Psychology of Learning

Question 1

DEFINE: Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

The process of associating two unrelated stimuli.

Question 2

EXAMPLE of Involuntary Response

Answer 2

An innate response to a stimuli. Screaming when you feel pain.

Question 3

EXAMPLE of Neutral Stimulus

Answer 3

No association or reaction to the stimulus. Hearing classical music (feeling of indifference)

Question 4

EXPLAIN the process of Classical Conditioning

Answer 4

An unconditioned stimulus (food) that produces and unconditioned response (salivating), is paired with an Neutral stimulus (bell) over time builds an association between the unconditioned stimulus and the neutral stimulus to create a conditioned response (salivating) to the now, conditioned stimulus (bell).

Question 5

DIFFERENCE between Contiguity and Contingency.

Answer 5

Contiguity: The time interval between the unconditioned response and the neutral stimulus to create an association.

Contingency: The likelihood that an event will follow after another.

Question 6

DEFINE: Preparedness
Give an EXAMPLE

Answer 6

Behaviors that are more easily learnt than others.
Eg. the Garcia effect - people don’t like foods that make them sick.

Question 7

EXPLAIN the process of Operant Conditioning

Answer 7

Learnt behavior through the addition or removal or certain stimuli.

Positive Reinforcement - Adding a positive stimulus when displaying desired behavior.

Negative reinforcement - Removing a negative stimulus when displaying desired behavior.

Positive punishment - Adding a negative stimulus when not performing behaviour.

Negative Punishment - Removing a positive stimulus when not performing behaviour.

Question 8

EXAMPLE of Positive reinforcement

Answer 8

Adding something good. Giving candy for doing chores.

Question 9

EXAMPLE of Negative Punishment

Answer 9

Taking away something good. Taking away a toy for misbehaving.

Question 10

EXAMPLE of Positive Punishment

Answer 10

Giving something bad. Smacking for swearing.

Question 11

EXAMPLE of Negative reinforcement

Answer 11

Taking away something bad. Medicine for a migraine.

Question 12

EXPLAIN behavior modification therapy

Answer 12

A set of therapies based on operant conditioning principles. Positive reinforcement is most effective.

Question 13

DEFINE: Observational Learning

Answer 13

The process of learning by watching the behavior of others.

Question 14

STATE the Key factors of observational learning

Answer 14

A - Attention: You cannot learn unless you are paying attention.

R - Retention: Must be placed in memory

R - Reproduction: Must be able to do the behavior.

M - Motivation: Must want to do the behaviour.

Question 15

DEFINE: Mirror Neurons

Answer 15

A neuron that fires when a person does the action and when the person sees the action being done by someone else.

Question 16

What factors affect Observational Learning?

Answer 16

Developmental status: The older the observer the more capable they are of reproducing the models’ actions.

Model prestige and competence: Observers pay more attention to models of high status.

Vicarious Consequence: The consequences that follow that behaviour.

Outcome expectation: Observers are more motivated if they see the model being rewarded for their behaviour.

Goal Setting: Observers are more likely to observe models who will help them achieve personal goals. Motivation.

Self-efficacy: Observers are most likely to follow models they believe they can imitate. Replicability.