Chapter 6

Question 1

Acquisition

Answer 1

The formation of a new conditioned response tendency.

Question 2

Antecedents`

Answer 2

In behaviour modification, events that typically precede the target response.

Question 3

Avoidance learning

Answer 3

Learning that has occurred when an organism engages in a response that prevents aversive stimulation from occurring. Turning on air conditioner before a room gets hot (follows from escape learning, which would turn it on in response).

Question 4

`Behaviour modification

Answer 4

A systematic approach to changing behaviour through the application of the principles of conditioning.

Question 5

Behavioural contract

Answer 5

A written agreement outlining a promise to adhere to the contingencies of a behaviour modification program.

Question 6

Classical conditioning

Answer 6

A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus acquires the ability to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus.

Question 7

Conditioned reinforcers.

Answer 7

Stimulus events that acquire reinforcing qualities by being associated with primary reinforcers.

Question 8

Conditioned response (CR)

Answer 8

A learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus that occurs because of previous conditioning.

Question 9

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 9

A previously neutral stimulus that has, through conditioning, acquired the capacity to evoke a conditioned response.

Question 10

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 10

Reinforcing every instance of a designated response.

Question 11

Cumulative recorder

Answer 11

A graphic record of reinforcement and responding in a Skinner box as a function of time.

Question 12

Discriminative stimuli

Answer 12

Cues that influence operant behaviour by indicating the probable consequences (reinforcement or nonreinforcement) of a response.

Question 13

Elicit

Answer 13

To draw out or bring forth.

Question 14

Emit

Answer 14

To send forth.

Question 15

Escape learning

Answer 15

A type of learning in which an organism acquires a response that decreases or ends some aversive stimulation. Turning on air conditioner to escape stifling heat - negative reinforcement.

Question 16

Extinction

Answer 16

The gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response tendency.

Question 17

Fixed-interval (FI) schedule

Answer 17

A reinforcement schedule in which the reinforcer is given for the first response that occurs after a fixed time interval has elapsed.

Question 18

Fixed-ratio (FR) schedule

Answer 18

A reinforcement schedule in which the reinforcer is given after a fixed number of nonreinforced responses.

Question 19

Higher-order conditioning

Answer 19

A type of conditioning in which a conditioned stimulus functions as if it were an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 20

Instinctive drift

Answer 20

The tendency for an animal’s innate responses to interfere with conditioning processes.

Question 21

Instrumental learning.

Answer 21

A form of learning in which voluntary responses come to be controlled by their consequences.

Question 22

Intermittent reinforcement

Answer 22

A reinforcement schedule in which a designated response is reinforced only some of the time.

Question 23

Law of effect

Answer 23

The principle that if a response in the presence of a stimulus leads to satisfying effects, the association between the stimulus and the response is strengthened.

Question 24

Learning

Answer 24

A relatively durable change in behaviour or knowledge that is due to experience.

Question 25

Negative punishment

Answer 25

The removal of a rewarding stimulus. Removal of TV priviledges

Question 26

Negative reinforcement

Answer 26

The strengthening of a response because it is followed by the removal of an aversive (unpleasant) stimulus. Put on a sweater in a cold house so you don’t get cold.

Question 27

Observational learning

Answer 27

A type of learning that occurs when an organism’s responding is influenced by the observation of others, who are called models. When a behaviour is strengthened indirectly, through vicarious conditioning, this process is at work

Question 28

Operant chamber

Answer 28

small enclosure in which an animal can make a specific response that is systematically recorded while the consequences of the response are controlled.

Question 29

Operant conditioning

Answer 29

A form of learning in which voluntary responses come to be controlled by their consequences.

Question 30

Partial reinforcement

Answer 30

A reinforcement schedule in which a designated response is reinforced only some of the time.

Question 31

Pavlovian conditioning.

Answer 31

A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus acquires the ability to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus.

Question 32

Phobias

Answer 32

Irrational fears of specific objects or situations`

Question 33

Positive punishment `

Answer 33

The presentation of an aversive stimulus. Corporal punishment

Question 34

Positive reinforcement

Answer 34

Reinforcement that occurs when a response is strengthened because it is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus.

Question 35

Preparedness

Answer 35

A species-specific predisposition to be conditioned in certain ways and not others. Seligman - Taste aversion conditioning - to look out for poisonous foods, aversion can be conditioned with only one pairing.

Question 36

Primary reinforcers

Answer 36

Events that are inherently reinforcing because they satisfy biological needs. Eating, sex, etc.

Question 37

Punishment

Answer 37

An event that follows a response that weakens or suppresses the tendency to make that response.

Question 38

Reinforcement

Answer 38

An event following a response that strengthens the tendency to make that response.

Question 39

Reinforcement contingencies

Answer 39

The circumstances or rules that determine whether responses lead to the presentation of reinforcers.

Question 40

Resistance to extinction

Answer 40

In operant conditioning, the phenomenon that occurs when an organism continues to make a response after delivery of the reinforcer for it has been terminated.

Question 41

Schedule of reinforcement

Answer 41

A specific presentation of reinforcers over time.

Question 42

Secondary (conditioned) reinforcers

Answer 42

Stimulus events that acquire reinforcing qualities by being associated with primary reinforcers.

Question 43

Shaping

Answer 43

The reinforcement of closer and closer approximations of a desired response.

Question 44

Skinner box

Answer 44

small enclosure in which an animal can make a specific response that is systematically recorded while the consequences of the response are controlled.

Question 45

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 45

In classical conditioning, the reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of nonexposure to the conditioned stimulus.

Question 46

Stimulus discrimination

Answer 46

The phenomenon that occurs when an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus does not respond in the same way to stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus.

Question 47

Stimulus generalization

Answer 47

The phenomenon that occurs when an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus responds in the same way to new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus.

Question 48

Token economy

Answer 48

A system for doling out symbolic reinforcers that are exchanged later for a variety of genuine reinforcers.

Question 49

Trial

Answer 49

In classical conditioning, any presentation of a stimulus or pair of stimuli.

Question 50

Unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 50

An unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus that occurs without previous conditioning.

Question 51

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 51

A stimulus that evokes an unconditioned response without previous conditioning.

Question 52

Variable-interval (VI) schedule

Answer 52

A reinforcement schedule in which the reinforcer is given for the first response after a variable time interval has elapsed.

Question 53

Variable-ratio (VR) schedule

Answer 53

A reinforcement schedule in which the reinforcer is given after a variable number of nonreinforced responses.

Question 54

Two Process Theory of Avoidance

Answer 54

Warning light that a shock is about to occur, shock occurs, mouse runs to other compartment - escape learning, fleeing = operant response, negative reinforcement. Fleeing before shock occurs = avoidance learning, no chance for negative reinforcement. Avoidance removes an internal aversive stimulus - CONDITIONED FEAR, rather than external (shock). Fear response is acquired through classical conditioning, it is maintained through operant conditioning.

Question 55

Classical vs. Operant (instrumental) conditioning

Answer 55

classical (Pavlov) best explains reflexive responding that is largely controlled by stimuli that PRECEDE the response. Operant conditioning (Skinner) is controlled by consequences that come AFTER. Same as instrumental learning (Thorndike)

Question 56

Self-Modification Program

Answer 56

1. Specify Target Behaviour
2. Gather Baseline Data
3. Design Program
4. Execute and evaluate - contract
5. Bring program to end