Classical conditioning is a form of associative learning, learning produced by the pairing of stimuli and responses in time and place. It contributes to likes and dislikes, emotional reactions, and reflex-like responses to things. Below, explain the situation being described in terms of classical conditioning. For each description, identify or suggest the US, UR, CS, CR, as well as the principles likely to be at work.

1. While caring for a friend’s dog, you notice that it displays a fear-like posture as you roll up a newspaper. You try this several times more and become convinced that this dog is generally afraid of rolled up newspapers.
2. Joan, an animal trainer, has been phobic about monkeys since an earlier attack. However, because of the money, she has agreed to work with monkeys for a movie studio. At first, just going anywhere near cages makes Joan tense, sweaty, and apprehensive. Lately, though, things have changed. Working with such cuddly, affectionate, human-like creatures is causing Joan to wonder why she ever felt such extreme distress.
3. At a red light, Bob and Fred automatically tensed and felt chills when they heard the screech of tires behind them. Later, while watching a car race, Bob remarked how the screeching of tires was having little effect then. Fred agreed and wondered why they reacted at all, because neither had as much as a dent on his driving record.
4. Early in their relationship, the mere sight of Donna excited Jack. This gradually died out, however, as Donna behaved tolerantly but indifferently. When the relationship ended, Jack was bored with Donna and didn’t even think about her for the next year. Now, he was surprised at how excited he was becoming as he saw Donna through the window of a bus.
5. Bill couldn’t ever remember being so sick and nauseated. He would never go to that restaurant again, and he would never again eat chicken. All he could think about was the good dinner his mother would prepare for his homecoming. As he entered the kitchen, be became flushed and felt nauseated when he saw the golden brown turkey sitting on the table.

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Handout Master 5.3

Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Instructions. For each example presented below, identify whether positive reinforcement (PR), negative reinforcement (NR), or punishment (PUN) is illustrated by placing the appropriate abbreviation in the blank next to the item.

_ 1. Police pulling drivers over and giving prizes for buckling up

_ 2. Suspending a basketball player for committing a flagrant foul

_ 3. A soccer player rolls her eyes at a teammate who delivered a bad pass

_ 4. A child snaps her fingers until her teacher calls on her

_ 5. A hospital patient is allowed extra visiting time after eating a complete meal

_ 6. Receiving a city utility discount for participating in a recycling program

_ 7. Grounding a teenager until his or her homework is finished

_ 8. Scolding a child for playing in the street

_ 9. A prisoner loses TV privileges for one week for a rule violation

_ 10. A parent nagging a child to clean up her room

_ 11. A rat presses a lever to terminate a shock or a loud tone

_ 12. A professor gives extra credit to students with perfect attendance

_ 13. A dog is banished to his doghouse after soiling the living room carpet

_ 14. A defendant is harassed and tortured until he confesses

_ 15. A young child receives $5 for earning good grades in school

_ 16. A mother smiles when her child utters “Mama”

_ 17. A child is put into “time out” for misbehaving

_ 18. Employee of the month gets a reserved parking space

_ 19. At a party, a husband becomes sullen when his wife flirts with a colleague

_ 20. A woman watching a football game offers her child candy to play quietly