Question 1

The process of observational learning would explain how 3-year-old Ryan knows how to lather up his own face after watching his dad shave earlier that day.

Accepted Answer

Observational learning is the process of acquiring new behavior or information by observing others. In this scenario, Ryan observed his dad shaving and was able to apply that knowledge to lather up his own face.

Question 2

Extinction is the result of forgetting.

Accepted Answer

Extinction in psychology refers to the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response, which occurs when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus. It is not related to forgetting but rather to the process of learning that the conditioned stimulus no longer predicts the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 3

Shaleigh developed a conditioned taste aversion to spearmint gum by chewing it when she had the stomach flu.Later she realized that the experience also gave her a taste aversion to peppermint gum.This is an example of discrimination.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of generalization, where Shaleigh's conditioned response to spearmint gum extends to a similar stimulus, peppermint gum, rather than discrimination, which would involve distinguishing between different stimuli.

Question 4

An unconditioned stimulus is an event or a thing that elicits a response automatically or reflexively.

Accepted Answer

An unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is an event or thing that naturally triggers a response without any prior learning or conditioning. This is the fundamental concept of classical conditioning, in which an unconditioned stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus to create a conditioned response.

Question 5

A key difference between operant and classical conditioning is that in classical conditioning a response is not required for a reward (or unconditioned stimulus)to be presented.

Accepted Answer

In classical conditioning, a response (or conditioned stimulus) is paired with a reward (or unconditioned stimulus) without requiring a specific behavior from the organism. In operant conditioning, a response is required in order for a reward or punishment to be presented.

Question 6

All forms of classical conditioning require multiple pairings of stimuli.

Accepted Answer

Some forms of classical conditioning, such as taste aversion, can occur with just a single pairing of stimuli.

Question 7

Operant conditioning occurs when a stimulus that resembles the conditioned stimulus elicits the conditioned response.

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior (rewards and punishments), not through a stimulus eliciting a conditioned response, which describes classical conditioning.

Question 8

Having a gold star placed on one's spelling quiz would be a secondary reinforcer.

Accepted Answer

A gold star is a secondary reinforcer as it has been associated with the primary reinforcer (e.g. praise, recognition) in the past and therefore gains its reinforcing properties through learned associations.

Question 9

In order for latent learning to occur,there must be reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Latent learning is learning that occurs without obvious reinforcement, which means reinforcement is not necessary for it to occur.

Deck 6: A: Learning