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Question 329

Touchscreen Learning Study in Capuchins

Researchers investigated how different reinforcement schedules and aversive consequences influence instrumental learning in capuchin monkeys.

Monkeys were trained to tap a sequence of three distinct shapes (Triangle, Circle, Square) on a touchscreen device. Each monkey was randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions:

  • Condition Alpha: A piece of fruit was delivered every time the monkey performed the correct sequence of taps exactly 5 times in a row.
  • Condition Beta: A piece of fruit was delivered after the monkey performed the correct sequence a variable number of times, averaging 5 sequences (the exact target changed after each reward).
  • Condition Gamma: A piece of fruit was delivered for the first correct sequence completed after a fixed interval of 20 seconds had elapsed since the last reward.
  • Condition Delta: A brief, high-frequency unpleasant tone sounded immediately if the monkey performed an incorrect sequence of taps.

The table below shows the mean response rates and accuracy during the final 15-minute experimental session.

Table 1: Capuchin monkey response rates and sequence accuracy across four conditions

ConditionMean number of attempted touch sequences (in 15 minutes)Mean number of correct touch sequences (in 15 minutes)
Condition Alpha6251
Condition Beta11092
Condition Gamma3524
Condition Delta82

Using your knowledge of operant conditioning, explain how reinforcement schedules and punishment can account for the differences in behavior shown by the monkeys across the four conditions.

[6]

Content Questions

  1. A Level
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Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Content with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 1,059 questions covering Central nervous system and neurotransmitters, Effect of recreational drugs on transmission, Brain structure and aggression, Evolution and natural selection, Freud's psychodynamic explanation of aggression, Role of hormones in aggression, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.

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