Cognitive Processes in Learning and Behavior Change (7C) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations
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What is the definition of operant conditioning in learning theory?
What is the definition of operant conditioning in learning theory?
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Learning in which consequences shape the likelihood of behavior. Skinner's work showed how rewards and punishments modify behavior.
Learning in which consequences shape the likelihood of behavior. Skinner's work showed how rewards and punishments modify behavior.
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Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a variable time interval if a response occurs.
Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a variable time interval if a response occurs.
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Variable-interval schedule. Unpredictable timing produces steady, moderate response rates.
Variable-interval schedule. Unpredictable timing produces steady, moderate response rates.
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What is vicarious reinforcement in observational learning?
What is vicarious reinforcement in observational learning?
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Increased behavior after seeing a model rewarded for it. Observing positive outcomes motivates adoption of the behavior.
Increased behavior after seeing a model rewarded for it. Observing positive outcomes motivates adoption of the behavior.
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Which four processes did Bandura propose are required for observational learning?
Which four processes did Bandura propose are required for observational learning?
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Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation. ARRM: must notice, remember, be able to do, and want to do it.
Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation. ARRM: must notice, remember, be able to do, and want to do it.
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What is self-efficacy as used in theories of learning and behavior change?
What is self-efficacy as used in theories of learning and behavior change?
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Belief in one’s ability to perform behaviors to reach a goal. Confidence in executing actions affects motivation and persistence.
Belief in one’s ability to perform behaviors to reach a goal. Confidence in executing actions affects motivation and persistence.
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What is outcome expectancy in social cognitive theory?
What is outcome expectancy in social cognitive theory?
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Belief that a behavior will lead to a specific outcome. Expectations about consequences influence behavior choices.
Belief that a behavior will lead to a specific outcome. Expectations about consequences influence behavior choices.
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What is reciprocal determinism in social cognitive theory?
What is reciprocal determinism in social cognitive theory?
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Person, behavior, and environment mutually influence each other. Bidirectional causation creates a dynamic system of influence.
Person, behavior, and environment mutually influence each other. Bidirectional causation creates a dynamic system of influence.
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What is latent learning in cognitive approaches to learning?
What is latent learning in cognitive approaches to learning?
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Learning that occurs without reinforcement and appears when needed. Knowledge remains dormant until a situation requires its use.
Learning that occurs without reinforcement and appears when needed. Knowledge remains dormant until a situation requires its use.
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What is a cognitive map in the context of spatial learning?
What is a cognitive map in the context of spatial learning?
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A mental representation of spatial relationships in an environment. Internal navigation system formed through environmental exploration.
A mental representation of spatial relationships in an environment. Internal navigation system formed through environmental exploration.
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What is insight learning (Köhler) as a cognitive process in problem solving?
What is insight learning (Köhler) as a cognitive process in problem solving?
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Sudden solution realization by reorganizing the problem mentally. "Aha!" moment when pieces suddenly fit together mentally.
Sudden solution realization by reorganizing the problem mentally. "Aha!" moment when pieces suddenly fit together mentally.
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What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement?
What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement?
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Positive adds a stimulus; negative removes an aversive stimulus. Both increase behavior but through different mechanisms.
Positive adds a stimulus; negative removes an aversive stimulus. Both increase behavior but through different mechanisms.
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Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a fixed number of responses.
Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a fixed number of responses.
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Fixed-ratio schedule. Predictable count creates steady response patterns.
Fixed-ratio schedule. Predictable count creates steady response patterns.
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Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a variable number of responses.
Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a variable number of responses.
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Variable-ratio schedule. Unpredictable count maintains high, steady responding.
Variable-ratio schedule. Unpredictable count maintains high, steady responding.
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Which schedule of reinforcement typically produces the highest, most persistent response rate?
Which schedule of reinforcement typically produces the highest, most persistent response rate?
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Variable-ratio schedule. Gambling-like unpredictability creates strongest response patterns.
Variable-ratio schedule. Gambling-like unpredictability creates strongest response patterns.
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What is observational learning (social learning) in the context of behavior change?
What is observational learning (social learning) in the context of behavior change?
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Learning by watching others and the consequences they receive. Bandura's theory where behaviors are acquired through observation.
Learning by watching others and the consequences they receive. Bandura's theory where behaviors are acquired through observation.
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What is vicarious punishment in observational learning?
What is vicarious punishment in observational learning?
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Decreased behavior after seeing a model punished for it. Observing negative consequences discourages the behavior.
Decreased behavior after seeing a model punished for it. Observing negative consequences discourages the behavior.
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What is the key difference between modeling and imitation in observational learning?
What is the key difference between modeling and imitation in observational learning?
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Modeling is demonstrating; imitation is copying the demonstrated act. One shows the behavior; the other replicates what was shown.
Modeling is demonstrating; imitation is copying the demonstrated act. One shows the behavior; the other replicates what was shown.
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What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
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Intrinsic: internal interest; extrinsic: external reward or avoidance. One comes from within; the other from outside consequences.
Intrinsic: internal interest; extrinsic: external reward or avoidance. One comes from within; the other from outside consequences.
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What is the overjustification effect in motivation and behavior change?
What is the overjustification effect in motivation and behavior change?
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External rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for a task. Rewards can undermine natural enjoyment of activities.
External rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for a task. Rewards can undermine natural enjoyment of activities.
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Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a fixed time interval if a response occurs.
Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a fixed time interval if a response occurs.
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Fixed-interval schedule. Time-based with scalloped response pattern near interval end.
Fixed-interval schedule. Time-based with scalloped response pattern near interval end.
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What is the definition of negative punishment in operant conditioning?
What is the definition of negative punishment in operant conditioning?
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Removing a desired stimulus to decrease behavior frequency. Like taking away privileges or toys.
Removing a desired stimulus to decrease behavior frequency. Like taking away privileges or toys.
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Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses.
Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses.
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Fixed-ratio schedule. Every nth response earns reinforcement (e.g., every 5th).
Fixed-ratio schedule. Every nth response earns reinforcement (e.g., every 5th).
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Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a variable number of responses.
Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a variable number of responses.
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Variable-ratio schedule. Unpredictable response count creates high, steady responding.
Variable-ratio schedule. Unpredictable response count creates high, steady responding.
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Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a fixed amount of time.
Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a fixed amount of time.
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Fixed-interval schedule. First response after set time earns reinforcement.
Fixed-interval schedule. First response after set time earns reinforcement.
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Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a variable amount of time.
Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a variable amount of time.
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Variable-interval schedule. Unpredictable timing produces steady, moderate response rates.
Variable-interval schedule. Unpredictable timing produces steady, moderate response rates.
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What is observational learning (social learning) as described by Bandura?
What is observational learning (social learning) as described by Bandura?
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Learning by watching others and the consequences they receive. Bobo doll experiments showed children imitate observed aggression.
Learning by watching others and the consequences they receive. Bobo doll experiments showed children imitate observed aggression.
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Which concept explains why behavior change is easier when outcomes are self-efficacy enhancing?
Which concept explains why behavior change is easier when outcomes are self-efficacy enhancing?
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Self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to perform a behavior). Confidence in ability predicts successful behavior change.
Self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to perform a behavior). Confidence in ability predicts successful behavior change.
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What is higher-order (second-order) conditioning?
What is higher-order (second-order) conditioning?
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A CS becomes associated with a new stimulus, creating a new CS. The first CS can train a second neutral stimulus without the US.
A CS becomes associated with a new stimulus, creating a new CS. The first CS can train a second neutral stimulus without the US.
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What is the Rescorla-Wagner model’s key idea about prediction error?
What is the Rescorla-Wagner model’s key idea about prediction error?
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Learning depends on surprise: mismatch between expected and actual US. Learning is strongest when outcomes violate expectations.
Learning depends on surprise: mismatch between expected and actual US. Learning is strongest when outcomes violate expectations.
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What is the definition of positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?
What is the definition of positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?
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Adding a stimulus to increase behavior frequency. Like giving praise or rewards to encourage repetition.
Adding a stimulus to increase behavior frequency. Like giving praise or rewards to encourage repetition.
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