SHDH2039

Comparison of Learning Types & Exercise

With the help of the two charts, please identify the specific type(s) of learning involved in each of the following examples. Who is
learning? What is/ are the mechanism/processes involved? What response (R) has the subject eventually learned? If it is an
example of Classical Conditioning, please identify the NS, UCS, UCR, CS & CR. If it is an example of Operant Conditioning, please
specify what the R is and what the consequences are. If it is an example of Observational Learning, please identify what behavior
has been imitated and who the model is.

Comparison of Three Types of Learning

Behavioural Approach Cognitive Approach

Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning

Key person Ivan Pavlov B.F. Skinner Albert Bandura

A neutral stimulus (NS) (for In a stimulus situation, a An observer attends to a

Procedure example, a tone) is paired
with an unconditioned
stimulus (UCS) (such as
food) that elicits an
unconditioned response
(UCR) (salivation).
response(R) is followed by
favorable consequences
(reinforcement) or
unfavorable consequences
(punishment).
model’s behavior (for example,
aggressive bargaining) and its
consequences (for example, a
good buy on a car).

The NS becomes a If reinforced, the R is The observer stores a mental

Result conditioned stimulus (CS)
that elicits the conditioned
response (CR) (for example,
a tone triggers salivation).
strengthened (emitted more
frequently); if punished, the
R is weakened (emitted less
frequently).
representation of the modeled
response; the observer’s
tendency to emit the
response(R) may be
strengthened or weakened,
depending on the consequences
observed.

Nature of NS becomes a CS through Probability of making a R is Through observation of a

learning association with a UCS altered by consequences model’s conditioning.
that follow it.

Nature of re- Mostly involuntary, reflex, Mostly voluntary, Mostly voluntary, consist of
sponse visceral spontaneous novel and complex sequences

Reinforce- Occurs before response (CS Occurs after response (R is Not apply

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 ment paired with UCS) followed by reinforcing
stimulus or event)

Role of Passive (response is elicited Active (response is emitted) Active (response is emitted)
learner by UCS)
Sources

Kalat, J. W. (2002). Introduction to psychology (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Weiten, W. (2004). Psychology: Themes and variations (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Zimbardo, P. G., Weber, A. L., & Johnson, R. L. (2000). Psychology (3rd ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Behavioural Effects of Various Consequences in Operant Conditioning

Present / Apply after the Response (R) Remove / Do not apply after the R

Positive Reinforcement Negative Punishment (involving removal of

Pleasant (reward after a R: e.g. food, prize, award, desirable conditions)/ Omission
Stimulus praise, thanks, attention, money, sex, certain Training/Extinction (reward is withheld after a
drugs) R)

*** Effect → R probability → Increase ↑↑ *** Effect → R probability → Decrease ↓↓

Positive Punishment/Passive Avoidance Negative Reinforcement/Escape

Unpleasant Learning involving application of aversive Learning/Active Avoidance Learning (removal
/ Aversive stimulus after a R (e.g. pain, discomfort, fearful of painful stimulus, discomfort, penalty after a R)
Stimulus or offensive stimuli)
*** Effect → R probability → Increase ↑↑
*** Effect → R probability → Decrease ↓↓

1. A group of professional athletes from the United States started the Ice Bucket Challenge, which involves dumping
a bucket of ice water on one’s head and posting the video on social media like Facebook, or donating USD100 to
the ALS, after being challenged. Upon seeing the videos, many people around the globe, such as Ricky Wong Wai-
kay of HKTV, soon repeated the same and received piles of likes on Facebook.
2.
3.
4. 2. Joyce’s favorite dessert has always been the very delicious banana cakes baked by her mother. Yesterday,
she experienced a heart-warming feeling when she saw the new banana-scent collection of shower gel and lotion
from a bath and body shop that she passed by.
5.

23. Whenever Tom’s mother complains to his father (Model), Tom notices that his father will shut up. Often, Tom’s
mother will stop complaining soon as she feels she is talking to the air. So, Tom keeps quiet every time his girlfriend
Vicky complains to him.

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34. You usually pour canned dog food into a heart-shaped bowl to feed your lovely puppy, Stupid. Stupid runs to you
whenever he sees you holding a bowl, but lately, it only runs to you when you are holding the heart-shaped bowl

4. Brenda has worked at QE as a registered nurse for a year. Recently, she has been transferred from the pediatric
ward to the emergency department. Her new supervisor Niki never seems to be satisfied with her work and
criticizes her frequently. After a few weeks of heavy criticism, Brenda feels nervous and anxious whenever she
goes to work. She starts calling in sick more frequently to reduce her stress and anxiety (from work).

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