Describe the process of classical conditioning. Why is it called Pavlovian conditioning? Define the following and give an example of each: unconditioned stimulus (UCS), unconditioned response (UCR), conditioned stimulus (CS), conditioned response (CR). Compare and contrast: stimulus discrimination vs stimulus generalization; extinction vs spontaneous recovery.
What is a phobia? Describe how conditioning could give rise to a phobia or a superstition.
Describe the process of operant or instrumental conditioning. What is Thorndike's Law of Effect? What is an operant? How is an operant different from a conditioned response? What is the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment? What is shaping? What is a discriminative stimulus? Give an example. What are primary and secondary reinforcers? Give an example of each.
Describe the pattern of reinforcement and responding for these four schedules of reinforcement: fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, variable interval.
Why does attempted punishment often fail to bring about a desired change in behavior? What alternatives might we try instead?
BF Skinner said that the explanation of an individual's behavior could be found in the history of the consequences of that behavior. Explain what he meant.
What are Bandura's four steps of observational learning? When are we most likely to imitate behavior that we observe?
What is cognitive-social learning theory? What is a cognitive map? What evidence is there that such things exist?
Describe the stage model of memory (which includes sensory memory, short-term or working memory, and long-term memory). How does info get into short-term memory? How big is short-term memory (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, plus or minus two)? How long does it last? How can you fit more into short-term memory? How can you make it last longer? What is the memory system model? How does info get into long-term memory? What is the size and duration of long-term memory? What limits long-term memory? What is the difference between maintenance rehearsal and elaborative rehearsal? What are echoic and iconic memory? Which lasts longer? Distinguish between explicit and implicit memories. Contrast episodic, procedural and semantic memories.
What is the semantic network model of long-term memory (hint: you say "rose" and I respond "red")? What are retrieval cues? What is the context effect? What is mood congruence? How do schemas help us to remember things and allow us to remember things wrong? What is a flashbulb memory? (Where were you when the Simpson verdict was read?) Are they more accurate than other memories?
Anthony G Benoit
abenoit@trcc.commnet.edu
(860) 885-2386
Revised