Chapter 5: Learning

Question 1

learning

Answer 1

A relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience.

Question 2

classical conditioning

Answer 2

A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus comes to bring about a response after it is paired with a stimulus that naturally brings about that response

Question 3

neutral stimulus

Answer 3

A stimulus that, before conditioning, does not naturally

bring about the response of interest.

Question 4

unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 4

A stimulus that naturally brings about a particular response without having been learned.

Question 5

unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 5

A response that is natural and needs no training (e.g., salivation at the smell of food).

Question 6

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 6

A once-neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus to bring about a response formerly caused only by the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 7

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 7

A response that, after conditioning, follows a previously neutral stimulus (e.g., salivation at the ringing of a bell).

Question 8

extinction

Answer 8

A basic phenomenon of learning that occurs when a previously conditioned response decreases in frequency and eventually disappears.

Question 9

spontaneous recovery

Answer 9

The reemergence of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest and with no further conditioning

Question 10

stimulus generalization

Answer 10

A process in which, after a stimulus has been conditioned to produce a particular response, stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus produce the same response.

Question 11

stimulus discrimination

Answer 11

The process that occurs if two stimuli are sufficiently distinct from one another that one evokes a conditioned response but the other does not; the ability to differentiate between stimuli.

Question 12

operant conditioning

Answer 12

Learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its favorable or unfavorable consequences.

Question 13

reinforcement

Answer 13

The process by which a stimulus increases the probability that a preceding behavior will be repeated.

Question 14

reinforcer

Answer 14

Any stimulus that increases the probability that a preceding behavior will occur again.

Question 15

positive reinforcer

Answer 15

A stimulus added to the environment that brings about an increase in a preceding response.

Question 16

negative reinforcer

Answer 16

An unpleasant stimulus whose removal leads to an

increase in the probability that a preceding response will be repeated in the future.

Question 17

punishment

Answer 17

A stimulus that decreases the probability that a previous

behavior will occur again.

Question 18

schedules of reinforcement

Answer 18

Different patterns of frequency and timing of reinforcement following desired behavior.

Question 19

continuous reinforcement schedule

Answer 19

A schedule in which behavior is reinforced every time the behavior occurs.

Question 20

partial (or intermittent) reinforcement schedule

Answer 20

Reinforcing of a behavior some but not all of the time.

Question 21

fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 21

A schedule in which reinforcement is given only after a specific number of responses are made.

Question 22

variable-ratio schedule

Answer 22

A schedule by which reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses rather than after a fixed number.

Question 23

fixed-interval schedule

Answer 23

A schedule in which reinforcement is provided for a response only after a fixed time period has elapsed.

Question 24

variable-interval schedule

Answer 24

A schedule by which the time between reinforcements varies around some average rather than being fixed.

Question 25

shaping

Answer 25

The process of teaching a complex behavior by rewarding closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.

Question 26

behavior modification

Answer 26

A technique whose goal is to increase the frequency of desirable behaviors and decrease the incidence of unwanted ones.

Question 27

cognitive learning theory

Answer 27

An approach to the study of learning that focuses on the thought processes that underlie learning.

Question 28

latent learning

Answer 28

Learning in which a new behavior is acquired but is not

demonstrated until some incentive is provided for displaying it.

Question 29

observational learning

Answer 29

Learning by observing the behavior of another person, or model.