week 2: behaviorism

Question 1

behaviorism assumptions

Answer 1

same principles apply to all organisms
no mental explanations
learning = change in behavior
blank slate (tabula rasa)
parsimonious theories: observable and measurable aspects of behavior

Question 2

classical conditioning

Answer 2

Ivan Pavlov
association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response

Question 3

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

Answer 3

naturally and automatically triggers

Question 4

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

Answer 4

unlearned response that occurs naturally in response to the unconditioned stimulus

Question 5

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Answer 5

a stimulus that, initially, does not elicit any specific response

Question 6

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Answer 6

Through the process of conditioning, the neutral stimulus (NS) becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and comes to evoke a response on its own

Question 7

Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 7

This is the learned response that occurs in anticipation of the conditioned stimulus (CS) after conditioning has taken place

Question 8

Operant conditioning

Answer 8

Edward Thorndike en B. F. Skinner
law of effect: the consequences of behavior influence the probability of subsequent appearance of that behavior

Question 9

shaping

Answer 9

process of gradually teaching and reinforcing a complex behavior by rewarding

Question 10

chaining

Answer 10

breaking down a complex task into smaller steps and linking them together

Question 11

extinction

Answer 11

no longer rewarded an decrease over time

Question 12

schedule of reinforcement

Answer 12

pattern of rewarding behavior

continuous: Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses
partial: Reinforcement is delivered after a variable number of responses (more resistant to extinction)

Fixed Ratio (FR): Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses (a rat may receive food after pressing a lever five times)
Variable Ratio (VR): Reinforcement is delivered after a variable number of responses (slot machine might pay out after an average of every five presses, but the exact number varies)
Fixed Interval (FI): Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed amount of time has passed since the last reinforced response (an employee receiving a paycheck every two weeks.)
Variable Interval (VI): Reinforcement is delivered after a variable amount of time has passed since the last reinforced response (checking for important emails)

Question 13

implication of behaviorism

Answer 13

academic associate with pleasurable feelings
punishment more effective when you know in advance
more likely to learn when actively behave and physically interact
learn more effectively when desired behaviors are identified beforehand

Question 14

philosophical behaviorism

Answer 14

only observable behaviors indicate mental state

Question 15

methodological behaviorism

Answer 15

observable behavior is basic of theories

Question 16

practical behaviorism

Answer 16

application of behaviorist principles

Question 17

token economy

Answer 17

It involves using tokens or symbolic reinforcers to reward desired behaviors, which can later be exchanged for meaningful rewards. This system is based on principles such as reinforcement, shaping, and the environmental influences on behavior.