Psy
342 Learning & Memory
Study
Guide for Exam 2
Purdy
et al. Chapters 4 - 6
Chapter 4
Describe Thorndike's "puzzle box" experiments. What was the measure of conditioning? What were the general results? How did Thorndike interpret the results?
How was Skinner's method of studying conditioning different from Thorndike's method?
Distinguish amongst the following terms: reinforcement, punishment, reinforcer, and punisher.
Explain the difference between instrumental versus operant conditioning paradigms.
Define "shaping" and explain its usefulness.
*Be able to define and identify the four types of operant/instrumental contingencies.
*Describe how the following characteristics of the reinforcer influence learning in positive reinforcement situations: amount, magnitude, quality, delay.
What are contrast effects? How was this phenomenon demonstrated by Crespi (1942)?
Describe the four common schedules of reinforcement. What typical pattern of responding is produced by each?
Describe the variables that affect escape and avoidance learning.
*Be able to answer the punishment questions from assignment 2.
*Be able to define and identify the four basic schedules of intermittent reinforcement.
Chapter 5
Explain the difference between stimulus-based theories of reinforcement and response-based theories of reinforcement.
How might the Premack Principle be implemented in "real-life" situations?
Summarize the general ideas behind the following: Thorndike-Hull Hypothesis, Spence-Hull Hypothesis, and Response-Outcome Theories.
Chapter 6
How does Mowrer's two-factor theory account for avoidance behavior?
*Describe the avoidance paradigm developed by Solomon & Wynne (1953). How does two-factor theory account for the animals' performance in this paradigm?
Describe Kamin's (1957) study in which he manipulated the termination of the warning signal in relation to the avoidance response. How do these results support two-factor theory?
*According to the experience of the Brelands, are there biological constraints on conditioning? How did these biological constraints interact with classical and operant conditioning when they were conditioning animals to perform circus tricks?