PSC 1 Study Guide - Reinforcement, Classical Conditioning, Observational Learning
Document Summary
Researchers have discovered that in order for punishment to be effective it must be reasonable, unpleasant, and applied immediately so that the relationship between the unwanted behavior and the punishment is clear. For fast learning, behavior must be reinforced each time it occurs (continuous reinforcement). The schedule of reinforcement also affects the persistence of behavior (ratio schedule, interval schedule, fixed schedule, variable schedule). If the reinforcement is stopped, the behavior extinguishes quickly. Fear conditioning: classical conditioning to invoke fear for neutral objects. Bandura"s bobo doll study demonstrated observational learning, the acquisition or modification of a behavior after exposure to at least one performance of that behavior. The results suggested that imposing children to violence may encourage them to act aggressively. Mirror neurons: neurons that are activated when one observes another individual engage in an action and when one performs the action that was observed. Mirror neurons help us explain and predict others" behavior.
