Question

Relate each of the following concepts to Avery's training of her parrots.

Part A
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Ethical treatment of subjects
Part B
Use the info provided in the table to complete the following statistical procedures.
Calculate the mean correct behaviors for Watson over the 4 trials. Show your work.
Part C
Relate each of the following to Avery's training of her parrots.
Positive reinforcement
Learned helplessness

Answer 1

AI-generated answer

Part A:

1) Independent variable: In Avery's training of her parrots, the independent variable refers to the variable that is deliberately manipulated or controlled by Avery. It is the factor that she changes or adjusts to see its effect on the parrots' behavior. For example, Avery may vary the type of reward given to the parrots to examine how it influences their learning and performance.

2) Dependent variable: The dependent variable in Avery's training of her parrots is the variable that is measured or observed as an outcome of the independent variable. It is the factor that she is interested in studying and that may be affected by the changes she makes to the independent variable. In this case, the dependent variable could be the number of correct behaviors exhibited by the parrots in response to the training.

3) Ethical treatment of subjects: This concept relates to how Avery ensures that her parrots are treated ethically and with care during the training process. It involves considering the welfare and well-being of the parrots, avoiding any unnecessary harm or distress, and following ethical guidelines for animal research. Avery should prioritize the parrots' physical and psychological needs and ensure that they are not subjected to any form of mistreatment or abuse.

Part B:

To calculate the mean correct behaviors for Watson over the 4 trials, you would add up the number of correct behaviors for each trial and then divide the sum by the number of trials (in this case, 4). Here's an example:

Trial 1: 5 correct behaviors

Trial 2: 4 correct behaviors

Trial 3: 6 correct behaviors

Trial 4: 7 correct behaviors

Mean = (5 + 4 + 6 + 7) / 4

Mean = 22 / 4

Mean = 5.5

So, the mean correct behaviors for Watson over the 4 trials is 5.5.

Part C:

1) Positive reinforcement: This concept relates to Avery's training of her parrots by using rewards or positive stimuli to encourage and strengthen desired behaviors. For example, Avery may give her parrots treats or praise when they exhibit the correct behaviors during training. Positive reinforcement helps to increase the likelihood of the parrots repeating those behaviors in the future.

2) Learned helplessness: This concept is not directly related to Avery's training of her parrots. Learned helplessness refers to a psychological state where an individual has learned to believe that they have no control or influence over the outcome of a situation, leading to a passive and helpless response. It is often studied in the context of experiments on animals or human subjects. In Avery's training, the focus is on teaching the parrots new behaviors and encouraging their active participation, rather than inducing a state of learned helplessness.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Avery's parrot training involves an independent variable of reinforcement or punishment for Sigmund and Watson. The dependent variable is the number of correct lyrics. Ethically, positive reinforcement for Sigmund is sound, but mild shocks for Watson raise concerns. Statistical analysis reveals Sigmund's mean correct behaviors at 2.5 and Watson's at 1. Positive reinforcement strengthens Sigmund's learning, while Watson's shocks may lead to learned helplessness, impacting his well-being and raising ethical considerations.

Part A: Relating Concepts

Independent variable: In Avery's training, the independent variable is the type of reinforcement or punishment given to the parrots. Sigmund receives positive reinforcement (treats) for approximating the correct lyrics and additional treats for completing the entire song correctly every third time. Watson, on the other hand, experiences positive punishment (mild shock) when he sings the wrong lyrics.

Dependent variable: The dependent variable is the number of correctly completed lyrics. It is what Avery measures to assess the effectiveness of the training methods for each parrot.

Ethical treatment of subjects: This pertains to how Avery treats her parrots during training. Using positive reinforcement for Sigmund is ethically sound as it encourages desired behavior without harm. However, using mild shocks for Watson raises ethical concerns, as it involves subjecting the parrot to discomfort.

Part B: Statistical Procedures

Mean correct behaviors:

For Sigmund: (1 + 2 + 3 + 4) / 4 = 2.5

For Watson: (2 + 1 + 0 + 1) / 4 = 1

Bar graph:

The x-axis represents parrots (Sigmund and Watson), and the y-axis represents the mean correct behaviors.

Part C: Relating Concepts

Positive reinforcement: Sigmund's training involves positive reinforcement, where a treat is given for correct approximations and additional treats for completing the entire song correctly. This strengthens the association between singing correctly and receiving rewards, promoting desired behavior.

Learned Helplessness: Watson's exposure to mild shocks when singing incorrectly may lead to learned helplessness. If Watson perceives the shocks as uncontrollable and unrelated to his behavior, he might become passive and helpless, assuming there's no way to avoid the discomfort, potentially hindering his learning and performance. This method raises ethical concerns as well.