Testing Conditioning Methods Through Sniffy Simulation

Testing Conditioning Methods through Sniffy Simulation Amir Ayoub Fordham University Abstract This lab tests different forms of conditioning on a virtual rat named Sniffy. In this experiment we began with the virtual rat completely unconditioned and then worked towards getting Sniffy to pull the lever and get food on his own. We went through many steps to complete this task starting with getting Sniffy to notice the food chamber, the lever, and finally having Sniffy realize he can obtain food whenever he wanted by pressing the lever. Then, pushing it further, we made him press the level two, three, four and then five times to receive one pellet. All of these steps tested the idea that receiving the food as a reward will allow Sniffy to realize the benefits of learning and conditioning himself to do things that have a positive outcome more. Testing Conditioning Methods through Sniffy Simulation This lab is focused on the ideas of classical and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is when a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit an unconditioned response. In time this turns the neutral stimulus into a conditioned stimulus that causes a conditioned response. Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through reinforcements and punishments for behavior and encourages associating desirable or undesirable outcomes with certain behaviors. The most famous research on this would be