Ch. 6

Question 1

The process of acquiring, through experience, new and relatively enduring information or behaviors

Answer 1

Learning

Question 2

Learning that certain events occur together

Answer 2

Associative learning

Question 3

Any event or situation that evokes a response

Answer 3

Stimulus

Question 4

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Answer 4

Respondent behavior

Question 5

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Answer 5

Operant behavior

Question 6

The acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language

Answer 6

Cognitive learning

Question 7

A type of learning in which we learn to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events

Answer 7

Classical conditioning

Question 8

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that evokes no response before conditioning

Answer 8

Neutral stimulus (NS)

Question 9

In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditioned stimulus (such as food in the mouth(

Answer 9

Unconditioned response (UR)

Question 10

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers a response

Answer 10

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

Question 11

In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus

Answer 11

Conditioned response (CR)

Question 12

In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response

Answer 12

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Question 13

In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when we link a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response

Answer 13

Acquisition

Question 14

In classical conditioning, the weakening of a conditioned response when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus

Answer 14

Extinction

Question 15

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response

Answer 15

Spontaneous recovery

Question 16

In classical conditioning, the tendency, after conditioning, to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus

Answer 16

Generalization

Question 17

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguished between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli

Answer 17

Discrimination

Question 18

A type of learning in which a behavior becomes more probable if followed by a reinforcer or is diminished if followed by a punisher

Answer 18

Operant conditioning

Question 19

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely

Answer 19

Law of effect

Question 20

In operant conditioning research, a chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking

Answer 20

Operant chamber

Question 21

In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

Answer 21

Reinforcement

Question 22

An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide actions closer and closer toward a desired behavior

Answer 22

Shaping

Question 23

Increases behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is anything that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response

Answer 23

Positive reinforcement

Question 24

Increases behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is anything that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response

Answer 24

Negative reinforcement

Question 25

An event that is innately reinforcing, often by satisfying a biological need

Answer 25

Primary reinforcer

Question 26

An event that gains its reinforcing power through its link with a primary reinforcer (aka secondary reinforcer)

Answer 26

Conditioned reinforcer

Question 27

A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

Answer 27

Reinforcement schedule

Question 28

Reinforcing a desired response every time it occurs

Answer 28

Continuous reinforcement

Question 29

Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement

Answer 29

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Question 30

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

Answer 30

Fixed-ratio schedule

Question 31

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed

Answer 31

Fixed-interval schedule

Question 32

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals

Answer 32

Variable-interval schedule

Question 33

An event that decreases the behavior that follows

Answer 33

Punishment

Question 34

Evolved biological tendencies that predispose animals’ behavior and learning. Thus, certain behaviors are more easily learned than others

Answer 34

Biological constraints

Question 35

The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes

Answer 35

Behaviorism

Question 36

A mental image of the layout of one’s environment

Answer 36

Cognitive map

Question 37

Learning that is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

Answer 37

Latent learning

Question 38

A desire to perform a behavior well for its own sake

Answer 38

Intrinsic motivation

Question 39

A desire to perform a behavior to gain a reward or avoid punishment

Answer 39

Extrinsic motivation

Question 40

Learning by observing others

Answer 40

Observational learning

Question 41

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Answer 41

Modeling

Question 42

A neuron that fires when we perform certain actions and when we observe others performing those actions; a neural basis for imitation and observational learning

Answer 42

Mirror neuron

Question 43

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior

Answer 43

Pro social behavior