Download PSYC 120 Conditioning Homework Name

PSYC 120 Conditioning Homework
Name:
Classical Conditioning
The UCS (unconditioned stimulus) is the stimulus that automatically triggers a bodily
response or emotional reaction. The UCR (unconditioned response) is the response the UCS
automatically triggers. No learning is required for the UCS  UCR. If some neutral
stimulus is present before or during the UCS, it can become "associated" with the UCS and
become a CS (conditioned stimulus) and can come to trigger a similar response. When the
response is triggered by the CS (rather than the UCS), then the response is called a CR
(conditioned response). This response shows that learning (conditioning) has occurred.
1. While you were taking your first shower in the dorms, someone flushed a nearby toilet.
Your comfy shower turned so scalding hot that you had to jump out of the stream of water.
Now whenever you hear a flush while you are showering, you jump out of the way.
UCS ____________________________
UCR ____________________________
CS ______________________________
CR _____________________________
2. People receiving chemotherapy often vomit during or shortly after the procedure. After
several chemotherapy sessions, they begin feeling sick as soon as they enter the treatment
room.
UCS ____________________________
UCR ____________________________
CS ______________________________
CR _____________________________
3. Not-so-clever Margo drank many shots of Rootbeer Schnapps and the alcohol made her
really sick. The next day she popped a rootbeer candy in her mouth, but immediately had to
spit it out because it made her feel so nauseated.
UCS ____________________________
UCR ____________________________
CS ______________________________
CR _____________________________
4. You're involved in a passionate relationship. Whenever you and your honey makeout (and
get turned on), you play your special CD. Now just hearing that music makes you feel kind
of turned on.
UCS ____________________________
UCR ____________________________
CS ______________________________
CR _____________________________
5. Mikey cried after receiving a painful vaccination from a nurse in a white jacket. The next
week his mother couldn't understand why Mikey burst out in tears when the barber (in a
white jacket) welcomed them to his shop.
UCS ____________________________
UCR ____________________________
CS ______________________________
CR _____________________________
PSYC 120 Conditioning Homework
Reinforcement vs. Punishment
Notice how many ways operant conditioning occurs in our everyday lives. For each example
below identify the type of consequence. Remember, in each case a consequence is
something which follows a behavior. Consequences may increase or decrease the likelihood
(in the future) of the behavior that they follow.
PR (positive reinforcement): something good is presented, which encourages the behavior in
the future.
NR (negative reinforcement): something bad is removed or avoided, which encourages the
occurrence of the behavior.
PP (positive punishment): something bad is presented, which discourages the behavior in the
future.
NP (negative punishment): something good is removed, which discourages the behavior in
the future.
1. ____ Police stop drivers and give them a prize if their seatbelts are buckled. Seat belt use
increases in town.
2. ____ A basketball player who commits a flagrant foul is removed from the game. His
fouls decrease in later games.
3. ____ The annoying child jumps up and down, hand raised, yelling "Me, me, me!" until the
teacher calls on her. The child jumps and yells even more in the future.
4. ____ After a good workout in physical therapy, hospital patients are given ice cream
sundaes. They work harder in later sessions.
5. ____ Homeowners who re-cycle get to deduct 5% from their utility bill. Recycling
increases after this program begins.
6. ____ After completing an Alcohol Education Program, the suspension of your driver's
license is lifted. More DWI drivers now complete the program.
7. ____ After Jodi flirted with someone else at the party, her boyfriend stopped talking to
her. Jodi didn't flirt at the next party.
8. ____ The employee of the month gets a reserved parking space. Employees now work
harder.
9. ____ A professor allows those students with A averages in the class to skip the final exam.
Students work harder for As.
10. ____ Making just the right facial expression softens up your sweetie when he/she is mad
at you. You make that facial expression more often now.