Chapter 6 & 7- Senses & Learnin

Question 1

Gate-Control Theory

Answer 1

The theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass on to the brain. The “gate” is opened by the activity of pain signals traveling up small nerve fibers and is closed by large activity in larger fibers or by information coming from the brain

Question 2

Sensory Interaction

Answer 2

The principal that one sense may influence another, and when the smell of food influences its taste

Question 3

Embodied Cognition

Answer 3

In psychological science, the influence of bodily sensations, gestures, and other states on cognitive preferences and judgements

Question 4

Kinesthesis

Answer 4

The system for sensing the position and moment of individual body parts

Question 5

Learning

Answer 5

The process of acquiring new relatively enduring information behaviors

Question 6

Associative Learning

Answer 6

Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or response and its consequences ( as in operant conditioning)

Question 7

Stimulis

Answer 7

Any event or situation that evokes response

Question 8

Cognitive Learning

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Classical Conditioning

Answer 9

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate others

Question 10

Behaviorism

Answer 10

The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with 1 and not 2

Question 11

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Answer 11

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning

Question 12

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Answer 12

In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salvation) to an Unconditioned Stimulus (US) (such as food in the mouth)

Question 13

Unconditioned Stimulis (US)

Answer 13

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally- naturally and automatically- trigger a response (UR)

Question 14

Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 14

In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditional) stimulus

Question 15

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Answer 15

In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an Unconditioned Stimulus (US) comes to trigger a Conditioned Response (CR)

Question 16

Acquisition

Answer 16

In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neural stimulus and unconditioned stimulus so that the neural stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response

Question 17

Higher-Order Conditioning

Answer 17

A procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with new neural stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus

Question 18

Extinction

Answer 18

The diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced

Question 19

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 19

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response

Question 20

Generalization

Answer 20

The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses

Question 21

Discrimination

Answer 21

A classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus

Question 22

Operant Conditioning

Answer 22

The type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

Question 23

Law of Effect

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Operant Chamber

Answer 24

In operant conditioning research, a chamber (also known as Skinner box) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animals rate of bar pressing or key pecking

Question 25

Reinforcement

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Shaping

Answer 26

In coherent conditioning, procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

Question 27

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 27

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers; Reinforcement that strengthens the response

Question 28

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 28

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli; not punishment

Question 29

Primary Reinforcer

Answer 29

An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need

Question 30

Conditioned Reinforcer

Answer 30

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with primary reinforcer; aka secondary reinforcer

Question 31

Reinforcement Schedule

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Continuous Reinforcement

Answer 32

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Question 33

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Answer 35

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

Question 36

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Variable-Interval Schedule

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Respondent Behavior

Answer 38

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimuli

Question 39

Operant Behavior

Answer 39

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Question 40

Cognitive Map

Answer 40

A mental representation of the layout of ones environment

Question 41

Latent Learning

Answer 41

Learning hat occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

Question 42

Intrinsic Motivation

Answer 42

A desire to perform a behavior effectively of its own sake

Question 43

Extrinsic Motivation

Answer 43

A desire to preform a behavior o receive promised rewards or avoid threshold punishment

Question 44

Observational Learning

Answer 44

Learning by observing others

Question 45

Modeling

Answer 45

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Question 46

Mirror Neurons

Answer 46

Frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when preforming certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brains mirroring of another’s actions may enables imitation and empathy

Question 47

Prosocial Behavior

Answer 47

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior; opposite of antisocial behavior