PSY1004 Flashcards
What is the independent variable (IV) in the classical conditioning experiment? - Lab 7
Number of training trials
This variable was manipulated to study its effect on the response latency.
What does Pulse (PPG) measure? - Lab 6
Heart rate (bpm)
It senses the heartbeat of an individual.
What does Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) record? - Lab 6
Changes in conductivity of the skin caused by sweat gland activity
It assesses the neural response to emotional stimuli.
What does the Constancy Scaling Theory propose about size perception? - Lab 9
Size perception depends on the perceived distance of an object
This theory explains how we perceive the size of objects based on their context.
What is extinction in operant conditioning? - Lab 8
Discontinuation of reinforcement contingency
This leads to cessation of the previously reinforced behavior.
What is the nose-poke response? - Lab 7
Reflexive approach response caused by delivery of a food pellet to a hungry animal
It ends when the animal inserts its nose into the foodwell.
What is the dependent variable (DV) in the Biopac System experiment? - Lab 6
- PPG
- GSR
- EMG
- Subjective rating of emotion
These measures were analyzed in response to the independent variable.
What were the results of the classical conditioning experiment? - Lab 7
The rat learned to associate the sound of the click with food
This was indicated by a decrease in mean response latency times.
What was the hypothesis regarding the ceiling background in the size perception experiment? - Lab 9
The upper line will appear smaller due to inverted linear perspective
Participants will judge longer upper lines as equal to the lower line.
What does ElectroMyoGram (EMG) sense? - Lab 6
Electrical signals (mV) generated by muscle activity
It measures muscle activation.
What was the hypothesis regarding the wall background in the size perception experiment? - Lab 9
There should be no differences in perceived distance/size
The upper line will be judged as equal to the lower line.
What were the results of the size perception experiment regarding the ceiling background? - Lab 9
Affected perceived size
The 6 and 7 unit upper line lengths were frequently selected as equal to the lower line.
What is classical conditioning? - Lab 7
Occurs when a neutral environmental event is paired with an event that elicits a reflexive response
This leads to the organism reflexively responding to the previously neutral event.
What are punishers? - Lab 8
Events that cause the response to occur less often/intensely/quickly
They weaken behavior.
What are reinforcers? - Lab 8
Events that cause the response to occur more often/intensely/quickly
They strengthen behavior.
What was the IV in the operant conditioning experiment? - Lab 8
Reinforcement contingency (delivery of food contingent/noncontingent on bar press)
This variable was manipulated to assess its effect on the rate of responding.
What is the free-operant procedure? - Lab 8
There is no stimulus that signals the onset of a trial
The animal can respond at any time under prearranged conditions.
What was the hypothesis regarding stress and the four dependent measures? - Lab 6
Stress will result in a significant increase in all 4 dependent measures
This hypothesis anticipated a measurable response to stress.
What was the hypothesis regarding reinforcement in the operant conditioning experiment? - Lab 8
Discontinuation of reinforcement should result in a rate decrease
This suggests that reinforcement is necessary for maintaining behavior.
What are the three types of nervous system activity measured by the Biopac System? - Lab 6
- Pulse (PPG)
- Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
- ElectroMyoGram (EMG)
These measures relate to physiological and emotional arousal.
What is linear perspective? - Lab 9
Parallel lines that converge to meet at a vanishing point on the horizon
This is a visual cue used in depth perception.
What were the results of the operant conditioning experiment? - Lab 8
There was a decrease in the rat’s response rate when reinforcement was noncontingent
This indicated that the learned association weakened without reinforcement.
What were the results of the size perception experiment regarding the wall background? - Lab 9
Did not affect perceived size
The 6 unit upper line length was frequently selected as equal to the lower line.
What is the role of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)? - Lab 6
Automatic response to stressful circumstances
It prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ situations.
- Lab 6What does the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) do?
Returns the system to baseline levels
It promotes ‘rest and digest’ functions.
What were the results of the size perception experiment regarding the railroad background? - Lab 9
Affected perceived size
The 4 and 5 unit upper line lengths were frequently selected as equal to the lower line.
What was the hypothesis regarding the railroad background in the size perception experiment? - Lab 9
The upper line will appear larger due to linear perspective
Participants will judge shorter upper lines as equal to the lower line.
What is shaping in operant conditioning? - Lab 8
Method of successive approximations
It involves adding behaviors of low initial probability to build up to the desired behavior.
What is operant conditioning? - Lab 8
Occurs when an organism’s behavior produces a change in the environment
This change affects the likelihood of the behavior occurring again.
What were the results of the Biopac System experiment regarding PPG and EMG? - Lab 6
Stress had no significant effect on PPG and EMG but resulted in a significant increase in GSR
However, GSR showed a significant increase.
What was the hypothesis regarding response latency in classical conditioning? - Lab 7
Mean latency of response decreases over trials
This suggests that learning occurs over time.
What is a reinforcement contingency? - Lab 8
The relationship between behavior and change in the environment
For example, delivery of a food pellet following a behavior.
What was the independent variable (IV) in the size perception experiment? - Lab 9
Background type
Different backgrounds were used to assess their effect on size perception.
What was the independent variable (IV) in the Biopac System experiment? - Lab 6
Stress (stressful video vs relaxing video)
This variable was manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent measures.
