Chapter 5: Learning

Question 1

Learning Definition

Answer 1

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge, due to experience

Question 2

Unconditioned stimulus

Answer 2

• always elicits a reflex action (an unconditioned response)

Question 3

Unconditioned response

Answer 3

• a naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus

Question 4

Conditioned stimulus

Answer 4

• originally neutral, but becomes conditioned after it has been paired with the unconditioned stimulus

Question 5

Conditioned response

Answer 5

• original unconditioned response becomes conditioned after it has been elicited by the neutral stimulus

Question 6

CONTIGUITY;

Answer 6

CS and UCS occur very close together

Question 7

PREDICTION;

Answer 7

CS predicts the UCS

Question 8

Acquisition -

Answer 8

the probability of a CR increase as the CS is paired with the UCS

Question 9

Extinction

Answer 9

• The probability of a CR decreases as the CS and the UCS stop being paired together

Question 10

Spontaneous recovery -

Answer 10

the CS spontaneously prompts the CR after extinction

Question 11

Savings -

Answer 11

when the original pairing is renewed after extinction, the CR becomes stronger more quickly

Question 12

Stimulus generalization -

Answer 12

once a CR has been conditioned to a particular CS, similar stimuli may also elicit the response

Question 13

Stimulus Discrimination -

Answer 13

the process by whch an organism learns to respond differently to stimuli that are distinct from the CS on some dimension

Question 14

Taste Aversions -

Answer 14

learned associations with a feeling

Question 15

biological preparedness —

Answer 15

the idea that an organism is innately predisposed to form associations between certain stimuli and responses

Question 16

THORNDIKE’S LAW OF EFFECT

Answer 16

Behavior is controlled by its consequences; behavior that is reinforced increase, while behavior that is punished decreases

Question 17

REINFORCEMENT

Answer 17

A reinforcer is any consequence that strengthens or increases behavior; may be positive or negative

Question 18

Positive REINFORCEMENT

Answer 18

• this strengthens a response by presenting or adding a desirable stimulus after a response

Question 19

NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

Answer 19

strengthens a response by removing an aversive stimulus after a response

Question 20

A Punisher

Answer 20

is an aversive consequence that weakens or decreases the frequency of a behavior; may be positive or negative

Question 21

Positive punishment

Answer 21

• the application or addition of an unpleasant stimulus

Question 22

Negative punishment

Answer 22

• the removal of a pleasant stimulus

Question 23

Fixed-interval:

Answer 23

reinforce the first response after a fixed time period
Biweekly pay

Question 24

Fixed-ratio:

Answer 24

reinforce the behavior after a set number of responses
After every third time dog rolls over, you give treat

Question 25

Variable-interval:

Answer 25

requires that a given amount of time elapses between one reinforced response and the next, ON THE AVERAGE
random pop quizzes

Question 26

Variable-ratio:

Answer 26

requires that, on the average, a given number of responses be performed before a response is reinforced
slot machine

Question 27

Shaping

Answer 27

• the systematic reinforcement of gradual approximations toward the desired behavior

Question 28

Gradient of reinforcement -

Answer 28

the length of time that occurs between the operant response and the reinforcement (or punishment)
Length of time affects strength of condition

Question 29

Premack Principle -

Answer 29

more preferred activities reinforce less preferred ones

Question 30

“Place Learning” group

Answer 30

rats learns and performs better because they’re creating a map of the maze

Question 31

LEARNED HELPLESSNESS

Answer 31

A phenomenon in which exposure to inescapable and uncontrollable aversive events produces passive behavior.

Question 32

INSTINCTIVE DRIFT

Answer 32

The tendency of an animal to revert to instinctive behaviors that can interfere with the performance of an operantly conditioned response.

Question 33

OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING

Answer 33

Defined as learning by observing and imitating the behavior of others

Question 34

Vicarious Learning -

Answer 34

You can always learn from watching other people, you don’t have to do it yourself to learn

Question 35

MEMORY

Answer 35

The persistence of learning over time via the storage and retrieval of information