Psyc 110                Lab 8
Behvioural Modification

In this lab you are asked to carryout two simple studies, first on classical conditioning then operant conditioning.  

Introduction

Review the sections of the text on classical conditioning along with Live Psyc!  7.1. 

(for online version)
Next you  will need to set up a situation in which you pair an unconditioned stimulus with a gustatory response.  As such it might be helpful to have someone assist you by presenting the the unconditioned stimulus (a sound, pick something distinctive). 

(in class we will do this together)

Method  

Participants You will be the participant/subject

Materials We will use a candy cane. For the UCS we will select a distinctive sound like middle A on the electronic keyboard.

Procedure  During the acquisition phase you will have (in class) the instructor / (online) your assistant elicit the sounds and you will take a taste of your candy cane immediately following. Do this for 15 trials waiting a minute or two in between.  During this phase, as the subject, try to pay attention to any salivation or other gustatory response that you are having. Make notes regading your experience.

Next, during the test phase, you will have the sound elicited without taking a taste of the candy cane. As in the first phase do this a number of times, waiting a minute of two in between, and pay attention to any bodily response that you have.  Count the number of trials during this phase until you no longer have a response. 

Results

  Record in a word document your observations of the acquisition and test/extinction phases and indicate the number of trials before getting a response as well the number of responses before eliminating it. 

Discussion

Discuss what you found and whether or not it fits with the model of classical conditioning that you have learned about.

Introduction

Review the section in the text on operant conditioning along with Live Psyc! 7.2

Next you will need to decide upon some kind of behaviour in yourself, to alter through reinforcement. We will do this as a class activity by having someone leave the room while we decide on a behaviour to reinforce, once they return we wil giveo nly positive reinforcement to shap their behaviour.

Method

Participants Again you will be the participant / subject.

Materials Describe the materials used

Procedure Once you have decided upon a behaviour, record what the target behaviour is and how you might go about shaping it or altering it in some way or form.  Indicate what your reinforcer is and what the reinforcement schedule you have decided upon.  Describe the procedure you are using for the behavioural modification plan. 

Results & Discussion

 Describe the results of the behavioural modification program indicating the results after your test period of time.

Optional (Part III: Social Learning )

Review the section in the text on social learning .

Describe the essential features of such social and observational learning according to Albert Bandura.  Next, identify and describe an important role model in your life. What behaviours do you think you would like to reproduce? Why? Describe what you must do, according to Bandura's model, to become influenced by this person in acting like him or her.

Write up your lab report as usual for this lab and bring it to class next week.