Psychology: Learning and Memory

Question 1

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 1

Classical conditioning is the biological and instinctual process to create an association between two unrelated stimuli. The key experiment in this was Pavlov’s Dog.

Question 2

Describe a classical conditioning experiment.

Answer 2

Pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus in order to produce a conditioned response from the neutral stimulus.

Question 3

Describe Extinction and spontaneous recovery in terms of classical conditioning.

Answer 3

Extinction is the process through which the paired conditions no longer stimulate the desired response after time has passed.

This response may suddenly occur again and is called spontaneous recovery.

Question 4

Describe generalization and discrimination in terms of classical conditioning

Answer 4

Generalization is a broadening effect to associate other stimuli to the neutral stimuli.

Discrimination is the ability to differentiate between various stimuli.

Question 5

Who is the founder of behavioralism?

Answer 5

B.F. Skinner.

Question 6

What is operant conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment.

Answer 6

Operant conditioning links behavior to consequences though experimentation. Reinforcement hopes to further improve the behavior. Punishment hopes to stop the behavior to reach a goal.

Question 7

Describe the schedules associated with operant conditioning.

Answer 7

Fixed ratio: specific number until event occurs.
Variable ratio: random number until event occurs.
Fixed interval: specific time until event occurs.
Variable interval: random time until event occurs.

Question 8

List encoding methods of memory from our senses? Order them in strongest to weakest.

Answer 8

Semantic, Echoic, and Iconic.

Question 9

How much can short term memory hold?

Answer 9

7 plus or minus 2 pieces of information.

Question 10

What are some mnemonic devices?

Answer 10

1. Method of Loci: telling a story.
2. PEG System: rhymes associated with number
3. Chunking: organizing information others.

Question 11

What are explicit memories?

Answer 11

Type of long term memory.
Semantic helps with facts.
Episodic helps with memories.

Question 12

What are implicit memories?

Answer 12

Types of long term memory.
Procedural helps to learning how to do something.
Priming helps your brain narrow on context.

Question 13

What are some retrieval cues?

Answer 13

Priming
Context effect
State dependence

Question 14

What is free recall and cued recall?

Answer 14

Free recall is recall without and cues.

Cue recall is associated with cues to make it easier to remember.

Question 15

What are retroactive and proactive interference?

Answer 15

Proactive is when old memories block new memories.

Retroactive is when new memories block old memories.

Question 16

Describe Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 16

AD is associated with loss of acetylcholine in the neurons and amyloid plaques in the brain. Causes loss of recent memory.

Question 17

Describe Korsaoff’s Syndrome.

Answer 17

Due to thamine deficiency in the diet. Caused by malnutrition and alcoholism. Can be cured with thamine shots.

Question 18

Describe Retrograde and anterograde amnesia.

Answer 18

Retrograde is loss of previously formed memory.

Anterograde is inability to form new memory.

Question 19

What does it mean to shape a condition?

Answer 19

Slow, small steps in order to complete an overall goal.

Question 20

Long term memory is made up of:

Answer 20

explicit and implicit memory.

Question 21

Fluid intelligence is:

Answer 21

the ability to reason abstractly and quickly in novel situations

Question 22

What is the process of consolidation?

Answer 22

Converting short term memory into long term memory.

Question 23

_____ memory is remembering to do things in the future

Answer 23

Prospective

Question 24

Describe Decay

Answer 24

Ebbinghaus was first investigator of decay. When we don’t encode something well or don’t retrieve it for a while, we can’t at all anymore. Connections become weaker over time. Initial rate of forgetting is high but levels off over time.