Behaviour Theories - Behaviourist Vocabulary

Match the following behaviourist terms to their correct definitions:

• The use of a familiar stimulus to influence behaviour towards a new stimulus by repeatedly pairing them together.

• Operant Conditioning

• The use of reinforcement, both positive and negative, to influence how new behaviours are learnt and how old behaviours are modified.

• Stimulus

• A thing or event that causes an individual to react.

• Positive Reinforcement

• The removal of an unfavourable outcome.

• Negative Reinforcement

• A reward or praise.

• Classical Conditioning

Fill in the blank: ________ is the use of a familiar stimulus to influence behaviour towards a new stimulus by repeatedly pairing them together.

• Classical Conditioning

• Operant Conditioning

• Habituation

• Observational Learning

Answer explanation

Classical Conditioning is the process where a familiar stimulus is paired with a new stimulus to influence behavior. This method, famously demonstrated by Pavlov's dogs, shows how associations are formed.

Fill in the blank: ________ is the use of reinforcement, both positive and negative, to influence how new behaviours are learnt and how old behaviours are modified.

• Operant Conditioning

• Classical Conditioning

• Observational Learning

• Cognitive Dissonance

Answer explanation

Operant Conditioning is the correct choice as it involves using both positive and negative reinforcement to shape new behaviors and modify existing ones, unlike Classical Conditioning, which focuses on associations.

Fill in the blank: ________ is a reward or praise.

• Positive Reinforcement

• Negative Reinforcement

• Punishment

• Extinction

Answer explanation

Positive reinforcement is a concept in behavioral psychology that refers to providing a reward or praise to encourage a desired behavior. It contrasts with negative reinforcement, punishment, and extinction.

Fill in the blank: ________ is the removal of an unfavourable outcome.

• Negative Reinforcement

• Positive Reinforcement

• Punishment

• Extinction

Answer explanation

Negative reinforcement involves removing an unfavorable outcome to increase a desired behavior. It differs from positive reinforcement, which adds a favorable outcome. Thus, the correct answer is negative reinforcement.

Fill in the blank: ________ is a thing or event that causes an individual to react.

• Stimulus

• Response

• Habit

• Reflex

Answer explanation

A stimulus is an event or object that elicits a response from an individual. In this context, it is the correct term to describe something that causes a reaction, distinguishing it from response, habit, or reflex.

According to Ivan Pavlov's studies, what caused the dogs to salivate during his experiments?

• The sound of a bell only

• The presentation of food and the sight of the lab coat

• The presence of other dogs

• The ringing of a phone

Answer explanation

In Pavlov's experiments, the dogs salivated in response to the presentation of food and the sight of the lab coat, which they associated with feeding, demonstrating classical conditioning.

Fill in the blank: Pavlov conditioned the dogs to salivate in response to the sound of a ______ by ringing it when they were given food.

• bell

• whistle

• drum

• horn

Answer explanation

Pavlov conditioned the dogs to salivate by associating the sound of a bell with food. The bell became a conditioned stimulus, triggering the salivation response, making 'bell' the correct answer.

Which of the following best describes the process of classical conditioning as discovered by Pavlov?

• A) Learning by trial and error

• B) Associating a neutral stimulus with a familiar stimulus to produce a conditioned response

• C) Learning by imitation

• D) Learning through punishment only

Answer explanation

Classical conditioning, as discovered by Pavlov, involves associating a neutral stimulus (like a bell) with a familiar stimulus (like food) to elicit a conditioned response (like salivation). Thus, the correct choice is B.

According to Skinner, free will does not exist and all human behaviour is the result of conditioning.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Skinner's behaviorism posits that all human behavior is shaped by conditioning, rejecting the notion of free will. Therefore, the statement is true.