Studying for Your Learning Theory Test

On Friday, you'll be testing your knowledge of learning theories and concepts by writing a timed FRQ. I'm posting some resources that should help you prepare. (More to come in the days ahead.)

Remember, our study session for this unit will be on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10th from 5-7 PM in the CAFETERIA. Afterwards I will try to post as many of the materials we use as possible (for the benefit of those who cannot attend.)

1. First, there's our friend Quizlet (below). Remember, you'll want to be ready to generate SPECIFIC EXAMPLES of each of these concepts. So, don't simply try to memorize the definition. Be ready to explain it and give a relevant example.
2. Review the unit learning objectives. Are you ready to do all these things?
3. MORE practice multiple choice questions. Again, although you're not really preparing for a multiple choice test, this can help you figure out if there are particular concepts you need to review.
4. Need some quick video reviews? Try How to Train a Brain (on conditioning approaches) and Bobo Beatdown (observational learning).
5. STUDY SESSION MATERIALS. The following items were used during our study session:

• Slide Show (with embedded links)
• Practice FRQs
• WS: Distinguishing Classical from Operant Conditioning
• WS: Processes in Classical and Operant Conditioning
• ANSWERS to Practice Items on Reinforcement Types & Reinforcement Schedules You probably picked up one of these after the quiz on Tuesday...answers are posted here for your benefit in practicing.

Learning: Basic Principles



Observational Learning


What the Behaviorists Missed

Study Tools for your Learning Test

Your unit test on Learning Theory will take place on Wednesday, December 17th. In order to help you prepare, you have tons of tools at your disposal! Including:

• Tuesday's Study Session (4-7 PM) - Note the extended time frame for those hoping to attend funeral/wake events.
• Quizlet Flashcards - remember, you'll want to be prepared to write about each one of these, not just recognize examples from a list!
• More practice MC Questions (if your printed Study Guide is not enough)
• Crash Course Videos: How to Train Your Brain (Classical and Operant Conditioning) and Bobo Beatdown (Observational Learning and Social-Cognitive Perspective)

Quizlet Flashcards

Notes: Classical and Operant Conditioning

Observational Learning


What the Behaviorists Missed

Using Cognitive Science to Improve Your Study Strategies

If not today, soon you will be getting an assignment from your instructor that requires you to access this video series by Dr. Chew of Samford University. Due on Monday, this assignment requires you to view five short videos and to think about what research says about human memory and learning. Of course, you'll also be prompted to apply it to your own study habits.

I won't try to steal the show from Dr. Chew by describing everything in the videos here. However, I will tell you that, as an AP Psych teacher, I see students making the EXACT SAME mistakes that Dr. Chew describes in the video and suffering for them as well (in terms of grades, that is). The strategies that he proposes as alternatives are the same ones I would recommend to students, as they are research-supported. I hope by viewing the videos now you can put these into place before your first test, rather than waiting until afterwards to try to figure out what went wrong. Of course, as Dr. Chew points out, even if the first test doesn't turn out the best, there are good strategies you can harness to recover and improve from that point onward (but there are also ways to set yourself up for continued hardship...avoid those)!

Happy studying! - Mrs. Welle

Tools for Reviewing Learning Theories

We've got a test coming up on Learning theories, so here are some tools for your preparation. Many of the videos and tools below were developed by fellow AP Psych teacher Chuck Schallhorn, for your benefit in reviewing. Thanks, Mr. Schallhorn.

The first type of learning we studied was Classical Conditioning. The video below does a brief review of that process, as well as a providing a brief overview of learning in general.



Still feeling uncertain about the terminology surrounding Classical Conditioning? Here are some more examples for your reviewing needs.



As you may recall, the second type of learning we discussed was Operant Conditioning. The video that follows gives you an overview of this type of learning and the various reinforcement types used with it.




One potentially tricky concept to tackle this unit is Reinforcement Schedules. Below, a video review that can illuminate the differences between the various schedule types.



Feeling confident? If you think you've got this stuff down, challenge yourself with these practice multiple choice questions on learning.

And, of course there are Quizlet flashcards for your use as well.

Learning & Memory Quizlets

Each of the two topics for this unit - Learning and Memory - have their own Quizlet flashcard sets. I've embedded them below, but you are also welcome to visit each set page and print off your own flashcards. Good luck with your studies!

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Punishment & Operant Conditioning

As we discussed in class today, punishment can be used to influence behavior in subjects, but it does come with some major downsides. Punishment doesn't actually teach a desired behavior, it just discourages bad behavior. Physical punishments that parents use can sometimes teach unintended lessons: hitting solves problems, parents are to be feared, etc.

However, we have all seen and perhaps experienced robust examples of how punishments can effectively discourage unwanted behaviors. My recent most favorite example of people creatively employing punishment to deter a behavior comes from Vilnius, Lithuania. The Mayor of that city, fed up with people parking their expensive cars in no parking zones, launched this video (which appears to be more of a public service announcement than an organized enforcement campaign) of himself running over expensive, but illegally parked cars with a tank.

Why were expensive cars the problem? Presumably inexpensive cars parked illegally would create as big of a problem for the city, but there seems to be some assumptions being made about the motivations of the owners of the fancy cars: the Mayor notes wanting to send a message to drivers who "think they are above the law." Perhaps, also, it is more fun to run over expensive cars?

The mayor was honored with an Ig Nobel prize (the humorous counterpart to the Nobel prize)at this year's ceremony at Harvard University.

My favorite quote from the video: in answer to the question of what the city should do about the problem, Mayor Zuokas says, "It seems that a tank is the best solution."

Entertaining Video...Can You Identify the Conditioning Principles at Work?

One of my fantastic psych teacher colleagues sent this one to me. Hilarious clip of a little one "selectively" throwing a fit. Can you identify what conditioning principles might be at work here? Why would this child relocate to continue the temper tantrum?

New Quizlet Links Added!

Just in time for this unit's vocabulary review, links to two new Quizlets (online flashcard sets) have been added to this site. From here on out, they will be accessible through the "Commonly Used Course Links" section on the left-hand side of the blog page.

Here they are:

Quizlet -Learning

Quizlet- Memory


With 99 terms between the two of them, there's plenty to review!

Hope to see you at the review session this evening. Otherwise, best of luck on tomorrow's test!

Study Sessions and Possible Snow Fort Building

As we discussed last week in class, there will be two after-school opportunities for you to review for your upcoming Learning & Memory Unit Test:

Monday, December 13 - Right After School

and

Tuesday, December 14 - 5:30 PM

However, due to our amazing good fortune of having a massive snow drift right outside the classroom window, from 4:00 to 5:30 on Tuesday we will be meeting to build a masterpiece snow fort outside my classroom window.

This is assuming that the snow does not fall victim to the numerous snow plows and blowers roaming school properties today. Or to envious elementary school students. If our supply is taken, maybe we can find another drift...?

Dress warmly - it's supposed to be super cold tomorrow - and bring your best ideas and supplies for snow fort construction.

Oh...the possibilities!

Learning Videos: Rat Pellets...For People

You can expect this to be my last post for a little while, what with the holidays approaching and all. I hope my students (and their teachers and parents) have a relaxing break. We'll return to class renewed and ready to go in January.

In the meantime, I'll be posting some of your classmates' videos for viewing here. When the learning projects came in on Monday there were definitely some gems. Here's Rat Pellets...For People from several gentlemen in my 2nd hour class:

Reading Ahead: Save Yourself Some Frustration

Let's say you're one of those organized, prepared-types and you're looking ahead to what we'll be doing once we get back from Thanksgiving Break. First, great job! Chance favors the prepared mind!

Our next unit is on Learning and Memory and will cover content from Chapter 8 and 9 in your textbook. Note: this means we are temporarily skipping Chapter 7. Don't worry, we'll come back to that at the end of December (who would want to skip States of Consciousness altogether?!).

However, be aware that if you just dive into the next chapter in our book (Chapter 7), you may be frustrated when you come to class and realize you still have 2 chapters to read before you are prepared for our next quiz. If you're starting your reading early, Read Chapter 8 (Learning) next!

I'm Not Playing Computer Games! This is "Studying"

Sick of making flashcards with AP Psych terms? Ready to burn that 40 Day Countdown Packet? Here's a cool way to take a "break" from intense practice while still "studying" for your AP Psych Exam. Check out these cool psychology-related games at the Nobel Prize Educational Site.

The site has games related to the work of numerous Nobel Prize winners. While it is worthwhile to investigate some of the non-psychologist winners, here are a few that seem especially relevant for intro-psych students:

1. Classical Conditioning - Pavlov's Dogs Can you make the dog drool on command?
2. Split-Brain Experiments - Replicate an experiment on Mr. Split Brainy. Based, of course, on the work of Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga. (Sperry split the Nobel Peace Prize with David Hubel and Torsten Weisel in 1981)
3. The Ear Pages - Great tool for reviewing how the ear works! If you are struggling to remember the terms/parts of the ear from chapter 5, this simulation and quiz is for you!