Chapter 5

Question 1

learning

Answer 1

a relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience

Question 2

behaviorism

Answer 2

a theory of learning that focuses solely on observable behaviors

Question 3

associative learning

Answer 3

learning that occurs when an organism makes a connection between two events

Question 4

classical conditioning

Answer 4

learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an innately meaningful stimulus and requires the capacity to elicit a similar response

Question 5

unconditioned stimulus

Answer 5

a stimulus that produces a response without prior learning (smell of your favorite food makes you hungry)

Question 6

unconditioned response

Answer 6

an unlearned reaction that is automatically elicited by the unconditioned stimulus (feeling of hunger after smelling favorite food)

Question 7

neutral stimulus

Answer 7

a stimulus that at first elicits no response (sound of the bell)

Question 8

conditioned stimulus

Answer 8

a previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits a conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus (sound of the bell)

Question 9

conditioned response

Answer 9

the learned response to the conditioned stimulus that occurs after a conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus pairing (feeling hungry after hearing the bell)

Question 10

acquisition

Answer 10

when a response is established based on the conditioning (acquiring the skill)

Question 11

extinction

Answer 11

the weakening of the conditioned response that results in the behavior decreasing

Question 12

spontaneous recovery

Answer 12

when a conditioned response can recur after a time delay without further conditioning

Question 13

generalization

Answer 13

performing a reinforced behavior in a different situation (salivating at the sound of a different high pitched noise)

Question 14

discrimination

Answer 14

the process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not others

Question 15

counterconditioning

Answer 15

changing the relationship between a conditioned stimulus and its conditioned response (trying to overcome a fear)

Question 16

aversive conditioning

Answer 16

the use of something unpleasant to stop an unwanted behavior

Question 17

habituation

Answer 17

decreased responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated presentations

Question 18

operant conditioning

Answer 18

a form of associative learning in which the consequences change the probability of a behaviors occurrence

Question 19

shaping

Answer 19

rewarding successive approximations of desired behavior (learning to crawl, stand, step, walk)

Question 20

reinforcement

Answer 20

the process by which a stimulus or an event following a particular behavior increases the probability it will happen again

Question 21

positive reinforcement

Answer 21

the presentation of a stimulus following a behavior in order to increase the frequency of said behavior

Question 22

negative reinforcement

Answer 22

the removal of a stimulus following a behavior in order to increase the frequency of said behavior

Question 23

learned helplessness

Answer 23

an organism learning that it has no control over negative outcomes

Question 24

primary reinforcer

Answer 24

a reinforcer that does not take any learning to make it pleasureable (essential to survival)

Question 25

secondary reinforcer

Answer 25

a reinforcer that is learned or conditioned (money, candy, etc)

Question 26

punishment

Answer 26

a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior

Question 27

positive punishment

Answer 27

presentation of a stimulus following a behavior to decrease the frequency of said behavior

Question 28

negative punishment

Answer 28

the removal of a stimulus following a behavior in order to decrease the frequency of said behavior

Question 29

latent learning

Answer 29

unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behavior (learning all the words to a song on the radio)

Question 30

insight learning

Answer 30

a form of problem solving in which the organism develops a sudden insight or understanding of a problems solution (suddenly remembering an answer to a question on a test)