, Bell (CS) –> Salivation (CR)

Question 3

When a Conditioned Response occurs to any stimulus similar to the Conditioned Stimulus; Ex: any white object makes Little Albert cry

Answer 3

Generalization

Question 4

The ability to differentiate between a Conditioned Stimulus and any other different stimulus that hasn’t been taught

Answer 4

Discrimination

Question 5

When the Conditioned Stimulus is no longer paired with the Unconditioned Stimulus, resulting in a gradual decrease to disappearance of the Conditioned Response

Answer 5

Extinction

Question 6

Learning process that involves either rewards or punishments to alter behaviors

Answer 6

Operant Conditioning

Question 7

Difference between a Positive vs. Negative Punishment

Answer 7

Positive Punishment: introduce an unpleasant factor

Negative Punishment: remove a pleasurable factor

Question 8

Rewarding increasingly accurate approximations of desired behavior

Answer 8

Shaping

Question 9

A method of learning that consists of observing and modeling another individual’s behavior, attitudes, or emotional expressions.

Four conditions were necessary in any form of observing and modeling behavior: attention –> retention –> Initiation –> motivation.

Answer 9

Observational learning

Question 10

Psychiatric illnesses that are generally created or maintained via classical conditioning include

Answer 10

Paraphilias
PTSD (both classical and operant)
Phobias (mostly classical)

• Others like depression, anxiety disorders, ODD are operant!

Question 11

Tx for Psychiatric illnesses associated with learning theories

Answer 11

1. CBT/Behavioral activation therapy

2. Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic therapies

Question 12

Behavioral tx therapies targets

Answer 12

change in ineffective behaviors and to disrupt ineffective reinforcement schedules

Question 13

According to Behavioral Activation Therapy: Depression is described as decreased reinforcement and increased avoidance. Therefore treatment should

Answer 13

increase reinforcement and decrease avoidance through alternative coping strategies

Question 14

CBT targets

Answer 14

to modify distorted cognition and to change ineffective behaviors

Question 15

Fear gets _____ when we avoid

Answer 15

REINFORCED

Question 16

A learning designed to teach what “needs to be learned” to disconfirm these feared outcomes.

Answer 16

Inhibitory learning