psychology classical and operant conditioning

psychology classical and operant conditioning

The purpose of this writing assignment is to assess your knowledge of Psychology and your ability to apply that knowledge to situations in life. This material is covered in the “Learning” Chapter 6 (pages 204-343 in the Lilienfeld text)

General Instructions

 This assignment should be between 1300-1700 words (about 4-5 pages). You should have an introductory and a concluding paragraph. You need to appropriately cite your sources (at least 3 outside sources in addition to the textbook) using APA style throughout the text and at the end of the paper in the reference section.  Paper must have the following APA format parameters; 12pt Times New Roman font, Double spaced, 1 inch margins.  This paper is not a full research report, so you do not need an abstract, cover-page, Materials and Methods section, results or discussion sections. 

Your paper should cite the textbook, and at least 3 additional sources using APA format.  Here is a link to a citation guide for APA style for properly citing references from various types of sources:

http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/CLAS/Centers/writing/resources/Documents/Resources/APA%20Citation.pdf

Specific instructions for this essay:

1) Describe and contrast (in your own words) classical and operant conditioning.

2) Discuss and explain how classical conditioning concepts are found in two topics you choose from the list immediately below, or you may come up with your own topic(s) that involve classical conditioning. Find and incorporate an example of both topics that you find written about in other sources such as;  internet sources, newspapers, or scientific journal articles one for each of your two chosen topics. (A total of 2 examples that you correctly cite in APA format).  List of suggested possible topics:

  -Taste aversion

  -Phobias

  -Aversion therapy

  -Higher order conditioning in advertisements

  -Observational learning

  -Animal training

  -Fetishes

  -Habituation

3) Imagine you are a life coach. Using principles of operant conditioning and at least one reference (a total of a single reference needed between  A and B)  from an outside source, not your textbook, explain in detail how you would use operant conditioning principles to: 

A. Work with a client who wants to stop biting her fingernails.

B. Help a second client who considers himself lazy and wants to make himself exercise for 30 minutes at least 5 times a week for the next 6 months.

4) Briefly sum up the importance of classical and operant conditioning principles in everyday life. 

Additional Tips for the paper!

Papers must use APA format in the text when citing a reference (author, year) or (author, year, pg# if quote)  and a properly formatted APA reference section including all sources cited at the end of the paper.

Look at the grading rubric so you know all the grading criterafor this assignment.

Rubric

Writing Assignment 2 Rubric

Writing Assignment 2 Rubric

Criteria Ratings Pts

Knowledge Base in Psychology: Psychology Department Goal 1

Above Proficient: All definitions and summaries of learning concepts accurate, described well and explained comprehensively.

10 pts

Proficient: Definitions and other content are described and explained mostly correctly, with only minor errors.

8.5 pts

Below Proficient: Some significant errors in description and explanation of definitions and/or some concepts are missing.

7 pts

10 pts

Critical Thinking Skills: Psychology Department Goal 3 Question 2 covers Classical Conditioning and critical thinking for this score

Above Proficient: For both classical conditioning (CC) topics discussed, a clear and complete explanation of how CC is involved with the topic is presented. CC presented in Question 2.

10 pts

Proficient: Explanation of how CC principles are present for each of the 2 topics is mostly clear and fairly complete.

8.5 pts

Below Proficient: Explanation of how CC principles are present is not clear or complete. Or 2 topics not presented or discussed.

7 pts

10 pts

Application of Psychology: Psychology Department Goal 4 Question 3 covers operant learning and application for this score

Above Proficient: Application of Operant learning (OL) principles to both problems A and B is complete, appropriate, and sophisticated. OL principles / problems presented in Question 3

10 pts

Proficient: Application of OP to problems are mostly complete, correct, and/or appropriate.

8.5 pts

Below Proficient: Application of content to problems is incomplete, incorrect, and/or inappropriate.

7 pts

10 pts

Research Methods in Psychology: Psychology Department Goal 2, writing skills

Above Proficient: Ideas stated clearly. Writing is clear and relevant, with less than 3 grammatical and/or spelling errors – writing overall polished and professional.

10 pts

Proficient: Most ideas are stated clearly and address the assignment instructions, with only minor grammatical and/or spelling errors. (4 – 5 minor errors) and/ or writing acceptable but not polished and professional

8.5 pts

Below Proficient: Many ideas require clarification and/or are off-topic or have marginal relevance to the assignment. Many (6 or more) grammatical and/or spelling errors throughout the paper.

7 pts

10 pts

Research Methods in Psychology: Psychology Department Goal 2, organizational and writing skills

Above Proficient: Paper correctly uses APA format in text to cite references (sources) and has an APA formatted reference section at the end of the paper that includes all references cited. (minimum of 4 references need: textbook and 3 others)

10 pts

Proficient: APA formatted citations present, but incorrectly formatted either in text and / or in reference section of paper. Or does not include the required minimum of 4 references.

8.5 pts

Below Proficient: No and/or very poorly APA formatted citations in text and /or reference section.

7 pts

10 pts

Total Points: 
50