Behavior Blueprint Slides BEHAVIOR LAB
The Learning Theory Review
Today's Protocol
01
Master the vocabulary of Classical, Operant, and Observational learning.
02
Distinguish between Reinforcement and Punishment in real-world scenarios.
03
Analyze Case Studies to identify specific conditioning components (US, UR, CS, CR).
Classical Conditioning
The Basic Idea
Learning through association. Two stimuli are linked together to produce a new learned response.
Ivan Pavlov
The accidental discovery of salivating dogs and the dinner bell.
US Unconditioned Stimulus
UR Unconditioned Response
CS Conditioned Stimulus
CR Conditioned Response
Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement
Increases the behavior.
Positive: Add something good (praise, food).Negative: Remove something bad (stop the alarm).
Punishment
Decreases the behavior.
Positive: Add something bad (extra chores).Negative: Remove something good (take phone).
Remember: "Negative" does NOT mean "Bad" — it means "Removal"!
Observational Learning
The Bobo Doll Study
Albert Bandura's famous experiment showing that children imitate the behaviors (especially aggressive ones) they see in adults.
Four Key Processes:
Attention: You must notice it.Retention: You must remember it.Reproduction: You must be able to do it.Motivation: You must want to do it.
Challenge Mode
Open your "Conditioning Challenge" worksheet. You have 30 minutes to complete the behavioral analysis protocol.
Vocabulary
Matching
Case Studies
Conditioning Challenge Worksheet Conditioning Challenge
Psychology Lab Report // Learning Theories
Subject Name:
Date:
PART 1
Vocabulary Match-Up
Match the term on the left with the correct definition on the right by writing the letter in the box.
1. Extinction
2. Shaping
3. Discrimination
4. Generalization
5. Spontaneous Recovery
A. Responding to a stimulus that is similar to the conditioned stimulus.
B. The reappearance of a weakened conditioned response after a pause in time.
C. Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior.
D. The gradual disappearance of a conditioned response when reinforcement stops or the US is removed.
E. The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.
PART 2
Theoretical Gaps
In Classical Conditioning, the stimulus is a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response. In Pavlov's experiment, this was the food. The salivation that occurs naturally is called the response.
In Operant Conditioning, B.F. Skinner used a "Skinner Box" to demonstrate that behaviors followed by are likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by are less likely to be repeated.
Observational learning, also known as learning, occurs by watching others. Albert Bandura identified that neurons in the brain may provide a biological basis for this type of learning.
PART 3
Behavioral Selection
1. A child is given a sticker every time they clean their room. As a result, the child cleans their room more often. This is an example of:
A. Positive Reinforcement
B. Negative Reinforcement
C. Positive Punishment
D. Negative Punishment
2. Taking an aspirin to relieve a painful headache is a behavior maintained by which process?
A. Positive Reinforcement
B. Negative Reinforcement
C. Positive Punishment
D. Negative Punishment
3. In the famous "Little Albert" study conducted by John B. Watson, what was the Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?
A. The loud metallic noise
B. The white rat
C. Fear and crying
D. The wooden blocks
PART 4
Case Study Analysis
Scenario A: The Sushi Incident
Marcus ate a specific type of spicy tuna roll at a restaurant and later became violently ill due to a stomach flu (not the food itself). Now, whenever he smells ginger or sees a sushi sign, he feels nauseous.
Identify the components of Classical Conditioning:
Unconditioned Stimulus:
Unconditioned Response:
Conditioned Stimulus:
Conditioned Response:
Scenario B: The Teen Driver
Sarah stayed out two hours past her curfew. Her parents took away her car keys for two weeks. As a result, Sarah made sure to be home on time for the rest of the semester.
Identify the Operant Conditioning principle at work (be specific):
Explain your reasoning using behavioral terminology (positive/negative, reinforcement/punishment):
Conditioning Challenge Answer Key Answer Key
Psychology Lab Report // Teacher Reference
Internal Use Only
PART 1
Vocabulary Match-Up
D
1. Extinction
C
2. Shaping
E
3. Discrimination
A
4. Generalization
B
5. Spontaneous Recovery
A. Responding to a stimulus that is similar to the conditioned stimulus.
B. The reappearance of a weakened conditioned response after a pause in time.
C. Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior.
D. The gradual disappearance of a conditioned response when reinforcement stops or the US is removed.
E. The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.
PART 2
Theoretical Gaps
In Classical Conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response. In Pavlov's experiment, this was the food. The salivation that occurs naturally is called the unconditioned response.
In Operant Conditioning, B.F. Skinner used a "Skinner Box" to demonstrate that behaviors followed by reinforcement (reinforcers) are likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by punishment (punishers) are less likely to be repeated.
Observational learning, also known as social (vicarious) learning, occurs by watching others. Albert Bandura identified that mirror neurons in the brain may provide a biological basis for this type of learning.
PART 3
Behavioral Selection
1. A child is given a sticker every time they clean their room. As a result, the child cleans their room more often. This is an example of:
Answer: A. Positive Reinforcement
The sticker is added (positive) to increase the room-cleaning behavior (reinforcement).
2. Taking an aspirin to relieve a painful headache is a behavior maintained by which process?
Answer: B. Negative Reinforcement
The headache pain is removed (negative) to increase the likelihood of taking aspirin in the future (reinforcement).
3. In the famous "Little Albert" study conducted by John B. Watson, what was the Conditioned Stimulus (CS)?
Answer: B. The white rat
Initially neutral, it became associated with the loud noise (US) to trigger fear (CR).
PART 4
Case Study Analysis
Scenario A: The Sushi Incident
