Psychology Assignment: Conditioning, Parenting, and Epigenetics

This psychology assignment solution delves into various key concepts within the field. It begins by defining epigenetics and its importance in understanding human diseases and developmental psychology. The assignment then explores different parenting styles—authoritarian, permissive, and negligent—and their potential impact on children. Furthermore, it examines classical and operant conditioning through practical examples, including identifying unconditioned and conditioned stimuli and responses. Schedules of reinforcement are also analyzed. The solution includes a self-training plan for behavior modification, emphasizing stages like pre-contemplation, contemplation, determination, action, and maintenance. Finally, the assignment discusses effective parenting strategies, highlighting the importance of guidance, transparent communication, and intrinsic motivation over punishment, suggesting alternative approaches to foster positive development in children and strengthen parent-child relationships. The assignment concludes by emphasizing the role of intrinsic motivation and suggesting alternatives that promote a child's inherent desire to learn and grow.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Chapter 3:
Response 1:
Epigenetics can be defined as the study that deals with changes within an organism
which can be attributed to the modification within the gene expression rather than the
changes within the genetic code (Keverne 2014). The external environment to a significant
extent determines the functioning of the genes. Therefore, the study of epigenetics is
important as it helps in understanding the complex nature of certain human diseases and the
nature of human psychology with the stages of development.
Response 2:
As an authoritarian parent, I would tell my daughter, “Don’t even think about it. You
are going to finish your homework and go to bed.” This parenting style comprises of parents
having high expectations from their children but offer little nurturance. Mistakes are punished
severely.
As a permissive parent, I would tell my daughter, “Sure, darling, you may go.” This style of
parenting is characterized by higher responsiveness with lower demands. This parenting style
is equivalent to treating children in a friendly manner (Steinberg and Darling 2017).
As a negligent parent, I would tell my daughter, “Yeah, alright. I have an important meeting.
Talk to you later baby.” This parenting style is defined by a lack of responsiveness towards
the need of the child. Parents are characteristically indifferent and neglectful.

2PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Chapter 6:
Question 1 a.:
 Unconditioned stimulus: Monsta treats
 Unconditioned response: Monster drooling on him
 Conditioned stimulus: Lio knowingly opening the bag of Monsta treats
 Conditioned response: Monster drooling on him
Response 1 b.:
This is a characteristic case of generalization as the Monster is mentioned to be
drooling over the monster treats. It has been mentioned that Lio had exhibited the behaviour
previously and the response has not changed. Generalization is basically when an organism
behaves similarly to two different stimulus.
Response 1 c.
Extinction can be brought about by ceasing the unconditioned as well as the
conditioned stimulus which here refers to Lio opening the bag of Monsta treats. The
spontaneous recovery could be explained as the moment when the Monster would stop
drooling over Lio and again when Lio opens the packet, the Monster would start drooling.
Response 2:
 The classic conditioning can be identified as: The man in the Comics salivating
 The operant conditioning can be identified as: The man going outside to get the ice-
cream.
 The unconditioned stimulus can be identified as: The ice-cream bell

3PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
 The unconditioned response can be identified as: The man going outside to get the
ice-cream
 The conditioned stimulus can be identified as: The man hearing the ice-cream bell and
seeing the ice-cream van
 The conditioned response can be identified as: The man salivating
Response 3 a.:
Schedule of reinforcement
Fixed ratio: FR1
Variable ratio: VR3
Fixed interval: FI10
Variable interval: VI10
Response b.
Fixed ratio: FR6
Variable ratio: VR6
Fixed interval: FI60
Variable interval: VI60
Response c.
Fixed ratio: FR3
Variable ratio: VR2
Fixed interval: FI10
Variable interval: VI15
Response d.
Fixed ratio: FR2
Variable ratio: VR2
Fixed interval: FI 10

4PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Variable interval: VI10
Response 4:
The behaviour I would like to change in myself would include, controlling my short-
temper. The five steps that I would include in my self-training plan would comprise of the
following:
Pre-contemplation: This stage would include my negative reflex towards my short-temper
and me trying to justify myself by thinking it is okay to be short-tempered.
Contemplation: This stage would include me to introspect upon the change I need to include
in my behaviour in order to become a better person. At this stage, I would think about how
people react when I show my anger to them.
Determination: In this stage, I will prepare myself mentally as well as physically to change
my self. I would decide to practice yoga and meditation to gain composure and mental peace
Action: I would routinely perform yoga and meditation to acquire composure and mental
stability
Maintenance: This step is the most important step and I would critically keep myself
motivated to practice yoga and meditation so as to bring a change in my behaviour.
Response 5:
According to Jones et al. (2015), children do not learn to differentiate between right
and wrong through punishments and accusations. In the words of Power (2013), punishments
block their mind and they tend to become rebellious in nature. However, it should be
mentioned in this context, that the act of generosity, kindness, responsibility and maintenance
of a transparent relationship between the parents and the children make them comfortable and
help them judge right and wrong. Children learn more by observing and a strong connection

5PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
with parents can help mould the children in the correct manner (Walker 2017). A loving
guidance with a proper explanation of why one particular demand of the children is rejected
by the parents would help the child accept the decision of the parent in the most convenient
manner.
Response 6:
According to my perspective, my friend is offering a reward based intrinsic
motivation in order to encourage his son to read books. However, this form of motivation is
not appropriate, as it would not benefit the child. The rationale for not supporting this type of
motivation can be explained as the child’s pursuit to finish reading 10 books at a pace in
order to win a video game. This would damage the inherent desire in the boy to read books to
know facts or know the world. The child would become immensely competitive and video
games would affect him negatively by cutting down his leisure time. Instead, my friend could
take his son out and enjoy a quality leisure time with nature. This in turn would strengthen
their relationship.

6PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
References:
Jones, J.D., Cassidy, J. and Shaver, P.R., 2015. Parents’ self-reported attachment styles: A
review of links with parenting behaviors, emotions, and cognitions. Personality and Social
Psychology Review, 19(1), pp.44-76.
Keverne, E.B., 2014. Significance of epigenetics for understanding brain development, brain
evolution and behaviour. Neuroscience, 264, pp.207-217.
Power, T.G., 2013. Parenting dimensions and styles: a brief history and recommendations for
future research. Childhood Obesity, 9(s1), pp.S-14.
Steinberg, L. and Darling, N., 2017. Parenting style as context: An integrative model.
In Interpersonal Development (pp. 161-170). Routledge.
Walker, S., 2017. Learning theory and behaviour modification. Routledge.pp.119-121