Classical & Operant Conditioning

Identify the situation in which a conditioned response might become extinct?

When the participant no longer associates the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus. (application)

What is classical conditioning?

A learning procedure in which associations are made between a natural stimulus and a neutral stimulus. (knowledge)

Explain how the four schedules of partial reinforcement work.

Behavior is reinforced according to fixed or variable reinforcement schedules that are based on numbers of responses or times of responses. (comprehension)

Explain the differences between classical and operant conditioning.

Classical C: 1.always a specific stimulus (UCS) that elicits the desired response. 2. UCS does not depend upon learner's response 3. learner responds to its environment. Operant C: 1. no identifiable stimulus; learner must first respond, then behavior is reinforced 2. reinforcement depends upon learner's behavior 3. learner actively operates on its environment (comprehension)

Explain how punishment has an impact on a behavior.

In punishment, behavior that is punished decreases or is not repeated. (evaluating)

Define operant conditioning.

Learning in which a certain action is reinforced or punished, resulting in corresponding increases or decreases in occurrence. (knowledge)

Why do people feel distress at the mere sight of flashing police lights?

The feeling of distress at the sight of flashing police lights is the result of classical conditioning. You may associate receiving a traffic ticket with flashing police lights. (evaluation)

Distinguish under what reinforcement schedule does a typical slot machine operate?

The schedule is VR because the number of responses determines the rate of reinforcement but the number of responses required varies each time. It is not VI because time is not a determining factor. (anaylsis)

How would you use shaping to teach a dog to shake?

Wait for the dog to move its paw toward you or paw at you on its own. Then immediately hit the clicker and reward the dog with a treat. Repeat this process until the dog can shake on command. (application)

How are generalization and discrimination related to classical conditioning?

When one responds to a stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus, generalization has occurred. The ability to respond differently to different stimuli is discrimination. (analysis)