Question
Read each of the following two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R) and indicate your answer using the codes given below :
Assertion (A): Conditioning fails to occur when unconditioned stimulus and conditioned stimulus are paired in a random order.
Reason (R) : Cognitive processes involving expectation play an important role in classical conditioning.
Codes:
The correct answer is
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A).
Analysis of Assertion (A) and Reason (R)
This question requires evaluating two statements about classical conditioning.
Evaluating Assertion (A)
- Assertion (A) states that conditioning fails if the unconditioned stimulus (US) and conditioned stimulus (CS) are paired randomly.
- Classical conditioning requires a predictable relationship (contingency) between the CS and the US. The CS should reliably signal the impending occurrence of the US.
- Random pairing means the US appears unpredictably, regardless of the CS. This prevents the learner from establishing a consistent association or expectation.
- Therefore, Assertion (A) is true. Conditioning is significantly impaired or fails under random pairing conditions.
Evaluating Reason (R)
- Reason (R) suggests that cognitive processes, such as expectation, play a crucial role in classical conditioning.
- Modern theories of classical conditioning emphasize that it's not just about the temporal association (contiguity) but also about the organism's ability to predict events.
- The formation of an expectation – anticipating the US following the CS – is a key cognitive component. Research by Leon Kamin and Robert Rescorla demonstrated the importance of contingency and blocking, which rely on predictive relationships and cognitive processing.
- Therefore, Reason (R) is true.
Relationship Between (A) and (R)
- The failure of conditioning in random pairing (A) occurs precisely because the random nature of the stimuli prevents the formation of a reliable expectation (R).
- When the CS does not reliably predict the US, the cognitive process of expectation cannot be established, leading to a lack of conditioning.
- Thus, the role of cognitive processes involving expectation correctly explains why random pairing leads to conditioning failure.
Conclusion
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) provides the correct explanation for Assertion (A).
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Important Questions from Principles and theories of learning - Teaching
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer by choosing from code given below :
List - I
(Concept)List - II
(Description)(a) Counter-conditioning (i) After conditioning, a new CS(B) when paired with already conditioned stimulus CS(A) and presented as a compound stimulus, little or no conditioning occurs to CS(B). (b) Blocking (ii) Elimination of undesirable behaviour by pairing CS with US other than the one that originally reinforced that behaviour. (c) Overshadowing (iii) Inhibition of conditioned response caused by conditioned emotional response. (d) Conditioned Suppression (iv) While using compound CS where one of its components is more salient than the other, only the salient component is conditioned.
Code :- Which of the following terms explains the Reinforcement which is given only if a specific response is made ?
- Read each of the following statements - Assertion (A) and Reason (R); and indicate your answer using code given below :
Assertion (A): Premack principle, based on Probability-Differential Hypothesis, states that the opportunity to engage in a frequently occurring activity can be used to reinforce less frequently activity.
Reason (R) : According to Probability-Differential Hypothesis, restricted access to a response makes that response reinforcing and excessive access to that response makes that response punishing.
Code : - Salient features of classical conditioning are
1. Responses are voluntary.
2. Based on principle of association by contiguity.
3. Antecedent stimuli are important in forming association.
4. Goal is to increase the rate of an already occurring response.
5. Goal is to create a new response to stimulus.
Codes: - Which of the following is an application of operant conditioning ?
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