Psychology 3214

Spring 2018

Study Guide for Test 2

1. Understand Pavlov's analysis of the nature of the conditioning process and the 3 conclusions about conditioning that followed from this analysis.

2. Understand Rescorla's contingency experiments and be able to differentiate between contiguity and contingency descriptions of a situation, using both event diagrams and verbal descriptions.

3. Understand Kamin's blocking experiment, and how this effect was interpreted to produce a new description of the nature of the conditioning process.

4. Be able to define the terms in the Rescorla-Wagner model, and the relation of those terms to traditional conditioning terminology.

5. Be able to compute the results for a short series of trials according to the Rescorla-Wagner model. (Yes. You can bring and use a calculator during the test.)

6. Review the Rescorla-Wagner simulations we did in class, and be able to connect simulation results with general interpretations of conditioning effects.

7. Name two cases where the Rescorla-Wagner model made successful predictions. Name two cases where the Rescorla-Wagner model made unsuccessful predictions.

8. Understand Solomon's "opponent process" model. What is "affective contrast" and "affective dynamics"? What controls the "a-process" and the "b-process" and why do they change differently over time?

9. Understand Siegel's analysis of the classical conditioning effects in short and long-term heroin use. How does he explain tolerance, craving, and withdrawal effects?

10. Be able to apply Pavlov's, Siegel's, Kamin's, and Rescorla's analysis of classical conditioning to concrete situations.