Chapter 11: Learning

Question 1

acquisition

Answer 1

the development of a learned response

Question 2

associative learning

Answer 2

the formation of associations, or connections, among stimuli and behaviours

Question 3

aversion therapy

Answer 3

• an application of counterconditioning
• when a conditioned stimulus(CS) is paired with a unpleased unconditioned stimulus instead of a pleasant UCS

Question 4

classical conditioning

Answer 4

• a type of learning
• associations are formed between two stimuli that occur sequentially over time

Question 5

conditioned reinforcers

Answer 5

• a reinforcer that gains value from being associated with other things that are valued
• aka: secondary reinforcer

Question 6

conditioned responses(CRs)

Answer 6

a response learned through classical conditioning

Question 7

conditioned stimulus(CS)

Answer 7

an environmental event whose significance is learned through classical conditioning

Question 8

discrimination

Answer 8

a learned ability to distinguish between stimuli

Question 9

explicit learning

Answer 9

learning that involves conscious awareness

Question 10

extinction

Answer 10

• the reduction of a learned response
• classical conditioning: occurs when the UCS no longer follows the CS in
• operant conditioning: occurs when the consequence no longer follows the learned behaviour

Question 11

fixed interval(FI) schedule

Answer 11

• a schedule of reinforcement
• the first response following a specified interval is reinforced

Question 12

fixed ratio(FR) schedule

Answer 12

• a schedule of reinforcement
• reinforcement occurs following a set number of behaviours

Question 13

generalization

Answer 13

the tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to an original conditioned stimulus(CS)

Question 14

habituation

Answer 14

• a simple form of learning
• reactions to repeated stimulus are unchanging and harmless decrease

Question 15

higher-order conditioning

Answer 15

• learning
• stimuli associated with a conditioned stimulus(CS) also elicit conditioned responses(CRs)

Question 16

imitation

Answer 16

copying behaviour that is unlikely to occur naturally and spontaneously

Question 17

implicit learning

Answer 17

learning that occurs in the absence of awareness

Question 18

inhibition

Answer 18

• a feature of classical conditioning
• conditioned stimulus(CS) predicts the nonoccurrence of an unconditioned stimulus(UCS)

Question 19

instincts

Answer 19

• an inborn pattern of behaviour evoked by environmental stimuli
• aka: a fixed action pattern

Question 20

latent inhibition

Answer 20

• the slower learning
• occurs when a conditioned stimulus(CS) is already familiar compared to when the CS is unfamiliar

Question 21

latent learning

Answer 21

learning that occurs in the absence of reinforcement

Question 22

learning

Answer 22

a relatively permanent change in behaviour or the capacity dor it due to experience

Question 23

method of successive approximations

Answer 23

• a method for increasing the frequency of behaviours that never or rarely occur
• aka: shaping

Question 24

negative punishment

Answer 24

• a method for reducing behavior
• removing something desirable whenever the target behaviour occurs

Question 25

negative reinforcement

Answer 25

• a method for increasing behaviors
• allows an organism to avoid an unpleasant consequence

Question 26

nonassociative learning

Answer 26

learning that involves changes in the magnitude of responses to stimuli

Question 27

observational learning

Answer 27

• learning that occurs when one organism watches the actions of another
• aka: social learning/modelling

Question 28

operant conditioning

Answer 28

• a type of learning
• associations are formed between behaviour and their outcomes

Question 29

partial reinforcement

Answer 29

the reinforcement of a desired behaviour on some occasions, but not others

Question 30

partial reinforcement effect of extinction

Answer 30

• the more rapid extinction observed
• happens with continuous reinforcement

Question 31

positive punishment

Answer 31

a consequence that eliminates or reduces the frequency of a behavior by applying aversion stimulus

Question 32

punishment

Answer 32

a consequence that eliminates/reduces the frequency of a behaviour

Question 33

reflexes

Answer 33

an inevitable, involuntary response to stimuli

Question 34

sensitization

Answer 34

an increased reaction to many stimuli following exposure to one strong stimulus

Question 35

spontaneous recovery

Answer 35

• happens during extinction learning
• the reappearance of conditioned responses(CRs) after periods of rest

Question 36

systematic desensitization

Answer 36

• a type of counterconditioning
• people relax while being exposed to stimuli that elicit fear

Question 37

token economy

Answer 37

• an application of operant conditioning
• tokens that can be exchanged for further reinforcers are used to increase the frequency of desirable behaviours(sylvan token system)

Question 38

unconditioned response(UCRs)

Answer 38

a response to an unconditioned stimulus that requires no previous experience

Question 39

unconditioned stimulus(UCS)

Answer 39

a stimulus that elicits a response without prior experience

Question 40

variable interval(VI) schedule

Answer 40

• a schedule of reinforcement
• the first response following a varying period is reinforced

Question 41

variable ratio(VR) schedules

Answer 41

• a schedule of reinforcement
• reinforcement occurs following some variable number of behaviours