You did WHAT for a cookie?
Every time the dog barks at the mailman, the owner gives him a cookie to shut him up. Now the dog barks more when the mailman comes.
What is "positive reinforcement"?
What reinforcement schedule is the most random? (hint; we see this in gambling)
What is "Variable Ratio"?
A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without learning.
What is an "unconditioned stimulus (UCS)"?
This kind of learning occurs without reinforcement and isn't visible until there's motivation to show it.
What is "latent learning"?
ou trip in the hallway, but instead of helping, everyone looks away like it’s not their problem. What psychological tea is being served?
What is "the bystander effect"?
Every time Jon reaches for a second cookie without asking, his older sister whacks his hand with a spoon. He stops sneaking cookies.
What is "positive punishment"?
At the 10th coffee purchased, the café gives you a free one.
What is "Fixed Ratio"?
In Pavlov’s experiment, this is the conditioned stimulus (CS).
What is "the sound of the bell"?
After watching someone solve a puzzle, you realize how to do it yourself without trial and error.
What is "insight learning"?
our roommate asks you to water their plant. Next week, they casually mention, “You’re already watering it, could you feed it too?” Suddenly, you're the full-time plant parent. What just happened?
What is "the foot-in-the-door technique"?
Jamie keeps eating cookies on the couch. After they leave crumbs again, Dad takes away the Xbox for a week. Jamie stops eating on the couch.
What is "negative punishment"?
You keep refreshing your email hoping for a job offer. Sometimes it shows up after 20 refreshes, sometimes 3.
What is "Variable Ratio"?
When the CR decreases or disappears after repeated presentation of the CS without the UCS.
What is "extinction"?
You could’ve been traumatized by a clown at a birthday party, but instead you realized it was just Uncle Jerry in a wig with too much enthusiasm. Despite the loud noises and bad balloon animals, you were fine. What mental process saved you from associating all clowns with doom?
What is "cognitive appraisal"?
You join a group project and immediately realize no one questions the worst ideas because they all want to “keep it positive.” The project is trash but everyone’s smiling. What's the academic term for this? (Hint: When harmony > quality control.)
What is "groupthink"?
Alex never turns in his homework, so one day the teacher offers him a cookie for every time he turns it in on time in the future. Alex suddenly becomes a model student.
What is "positive reinforcement"?
You get paid every Friday, no matter how hard you worked — as long as you showed up.
What is "Fixed Interval"?
The sudden reappearance of an extinguished CR after a delay.
What is "Spontaneous Recovery"?
The expectation of reinforcement or punishment can influence behavior — even if it doesn’t happen.
What is "a cognitive model of learning / expectancy theory"?
Your bestie tells you that pineapple definitely belongs on pizza. You disagree... but now you’re doubting everything you’ve ever known. Why does your brain hurt?
What is "cognitive dissonance"?
Andre hates the smell of the trash, and his dad says no cookies until it’s taken out. Andre cleans the trash to get back to cookie eligibility — and now he does it without being asked.
What is "negative reinforcement"?
You sit on the couch reading. Sometimes, your cat jumps into your lap and purrs. Sometimes it takes 10 minutes, sometimes 2 hours. You keep sitting quietly in hopes of that love drop.
What is "Variable Interval"?
Paola was bitten by a dog when she was 8. Now, she feels anxious not only around that type of dog, but also when she hears barking or sees dogs on TV. What classical conditioning concept explains this broadened fear response?
What is "Generalization"?
A child watches their older sibling get praised for cleaning their room. The child then cleans their own room the next day, even though no one told them to or rewarded them yet. What kind of learning is this, and what internal process does it show?
What is "observational learning"?
You swore you wouldn’t be peer pressured, but now you're wearing matching shirts with your coworkers because “everyone else is doing it.” What phenomenon captured your soul?
What is "conformity"?