Behaviorism Test

Experimental Method

- independent and dependent variable

- establish cause and effect relationships

Correlational Method

- examines relationships and patterns between variables, without manipulation

- does NOT imply causation

- can use observed relationships to make predictions

Naturalistic Observation

- observing objects in natural environment

- can't establish causes and effect, no control over variables

- there is an observer bias

Case Studies

- In depth analysis of a single individual, group, or event in real life context

- provides qualitative data, but lacks generalizability

- useful for clinic psychology information on treatments

Surveys and Questionnaires

- collecting data from a large number of respondents using structured questions; questions require careful design

- useful when gathering self-reported data on attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors

- response bias is very likely

Longitudinal Studies

- repeated observations of the same subjects over extended period

- studies long-term effects, developmental changes, trends, casual relationships

- downside: time consuming and participant dropout

Cross-sectional studies

- examines different groups of participants at one point in time

- compares different age groups, demographics, and conditions

- downside: may miss developmental trends

- identify correlations not causation

Twin studies

- compares similarities and differences between twins

- studies influence of genetics versus environment

- can prevent insights into heritability of psychological traits and disorders

Meta-Analysis

- combines results from multiple studies to identify overall trends and effects

- helps resolve conflicting findings in literature

Quasi-Experimental Design

- comparison between groups without random assignment

- suggests casual relationships

- no controlled variables

- high likely bias, interpret results with caution

Learning

A relatively permanent behavior change due to experience

Conditioning

Process of learning associations

associative learning

Learning that certain events occur together

- two stimuli or response and its consequence

classical conditioning

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events

Who is associated with classical conditioning

Ivan Pavlov

Behaviorism

The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes

Pavlov's experiment

Saw that seeing, hearing, smelling of food caused dog to salivate

Tested if dog would have same response after creating a link with a neutral stimulus

Neutral Stimuli

a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning

Unconditioned Response

the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (salivation)

Unconditioned Stimulus

a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers a response (food)

Conditioned Response

a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

Conditioned Stimulus

previously neutral stimulus that after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response

Aquisition

initial stage when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that neutral stimulus begins triggering conditioned response

Higher-order conditioning

a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus

Extinction

the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs when unconditioned stimulus does not follow conditioned stimulus

Spontaneous recovery

the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response

Generalization

tendency once a response has been conditioned for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses

Discrimination

learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that did not signal an unconditioned stimulus

Respondent behavior

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Operant conditioning

A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

Operant behavior

behavior that operates on the environment producing consequences

law of effect

Thorndikes principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely

Operant chamber

chamber containing bar/key that an animal can manipulate to get food or water, attached devices record the animal's rate of bar/key pressing

Shaping

procedure that reinforces guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

Successive approximations

give rewards closer and closer to goal behavior

Reinforcer

any event that strengthens the behavior that follows

Positive reinforcement

Increasing behavior by presenting positive stimuli, stimulus that when presented after a response strengthens response

Negative reinforcement

Increasing behavior by stopping negative stimuli, stimulus that when removed after response strengthens response

Continuous reinforcement

reinforcing the desired behavior response each times it occurs, rapid learning, high extinction

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement

reinforcing only part-time, slower learning, low extinction

Fixed ratio schedule

reinforces a response only after specified number of attempts

Variable ratio schedule

reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of attempts

Fixed interval schedule

reinforces response only after a specified time has elapsed

Variable interval schedule

reinforces response at unpredictable time intervals

Punishment

event that decreases the behavior it follows

Cognitive map

mental representation of layout of environment

Latent learning

learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate

- learn from observing

Observational learning

learning by observing others

Modeling

process of observing others

- imitation

Mirror neurons

frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so, the brains mirroring of another's action

- enables imitation and empathy

Albert Bandura's experiment

- child sees adult in room with Bobo doll

- the ones that see aggressive behavior model that same aggressive behavior

Prosocial

positive, constructive, helpful behavior

Antisocial

aggressive, negative, unhelpful behavior

Little baby Albert experiment

- conditioned fear of rat

- repeated: rat brought into room + loud sound --> baby cries

- eventually just rat --> baby cries

What do humans have an aversion to?

taste and sight

Primary reinforcer

a naturally satisfying stimulus, food and water

Secondary reinforcer

gains power through association with primary, money

Number of responses: most to least

variable ratio-->fixed ratio-->variable interval-->fixed interval