Chapter 6

Question 1

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

Answer 1

associative learning

Question 2

any event or situation that evokes a response

Answer 2

stimulus

Question 3

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Answer 3

respondent behavior

Question 4

behavior that operates on the environment producing a consequence.

Answer 4

operant behavior

Question 5

the acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language

Answer 5

cognitive learning

Question 6

a type of learning in which we link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.

Answer 6

classical conditioning

Question 7

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that evokes no response before conditioning (Pavlov’s experiment sounding a tone would make the dog salivate if given food after)

Answer 7

neutral stimulus

Question 8

in classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditional stimulus (such as food in the mouth).

Answer 8

unconditioned response (UR)

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

Question 10

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

Answer 10

conditioned response (CR)

Question 11

an originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus comes to trigger a conditioned response

Answer 11

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Question 12

in classical conditioning, the initial stage- when we link a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response

Answer 12

acquisition

Question 13

in classical conditioning, the weakening of a conditioned response when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus

Answer 13

extinction

Question 14

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

Answer 14

spontaneous recovery

Question 15

in classical conditioning, the tendency, after conditioning, to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Answer 15

generalization

Question 16

a type of learning in which a behavior becomes more probable if followed by a reinforcer or less probable if followed by a punisher.

Answer 16

operant conditioning

Question 17

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

Answer 17

law of effect

Question 18

in operant conditioning research, a chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain food or water reinforcer

Answer 18

operant chamber

Question 19

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

Answer 19

reinforcement

Question 20

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide actions closer and closer toward a desired behavior

Answer 20

shaping

Question 21

increasing behaviors by presenting a pleasurable stimulus, such as food. anything that when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

Answer 21

positive reinforcement

Question 22

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing aversive stimuli, such as an electric shock. anything that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response.

Answer 22

negative reinforcement

Question 23

an event that is innately reinforcing, often by satisfying a biological need.

Answer 23

primary reinforcer

Question 24

an event that gains its reinforcing power through its link with a primary reinforcer

Answer 24

conditioned reinforcer

Question 25

a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

Answer 25

reinforcement schedule

Question 26

reinforcing a desired response every time it occurs

Answer 26

continuous reinforcement

Question 27

reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.

Answer 27

partial reinforcement

Question 28

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

Answer 28

fixed-ratio schedule

Question 29

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after and unpredictable number of response.

Answer 29

variable ratio schedule

Question 30

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

Answer 30

fixed-interval schedule

Question 31

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Answer 31

variable-interval schedule

Question 32

an event that decreases the behavior it follows

Answer 32

punishment

Question 33

a mental image of the layout of one’s environment

Answer 33

cognitive map

Question 34

learning that is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

Answer 34

latent learning

Question 35

learning by observing others

Answer 35

observational learning

Question 36

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Answer 36

modeling

Question 37

a neuron that fires when we perform certain actions and when we observe others performing those actions; a neural basis for imitation and observational learning

Answer 37

mirror neuron

Question 38

positive, constructive, helpful behavior. the opposite of antisocial behavior

Answer 38

prosocial behavior