Chapter 6: Learning

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

A relatively enduring change in behavior, which results from experience. Learning allows an animal to better adapt to their environment.

Question 2

Conditioning

Answer 2

A process in which environmental stimuli and behavioral responses become connected

Question 3

Classical Conditioning

Answer 3

Occurs when you learn that two types of events go together, e.g. certain music and a scary scene in a movie

Question 4

Operant or Instrumental Conditioning

Answer 4

Occurs when you learn that a behavior leads to a particular outcome, e.g. studying leads to better grades

Question 5

Conditioning Trial

Answer 5

Neutral stimulus is presented with the thing to be associated with it

Question 6

Critical Trial

Answer 6

Neutral stimulus presented without the thing that was associated with it, and reaction (like salivating) is measured

Question 7

Pavlovian Conditioning

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Unconditioned Response

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Unconditioned Stimulus

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Conditioned Stimulus

Answer 10

A stimulus that elicits a response only after learning has taken place

Question 11

Conditioned Response

Answer 11

A response to a conditioned stimulus; a response that has to be learned

Question 12

Acquisition

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Contiguity

Answer 13

The critical element in the acquisition of a learned association is that the stimuli occur together in time

Question 14

Extinction

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Stimulus Generalization

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Second-Order Conditioning

Answer 18

A conditioned stimulus becomes associated with other stimuli associated with the unconditioned stimulus, rather than the conditioned stimulus itself

Question 19

Phobia

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Fear Conditioning

Answer 20

The classical training of animals to fear neutral objets

Question 21

Counterconditioning

Answer 21

Classical conditioning technique used to treat phobias

Question 22

Biological Preparedness

Answer 22

Argument by Martin Seligman that animals are genetically programmed to fear specific objects

Question 23

Cognitive Perspective on learning

Answer 23

Psychologists’ increasing consideration of mental processes such as prediction and expectancy on learning

Question 24

Rescorla-Wagner model

Answer 24

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 25

Blocking effect

Answer 25

Once a conditioned stimulus is learned, it can prevent the acquisition of a new conditioned stimulus

Question 26

Occasion Setter

Answer 26

A stimulus associated with a conditioned stimulus that acts as a trigger for the conditioned stimulus

Question 27

Law of Effect

Answer 27

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 28

Reinforcer

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Shaping

Answer 29

Reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior

Question 30

Primary Reinforcers

Answer 30

ones that satisfy biological needs

Question 31

Secondary Reinforcers

Answer 31

Events or objects that serve as reinforcers but do not satisfy biological needs. They are established through classical conditioning

Question 32

Premack Principle

Answer 32

A more valued activity can be used to reinforce the performance of a less valued activity

Question 33

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 34

The removal of a stimulus (probably an unpleasant one) to increase the probability of a behavior's being repeated. Not the same as punishment.

Question 35

Positive Punishment

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Negative Punishment

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Continuous Reinforement

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Partial Reinforcement

Answer 38

A type of learning in which behavior is reinforced intermittently

Question 39

Ratio Schedule

Answer 39

A schedule in which reinforcement is based on the number of times the behavior occurs (form of partial reinforcement)

Question 40

Interval Schedule

Answer 40

A schedule in which reinforcement is provided after a specific unit of time (form of partial reinforcement)

Question 41

Fixed Schedule

Answer 41

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

Question 42

Variable Schedule

Answer 42

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

Question 43

Partial-Reinforcement Extinction Effect

Answer 43

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

Question 44

Behavior Modification

Answer 44

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

Question 45

Cognitive map

Answer 45

A visual/spacial representation of an environment

Question 46

Latent Learning

Answer 46

Learning that takes place in the absence of reinforcement

Question 47

Meme

Answer 47

A unit of knowledge transmitted within a culture

Question 48

Observational Learning

Answer 48

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

Question 49

Vicarious Learning

Answer 49

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

Question 50

Mirror Neurons

Answer 50

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

Question 51

Habituation

Answer 51

A decrease in behavioral response after repeated exposure to nonthreatening stimulus

Question 52

Sensitization

Answer 52

An increase in behavioral response after exposure to a threatening stimulus

Question 53

Long-Term Potentiation

Answer 53

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