Assignment Question
Create a document and type your response to each of the questions below. The grading for this assignment will consist of three major components, (1) Formatting and grammar, (2) Comprehensiveness and accuracy of the response for question 1, and (3) Comprehensiveness and accuracy of the response for question 2 (see the grading rubric for further details). In the document, please include a heading that includes your name, course and section number, and date. After creating this document submit/upload to the indicated “assignment” folder (each folder is titled by chapter and assignment). Question 1: Explain each of the components of classical conditioning, including unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, and conditioned response. Explain each of the four types of operant conditioning, including positive and negative reinforcement, and positive (by application) and negative (by removal) punishment. Question 2: Choose one of the following learning concepts or theory and provide a thorough explanation of an experiment that provides evidence for such concept and theory: Latent Learning, Learned Helplessness, or Social/Observational learning. To clarify: (1) Provide a brief description of the concept or theory, (2) describe and explain the details of the experiment that provides evidence for this concept/theory. Make sure to indicate the variables of the study and explain the findings.
Answer
Student: [Your Name]
Course and Section: [Course Name and Section Number]
Date: [Date]
Question 1: Components of Classical Conditioning and Types of Operant Conditioning
Classical Conditioning Components:
Classical conditioning is a type of learning where an organism associates two or more stimuli and learns to anticipate events. It involves several key components:
Unconditioned Stimulus (US):
The unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus that naturally triggers an unconditioned response without prior learning. It elicits an automatic, unlearned reaction (Schwartz, 2020).
Example: In Pavlov’s famous experiment, food was the unconditioned stimulus because it naturally caused dogs to salivate.
Unconditioned Response (UR):
The unconditioned response is the automatic, unlearned reaction to the unconditioned stimulus (Schwartz, 2020).
Example: In Pavlov’s experiment, the unconditioned response was the dogs’ salivation when presented with food.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS):
The conditioned stimulus is a neutral stimulus that, after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response (Schwartz, 2020).
Example: In Pavlov’s experiment, a bell (originally a neutral stimulus) became the conditioned stimulus when it was repeatedly rung before presenting food to the dogs.
Conditioned Response (CR):
The conditioned response is the learned response to the conditioned stimulus. It is similar to the unconditioned response but is elicited by the conditioned stimulus alone (Schwartz, 2020).
Example: In Pavlov’s experiment, the conditioned response was the dogs’ salivation in response to the bell (conditioned stimulus).
Operant Conditioning Types:
Operant conditioning focuses on how behaviors are strengthened or weakened by the consequences they produce. There are four types of operant conditioning:
Positive Reinforcement:
Positive reinforcement involves adding a pleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior (Skinner, 1953).
Example: Giving a child candy (pleasant stimulus) to encourage them to finish their homework.
Negative Reinforcement:
Negative reinforcement involves removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior (Skinner, 1953).
Example: Taking pain medication (removing pain, an unpleasant stimulus) after a headache to encourage taking the medication again in the future.
Positive Punishment (by Application):
Positive punishment entails adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of an unwanted behavior (Skinner, 1953).
Example: Scolding a dog (adding an aversive stimulus) when it chews on furniture to discourage that behavior.
Negative Punishment (by Removal):
Negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of an unwanted behavior (Skinner, 1953).
Example: Revoking a child’s video game privileges (removing a pleasant stimulus) when they misbehave to discourage misbehavior.
Question 2: Learned Helplessness
Concept or Theory:
Learned Helplessness is a psychological concept that refers to a state in which an individual feels powerless to change or control their situation, even when it is possible to do so. This learned feeling of helplessness often arises from previous experiences where the individual faced situations they perceived as uncontrollable (Seligman, 1972).
Experiment Demonstrating Learned Helplessness:
Description of the Experiment:
Martin Seligman conducted a pioneering experiment in the 1960s to demonstrate learned helplessness in dogs. The experiment consisted of three groups of dogs:
Group 1 (Control Group):
Dogs in this group were placed in a situation where they could easily escape an electric shock by jumping over a low partition.
Group 2 (Experimental Group – Unpredictable Shock):
Dogs in this group were exposed to electric shocks, but the shocks were administered randomly and uncontrollably, with no way for the dogs to predict or avoid them.
Group 3 (Experimental Group – Predictable Shock):
Dogs in this group received the same electric shocks as Group 2 but had a lever they could press to stop the shocks.
Findings and Explanation:
The dogs in Group 1, the control group, quickly learned to jump over the partition to avoid the shocks, demonstrating their ability to control the situation. However, the dogs in Group 2, exposed to unpredictable shocks, and Group 3, exposed to predictable shocks, showed different responses.
Group 2 (Unpredictable Shock):
Dogs in this group exhibited learned helplessness. They did not attempt to escape the shocks, even when a clear opportunity to do so was presented.
This result indicated that the dogs had learned that the shocks were uncontrollable, leading to a sense of helplessness.
Group 3 (Predictable Shock):
Dogs in this group quickly learned to press the lever to stop the shocks, demonstrating that they had control over the situation.
This group’s behavior contrasted with the learned helplessness exhibited by Group 2.
Seligman’s experiment provided strong evidence for the concept of learned helplessness. It demonstrated that when individuals perceive a lack of control over aversive events, they can develop a sense of helplessness, even when opportunities for control exist.
conclusion
In conclusion, learned helplessness is a psychological concept supported by Seligman’s experiment, which highlights the profound impact of perceived control or its absence on an individual’s behavior and mental state. This experiment illustrates how experiences can lead to learned helplessness, affecting how individuals respond to challenging situations in their lives.
References
Schwartz, B. (2020). Classical Conditioning. In Principles of Psychology (2nd ed.). Worth Publishers.
Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. Free Press.
Seligman, M. E. P. (1972). Learned helplessness. Annual Review of Medicine, 23(1), 407-412.
frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Question : What are the key components of classical conditioning?
Answer : The key components of classical conditioning are the unconditioned stimulus (US), unconditioned response (UR), conditioned stimulus (CS), and conditioned response (CR). Classical conditioning is a type of learning where associations are formed between these components.
Question : Can you provide an example of an unconditioned stimulus (US)?
Answer : Certainly. An example of an unconditioned stimulus is food. In classical conditioning experiments, food naturally triggers a response, like salivation in dogs, without any prior learning.
Question : What distinguishes a conditioned response (CR) from an unconditioned response (UR) in classical conditioning?
Answer : A conditioned response (CR) is a learned response to a conditioned stimulus (CS) and is similar to the unconditioned response (UR) triggered by the unconditioned stimulus (US). The key difference is that the CR is elicited by the CS alone after conditioning, whereas the UR is triggered by the US without prior learning.
Question : Explain the concept of positive reinforcement in operant conditioning.
Answer : Positive reinforcement is a type of operant conditioning in which a pleasant stimulus is added to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior. For example, giving a child candy (pleasant stimulus) when they finish their homework (desired behavior) is positive reinforcement because it encourages the child to repeat the behavior.
Question : Can you provide an example of negative reinforcement in everyday life?
Answer : Certainly. Taking pain medication to alleviate a headache (removing an unpleasant stimulus, which is pain) is an example of negative reinforcement. The behavior of taking medication is reinforced because it removes the aversive stimulus (headache).
Question : What is the difference between positive punishment (by application) and negative punishment (by removal) in operant conditioning?
Answer : In operant conditioning, positive punishment (by application) involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease an unwanted behavior, such as scolding a dog when it chews on furniture. Negative punishment (by removal), on the other hand, entails removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease an unwanted behavior, such as revoking a child’s video game privileges when they misbehave.
Question : What is the concept of learned helplessness, and why is it significant in psychology?
Answer : Learned helplessness is a psychological concept where individuals feel powerless to change or control their circumstances, even when it’s possible to do so. It’s significant in psychology because it highlights the impact of perceived control or lack thereof on behavior and mental state, shedding light on how people respond to challenging situations.
Question : Which experiment is commonly associated with demonstrating learned helplessness, and what were its key findings?
Answer : The experiment commonly associated with demonstrating learned helplessness is Martin Seligman’s experiment with dogs. The key findings showed that dogs exposed to uncontrollable and unpredictable electric shocks exhibited learned helplessness by not attempting to escape even when the opportunity was available. This demonstrated how perceived lack of control can lead to a sense of helplessness.
Question : What is social or observational learning, and can you provide an example of it?
Answer : Social or observational learning is a type of learning where individuals acquire new behaviors and knowledge by observing and imitating the actions of others. An example is a child learning to ride a bicycle by watching their older sibling do it successfully and then trying to replicate the same actions themselves.
