Chapter 6 Learning

Question 1

acquisition

Answer 1

The gradual formation of an association between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli

Question 2

behavior modification

Answer 2

The use of operant conditioning techniques to eliminate unwanted behaviors and replace them with desirable ones

Question 3

Classical conditioning (Pavlovian conditioning)

Answer 3

A type of learned response; a neutral object comes to elicit a response when it is associated with a stimuli that already produces that reponse

Question 4

cognitive map

Answer 4

A spacial/visual mental representation of an environment

Question 5

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 5

A response to a conditioned stimulus; a response that has been learned.

Question 6

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 6

A stimulus that elicits a response only after learning has taken place. (See page 227)

Question 7

continuous reinforcement

Answer 7

A type of learning in which behavior is reinforced each time it occurs.

Question 8

extinction

Answer 8

A process in which the conditioned response is weakened when the conditioned stimulus is repeated without the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 9

fixed schedule

Answer 9

A schedule in which reinforcement is provided after a specific number of occurrences or after a specific amount of time.

Question 10

habituation

Answer 10

A decrease in behavioral response after repeated exposure to a nonthreatening stimulus.

Question 11

interval schedule

Answer 11

A schedule in which reinforcement is provided after a specific unit of time.

Question 12

latent learning

Answer 12

Learning that takes place in the absence of reinforcement.

Question 13

law of effect

Answer 13

Thorndike’s general theory of learning: Any behavior that leads to a “satisfying state of affairs” is likely to occur again, and any behavior that leads to an “annoying state of affairs” is less likely to occur again.

Question 14

learning

Answer 14

A relatively enduring change in behavior, resulting from experience.

Question 15

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

Answer 15

The strengthening of a synaptic connection, making the postsynaptic neurons more easily activated.

Question 16

meme

Answer 16

A unit of knowledge transmitted within a culture.

Question 17

mirror neurons

Answer 17

Neurons that are activated when one observes another individual engage in an action and when one performs the action that was observed.

Question 18

modeling

Answer 18

The imitation of behavior through observational learning.

Question 19

negative punishment

Answer 19

The removal of a stimulus to decrease the probability of a behavior’s recurring.

Question 20

negative reinforcement

Answer 20

The removal of a stimulus to increase the probability of a behavior’s being repeated.

Question 21

observational learning

Answer 21

The acquisition or modification of a behavior after exposure to at least one performance of that behavior.

Question 22

operant conditioning (instrumental conditioning)

Answer 22

A learning process in which the consequences of an action determine the likelihood that it will be performed in the future.

Question 23

partial reinforcement

Answer 23

A type of learning in which behavior is reinforced intermittently.

Question 24

partial-reinforcement extinction effect

Answer 24

The greater persistence of behavior under partial reinforcement than under continuous reinforcement.

Question 25

phobia

Answer 25

An acquired fear that is out of proportion to the real threat of an object or of a situation.

Question 26

positive punishment

Answer 26

The administration of a stimulus to decrease the probability of a behavior’s recurring.

Question 27

positive reinforcement

Answer 27

The administration of a stimulus to increase the probability of a behavior’s being repeated.

Question 28

ratio schedule

Answer 28

A schedule in which reinforcement is based on the number of times the behavior occurs.

Question 29

reinforcer

Answer 29

A stimulus that follows a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated.

Question 30

Rescorla-Wagner model

Answer 30

A cognitive model of classical conditioning; it states that the strength of the CS-US association is determined by the extent to which the unconditioned stimulus is unexpected or surprising.

Question 31

sensitization

Answer 31

An increase in behavioral response after exposure to a threatening stimulus.

Question 32

shaping

Answer 32

An operant conditioning technique, consists of reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior. This technique can be used to train animals to perform extraordinary behaviors.

Question 33

spontaneous recovery

Answer 33

A process in which a previously extinguished response reemerges after the presentation of the conditioned stimulus.

Question 34

stimulus discrimination

Answer 34

A differentiation between two similar stimuli when only one of them is consistently associated with the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 35

stimulus generalization

Answer 35

Learning that occurs when stimuli that are similar but not identical to the conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response.

Question 36

unconditioned response (UR)

Answer 36

A response that does not have to be learned, such as a reflex.

Question 37

unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 37

A stimulus that elicits a response, such as a reflex, without any prior learning.

Question 38

variable schedule

Answer 38

A schedule in which reinforcement is provided at different rates or at different times.

Question 39

vicarious learning

Answer 39

Learning the consequences of an action by watching others being rewarded or punished for performing the action.

Question 40

After seeing his Dad use a wrench to fix the family car, 2-year-old Ryan uses his toy wrench on his toy car. This is an example of:

Answer 40

modeling

Question 41

The NDMA receptor is involved in which of the following processes?

Answer 41

long-term potentiation

Question 42

When Dr. Jordan triggers a presynaptic neuron to fire, the __________ receptors open on the postsynaptic neuron. After several trials, the postsynaptic neuron is __________ easily activated.

Answer 42

NMDA; more