Situation # 1 A little girl is very scared of gray cats. Explain how this fear m
ID: 3451504 • Letter: S
Question
Situation # 1 A little girl is very scared of gray cats.
Explain how this fear might have developed using the Operant Conditioning model.
In your answer specify describe the behavioral contingency including the Operant behavior (Voluntary behavior), Consequence, and Reinforcement (specify Positive or Negative).
Operant behavior
Consequence
Reinforcement (specify Positive or Negative)
5. Describe an example of how the little girl’s fear of gray cats might have developed using the Social Cognitive-Learning model (also called: Observational learning, Vicarious conditioning).
6. In terms of Classical Conditioning, explain how this fear could be extinguished?
In your answer, discuss role of US, UR, NS, CS, CR. Explain the sequence of events leading to extinction.
Explanation / Answer
According to the model of operant conditioning, the girl’s fear of cats or the operant response can be said to be negatively reinforced. The operant behaviour is strengthened, because an unpleasant consequence such as feeling of anxiety and fear is removed. For example, if the girl sees a cat whilst out walking, she might try to avoid the cat by crossing over the road. This avoidance reduces her feelings of anxiety and negatively reinforces their behaviour, making her more likely to repeat this behaviour (avoidance) in the future. Thus, she will continue to avoid cats and maintain a response of fear on seeing them.