PSY1002

Question 1

Define “habituation”

Answer 1

A decline in the magnitude of a reflexive response when the stimulus is repeated several times in succession

Question 2

“Classical conditioning”, what is it?

Answer 2

Involves learning about the conditions that predict that a significant event will occur

Question 3

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 3

The renewal of the Conditioned Response through the mere passage of time

Question 4

Stimulus Generalisation

Answer 4

Stimuli that are similar, but not identical to the CS, can elicit the same CR, but to a lesser degree

Question 5

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 5

The differentiation of similar stimuli

Question 6

What factors influence classical conditioning?

Answer 6

Timing
Predictability
Signal strength
Biopreparedness

Question 7

Biopreparedness ?

Answer 7

Individuals are biologically prepared to develop certain conditioned associations

Question 8

Define “phobia”

Answer 8

Irrational fears of objects or situations

Question 9

Define “fetishes”

Answer 9

Unusual sexual attachments to inanimate objects

Question 10

Operant (instrumental) conditioning

Answer 10

This is when “learning occurs as a result on an individual operating on the environment “

Question 11

Operant response?

Answer 11

A response that operates on the environment

Question 12

What is a reinforcer?

Answer 12

A stimulus change that occurs after an operant response and increases the subsequent frequency of that response

Question 13

Positive reinforcers

Answer 13

Rewarding events that strengthen a response if they are experiences after the operant response e.g. Praise, food

Question 14

Negative reinforcers

Answer 14

Unpleasant stimulus that strengthen a response if they are removed after the operant response, e.g. Pain, threat

Question 15

Punishment

Answer 15

Unpleasant stimuli that decrease a response if they reliably and regularly follow the operant response

Question 16

What is “shaping”?

Answer 16

The reinforcement of any behaviours that successively approximates the desired response

Question 17

What are primary reinforcers ?

Answer 17

Biologically significant stimuli that are inherently rewarding, e.g. Food

Question 18

What are Secondary (conditioned) Reinforcers?

Answer 18

Previously neutral stimuli that, if paired with a stimulus that is already reinforcing, will take on reinforcing properies, e.g. Verbal praise, money, academic grades

Question 19

Continuous reinforcement ?

Answer 19

The reinforcer is administered after every response

Question 20

Intermittent (partial) reinforcement

Answer 20

The reinforcer is not administered after every response

Question 21

List the schedules of Intermittent Reinforcement

Answer 21

Fixed Ratio (FR)
Variable Ratio (VR)
Fixed-interval (FI)
Variable-interval (VI)

Question 22

What are the details of a Fixed Ratio Schedule?

Answer 22

Reinforcer is delivered following a specific number of responses

Question 23

Details of the Variable Ratio Schedule?

Answer 23

Reinforcer is delivered following a given number of responses, but the number of responses varies from 1 reinforcement to next

Question 24

Details of Fixed-Interval schedule?

Answer 24

Reinforcer is delivered for the first response that occurs after some fixed time has passed since the last reward, regardless of how many responses have been made during that interval

Question 25

Details of Variable-Interval schedule?

Answer 25

Reinforcer is delivered following the first response after some period of time, but the amount of time varies

Question 26

What is extinction?

Answer 26

The lack of reinforcement of an operant response and the consequent decline in response rate

Question 27

What is ‘learning’?

Answer 27

Learning is the process through which experience modifies pre-existing behaviours and understanding