Chaper 8: Learning

Question 0

learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequences (as in operant conditioning).

Answer 0

Associative learning

Question 1

a relatively permanent change in an organism’s behavior due to experience.

Answer 1

Learning

Question 2

a type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neutral stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (US) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus. Also called Pavlovian or respondent conditioning.

Answer 2

Classical learning

Question 3

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not (2).

Answer 3

Behaviorism

Question 4

in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth.

Answer 4

Unconditioned response

Question 5

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers a response.

Answer 5

Unconditioned stimulus

Question 6

in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (UR)

Answer 6

Unconditioned response

Question 7

in classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Answer 7

Conditioned stimulus

Question 8

the initial stage in classical conditioning; the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response.

Answer 8

Acquisition

Question 9

the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.

Answer 9

Extinction

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Spontaneous recovery

Question 11

the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.

Answer 11

Generalization

Question 12

in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Answer 12

Discrimination

Question 13

a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher.

Answer 13

Operant conditioning

Question 14

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus; Skinner’s term for behavior learned through classical conditioning.

Answer 14

Respondent behavior

Question 15

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences.

Answer 15

Operant behavior

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Law or effect

Question 17

a chamber also known as a Skinner box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research.

Answer 17

Operant chamber

Question 18

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.

Answer 18

Shaping