Lab Number Two: NAME:______
Theories of Conditioning SECTION:______
-to do this activity you should go to the text website http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_wood_worldofpsy_5
Then navigate to Chapter Five, and from there to Psychology Place Activities
1. Read through the material: Introduction, Background, Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning and Observational Learning
2. Hint: You will find it much easier to do the worksheet below if you do the demonstrations (Buster the dog and Dexter the rat) as well as doing the various self tests (which will provide you with the answers)
Note: You can skip the section on Habituation and Sensitization
Note: You will not be asked to distinguish positive and negative punishment on the exam for this unit or on the worksheet below
Note: I will not ask you distinguish higher order conditioning from standard conditioning
Note: The activity below is NOT identical to Student Activity One at the website.
Summary Activity: Learning in the Real World
Several examples of learning in the real world are listed below. For each example, circle which type of learning is being described (classical conditioning, operant conditioning, observational learning) and explain your choice. If you believe the example describes classical conditioning, identify the US, UR, CS, and CR. If you believe the example illustrates operant conditioning, determine the specific process involved (positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment).
Note: I have underlined the learned behavior
Note: Use your own words to explain your choice (explain why it’s that type of learning as opposed to the other types)
Note: You may find it helpful to refer to the handout that includes the Conditioning Decision Tree
Q1a. One day Mary caught her cat Felix munching on her prized Poinsettias (which are poisonous to cats!). Mary immediately grabbed a water bottle and sprayed Felix with it. Since Felix dislikes water, he has stopped munching the Poinsettias.
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning
b. Explain your choice:
c. If classical conditioning:
US = / UR =CS = / CR =
d. If operant conditioning, circle the process involved.
Punishment Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement
Q2a. A child watches a videotape of his favorite movie while medicated ear drops are administered for a painful ear infection. Later, watching the video alone can reduce the pain.
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning
b. Explain your choice:
c. If classical conditioning:
US = / UR =CS = / CR =
d. If operant conditioning, circle the process involved.
Punishment Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement
Q3a. The first time you try anchovies, you become violently ill. Now, the smell of any fish is enough to make you ill.
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning
b. Explain your choice:
c. If classical conditioning:
US = / UR =CS = / CR =
d. If operant conditioning, circle the process involved.
Punishment Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement
Q4a. A baseball player is in a slump. One day, he taps his bat on home plate three times before the next pitch. He hits the pitch for a home run. He does the same thing during his next turn at-bat and again gets a hit. Now, he taps home plate three times before every pitch.
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning
b. Explain your choice:
c. If classical conditioning:
US = / UR =CS = / CR =
d. If operant conditioning, circle the process involved.
Punishment Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement
Q5a. Every time a mother takes her son to the grocery store, the boy begs his mother for candy at the check-out line. If she says “no”, he whines and cries. Sometimes she gives in and buys him candy so that he won’t throw a tantrum.
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning
b. Explain your choice:
c. If classical conditioning:
US = / UR =CS = / CR =
d. If operant conditioning, circle the process involved.
Punishment Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement
Q6a. A young boy watches Power Rangers alone in his room every day after school. During the show, he practices the karate kicks and punches performed by his favorite character, Billy the Blue Ranger.
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning
b. Explain your choice:
c. If classical conditioning:
US = / UR =CS = / CR =
d. If operant conditioning, circle the process involved.
Punishment Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement
Q7a. An asthmatic patient receives medication for her condition when needed. Later, on vacation, her inhaler is almost empty. A devious friend fills the inhaler with harmless saline solution, and the asthmatic individual still obtains relief from the inhaler in the absence of the medicine.
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning
b. Explain your choice:
c. If classical conditioning:
US = / UR =CS = / CR =
d. If operant conditioning, circle the process involved.
Punishment Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement
Q8a. For two weeks, a man has been working at a job where he has to answer customer complaints on the phone all day. Now, he gets nervous and jumpy when the phone rings, even at home.
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning
b. Explain your choice:
c. If classical conditioning:
US = / UR =CS = / CR =
d. If operant conditioning, circle the process involved.
Punishment Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement