General Psychology Module 4

Reflex:

An automatic and natural response to a stimulus.

Stimulus:

Simply something that elicits a response.

Unconditioned stimulus:

Example: Pavlov’s dog did not learn to respond to the food stimulus. Food naturally elicits the drooling reflex in dogs, and this is not a learned behavior.

Conditioned behavior:

Learned behavior.

Unconditioned response:

Unlearned. Example: Salivation is the natural response to smelling food.

Conditioned Stimulus:

A stimulus that you learn to associate with something else.

Example: Pavlov’s dog associating the bell with food.

Classic Conditioning:

A neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that produces a natural response, and the previously neutral stimulus now has the power to elicit the same response.

What is the most common type of human classical conditioning?

Food aversion.

Extinction:

The learned response dies away. If a conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus, the learned response will die away.

However, if the researcher were to begin ringing the bell (CS) and then giving the food again (UCS), the learned response would quickly return.

Spontaneous Recovery:

After extinction has occurred, if the researcher were to begin ringing the bell (CS) and then giving the food again (UCS), the learned response would quickly return. The dog would not have to re-learn the whole procedure again; the learning would occur much more quickly this second time. This resumed learning is called Spontaneous Recovery.

Stimulus Generalization:

Happens when the classically conditioned response is generalized to items that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Example: Stimulus generalization occurred when the dogs responded to a few different tones rather than just one time.

Stimulus Discrimination:

When classically conditioned response is limited to a single stimulus- the organism distinguishes between stimuli.

Law of Effect:

Behaviors that result in desirable consequences will be learned. Operant condition uses rewards and punishments to change behavior.

What are rewards and punishments?

Consequences.

Operant:

Refers to an observable behavior that operates on, or effects, the environment. Operant learning is voluntary and isn’t merely reflexive like classical conditioning.

Trial by Error:

When you learn using trial and error, you keep trying the things that work, and you give up on the things that don’t.

What’s another word for reinforcement?

Reward.

What’s the definition of reinforcement?

Something that strengthens a response.

What are the two types of reinforcement?

Positive and negative.

Fixed Interval Schedule:

Rewards are given after a fixed amount of time has passed. For example, you receive your paycheck every Friday.

Variable Interval Schedule:

Rewards are given after a variable amount of time has passed. For example, bonus points are given in a class a few times a semester. Some of the bonus points are months apart, and others are weeks apart.

Fixed Ratio Schedule:

Rewards are given after a constant number of behaviors. For example, a farm hand is paid 50 cents for every box of fruit picked. If there is no fruit, no money is given no matter how much time was put in.

Variable Ratio Schedule:

Rewards are given after a variable number of behaviors. This is a truly random schedule to the person who is awaiting the reward. For example, a slot machine pays out, on average, once per million plays. You have no idea when it’s actually coming.

Continuous reinforcement:

Involves reinforcing every correct behavior. Example: Every time a child uses the potty successfully. Good when training is beginning.

Intermittent or partial reinforcement:

Reinforcing the majority of correct behaviors. Good way to maintain behaviors that have already begun.

Reinforcement Contingencies:

Relationship between behavior and consequences.

Shaping:

Involves successively reinforcing behavior that is getting better and better at approximating the full desired behavior. By shaping the behavior, you can use continuous reinforcement to build simple behaviors into more complex ones.

The Premack Principle:

Simply a specific type of positive reinforcement. It involves using a preferred activity to reinforce a less preferred one.

Primary and secondary reinforcers:

Reinforcers that are based on an innate need, such as food, water and sex, are known as primary reinforcers. All other reinforcers are secondary reinforcers, and these are learned.

What are primary reinforcers?

Food, water and sex.

What are secondary reinforcers?

Money.

Token Economies;

Involves rewarding people with tokens that can be used to purchase desired objects, are based on the knowledge that secondary reinforcers can also be very powerful.

Punishment:

Something that decreases a response.

Positive Punishment:

Involves giving something to a person or animal in order to discourage a behavior.

Example: Spanking.

Negative Punishment:

Involves the removal or something pleasant in order to discourage bad behavior.

Example: Negative punishment would be grounding the child

Social or Observation Learning:

Learning by imitation. Learning something by watching and imitating others.