In Ch. 5, you read about the different ways that we learn behaviors. Consider a behavior that you have. How can you explain how you learned this behavior through one of the types of learning presented in Ch. 5?
The concepts of reinforcement and punishment can be a little tricky, and many students confuse the principles of these concepts. A common mistake that is made is thinking that negative reinforcement is the same as punishment. What are the main differences between these concepts? Provide an example to illustrate your explanation.
In Ch. 6, you read about the process of memory, which starts in the sensory memory, progresses to the short-term memory, and ultimately will end up in the long-term memory. Consider a time when you learned new information. It could be a new process at work, something you learned in a class, or something you learned in your personal life. Outline the process of how this information got into your long-term memory, including the encoding strategies used.
In Ch. 6, you learn about different strategies for problem solving and decision making. Consider a decision that you need to make or a problem that you need to solve in your personal or career life. Apply the strategies and processes listed in Ch. 6 to help you make the decision or solve the problem. Describe the process you used and if you would do anything differently the next time.
Cognitive Processes
Full Answer Section
Reinforcement vs. Punishment Reinforcement and punishment are both operant conditioning processes that influence behavior, but they have distinct outcomes.- Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior recurring. It involves adding something positive (positive reinforcement) or removing something negative (negative reinforcement).
- Example of positive reinforcement: A student who gets good grades is praised by their parents, increasing the likelihood of studying harder in the future.
- Example of negative reinforcement: Taking an aspirin to relieve a headache reinforces the behavior of taking aspirin for pain relief.
- Punishment decreases the likelihood of a behavior recurring. It involves adding something negative (positive punishment) or removing something positive (negative punishment).
- Example of positive punishment: A child who misbehaves is given extra chores, decreasing the likelihood of misbehavior in the future.
- Example of negative punishment: A teenager loses their phone privileges for breaking a rule, decreasing the likelihood of breaking the rule again.
- Sensory Memory: Initially, I was exposed to new syntax, keywords, and concepts through visual and auditory means (textbooks, online tutorials, and lectures). This information was briefly held in sensory memory.
- Short-Term Memory: I actively paid attention to the new information, rehearsing it mentally and taking notes. This process transferred the information from sensory memory to short-term memory.
- Long-Term Memory: To move the information into long-term memory, I used several encoding strategies:
- Elaborative rehearsal: I connected new programming concepts to existing knowledge of other programming languages.
- Mnemonic devices: I created mental associations and acronyms to remember complex syntax rules.
- Spaced repetition: I reviewed the material at increasing intervals to strengthen memory consolidation.
- Self-testing: I practiced writing code and solving problems to reinforce learning.
Sample Answer
Behavior: Learning Through Operant Conditioning
Behavior: Procrastination
Explanation: I believe procrastination is a behavior I've learned through operant conditioning, specifically negative reinforcement. When I have a task I find unpleasant or challenging, I often delay doing it. This delay temporarily relieves the anxiety and discomfort associated with the task, reinforcing the procrastination behavior. In essence, avoiding the unpleasant task acts as a negative reinforcer, strengthening the likelihood of procrastination in the future.