Psychology of Learning

Question 1

A teacher implements a reward system in her classroom. Every time a student completes their homework on time, they earn a gold star. Once a student collects 10 gold starts, they receive a prize such as extra playtime or a small treat. Is this positive or negative reinforcement?

Answer 1

Positive Reinforcement.

Question 1

A person sets an alarm clock that plays a loud, unpleasant noise every morning. The only way to stop the noise is by getting out of bed and turning it off. Over time, the person starts getting out of bed faster to avoid the unpleasant noise. Is this positive or negative reinforcement?

Answer 1

Negative Reinforcement.

Question 2

What is observational learning?

Answer 2

Observational learning is a type of learning that happens indirectly through a process of watching others, and then imitating their behaviour.

Question 3

What is stimulus discrimination?

Answer 3

Stimulus discrimination is the ability to distinguish amongst different stimuli, and respond differently to them.

Question 4

What is stimulus generalisation?

Answer 4

Stimulus generalisation is the spread of effects of conditioning to stimuli that differ in certain aspects from the stimuli presented during the original conditioning.

Question 5

How can you tell if stimulus generalisation has occurred?

Answer 5

If the response is similar to the presence of the original stimulus, stimulus generalisation has occured.

Question 6

What is contingency?

Answer 6

Contingency is the relationship between the stimulus and the expectation that the conditioned stimulus will follow.

Question 7

When does contingency occur?

Answer 7

Contingency occurs after the conditioning has occurred.

Question 8

What is contiguity?

Answer 8

Contiguity is the timing of the stimulus being presented in order for the conditioning to occur.

Question 9

What is crucial in order for the conditioning to occur?

Answer 9

The timing between the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus is crucial for the conditioning to occur. They need to be presented close to one another for the conditioning to occur.

Question 10

What is performance?

Answer 10

Performance is when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer required for the conditioned response to occur.

Question 11

What is the difference between acquisition and performance?

Answer 11

Acquisition is the process of classical conditioning, performance is the final product.

Question 12

When does acquisition occur?

Answer 12

Acquisition is said to occur when the conditioned stimulus ALONE produces the conditioned response.

Question 13

What is acquisition?

Answer 13

Acquisition is the overall process during which the organism learns to associate the two events.

Question 14

What is systematic desensitisation?

Answer 14

Systematic desensitisation is a form of behaviour therapy in which counterconditioning is used to reduce anxiety associated with a particular stimulus.

Question 15

What are the stages of systematic desensitisation?

Answer 15

1. Client is trained in deep muscle relaxation.
2. Various anxiety-provoking situations related to the particular problem are listed in order from weakest to strongest.
3. Each of these situations are presented in imagination or reality, beginning with the weakest whilst the client practices muscle relaxation.
4. The client must progress through all stages.

Question 16

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 16

Classical conditioning is when we learn to associate two or more things together, and anticipate a particular outcome.

Question 17

What are the four elements of classical conditioning?

Answer 17

UCS = Unconditioned stimulus (Lound Bang)
CS = Conditioned stimulus (White rat)
NS= Neutral stimulus (White rat)
UCR = Unconditioned response (Baby Fear)

Question 18

What is extinction?

Answer 18

A produce in which the paring of the stimulus events is discontinued. The decline is gradual and relative to the magnitude of the conditioned response.

Question 19

How can extinction occur?

Answer 19

By either presenting the conditioned stimulus alone or by presenting the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus independently from one another.

Question 20

What is spontaneous recovery?

Answer 20

The reappearance of a conditioned response, following either operant or classical conditioning after it has been experimentally extinguished.

Question 21

What is Seligman’s theory of biological preparedness?

Answer 21

That there is an evolutionary response that allows us to adapt and survive.