Chapter 6 - Learning

Question 1

classical conditioning

Answer 1

occurs when a previously neutral stimulus (NS) is paired (associated) with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to elicit a desired response (conditioned response - CR)

Question 2

UCS

Answer 2

unconditioned stimulus

-stimulus that causes a response without previous conditioning

Question 3

UCR

Answer 3

unconditioned response

-unlearned reaction to an UCS, occurring without previous conditioning (training)

Question 4

NS

Answer 4

neutral stimulus

-stimulus (before conditioning), does not naturally bring the response of interest

Question 5

CS

Answer 5

conditioned stimulus

• previously neutral stimulus
• through repeated pairings with an UCS, now causes a CR

Question 6

CR

Answer 6

conditioned response

• learned reaction to CS
• occurs because of previous repeated pairings with an UCS

Question 7

stimulus generalization

Answer 7

stimuli similar to the original CS causing a CR

Question 8

stimulus discrimination

Answer 8

only the CS elicits the CR

Question 9

extinction

Answer 9

gradual disappearance fo a CR

occurs when UCS is withheld whenever the CS is presented

Question 10

spontaneous recovery

Answer 10

sudden, temporary reappearance of a previously extinguished CR

Question 11

operant conditioning

Answer 11

learning through voluntary behavior and its subsequent consequences
reinforcement increases behavioral tendencies
punishment decreases them

Question 12

reinforcement

Answer 12

strengthens a response and makes it more likely to recur

Question 13

punishment

Answer 13

weakens a response and makes it less likely to recur

Question 14

positive reinforcement

Answer 14

adding (or presenting) a stimulus

strengthens a response and makes more likely to recur

Question 15

negative reinforcement

Answer 15

taking away (or removing) a stimulus
strengthening a response and makes more likely to recur

Question 16

Premack principle

Answer 16

using a naturally occurring high-frequency response to reinforce and increase low-frequency responses
-recognizing what you like (going to the movies) and tie to a less desirable behavior (studying)
you can go to the movies, after studying

Question 17

continuous reinforcement

Answer 17

every correct response is reinforced

Question 18

partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Answer 18

some, but not all, correct responses are reinforced

Question 19

shaping

Answer 19

reinforcement delivered for successive approximations of the desired response

Question 20

positive punishment

Answer 20

adding (or presenting) a stimulus, thereby weakening a response and making it less likely to recur

Question 21

negative punishment

Answer 21

taking away (or removing) a stimulus, thereby weakening a response and making it less like to recur

Question 22

observational learning

Answer 22

learning new behaviors or information by watching and imitating others
-known as social learning or modeling

Question 23

latent learning

Answer 23

hidden learning that exists without behavioral signs

Question 24

cognitive map

Answer 24

mental image of a 3-D space that an organism is navigated

Question 25

mirror neurons

Answer 25

brain cells that fire both when performing specific actions and when observing specific actions or emotions of another
“mirroring” may explain empathy, imitation, language, and the emotional deficits of some mental disorders

Question 26

biological preparedness

Answer 26

built-in (innate) readiness to form associations between certain stimuli and responses

Question 27

instinctive drift

Answer 27

conditioned responses shift back toward innate response patterns

Question 28

learning vs. conditioning (6.1)

Answer 28

relatively permanent change in behavior and mental processes due to experience; applies to useful/admirable behaviors (new route to campus or serving as guide dog), and to less adaptive behaviors (superstitious acts); what is learned can be unlearned - through retraining, counseling, and perseverance
vs.
learned responses/behaviors from a stimulus

Question 29

six principles of classical conditioning (6.3)

Answer 29

acquisition - NS and UCS are paired; NS becomes a CS, obtain a CR
stimulus generalization - CR is obtained not just by CS, but also by Stimuli similar to the CS
stimulus discrimination - certain stimuli similar to the CS do not create the CS
extinction - CS is presented alone, without the UCS. Eventually the CS no longer creates the CR
spontaneous recovery - sudden reappearance of a previously extinguished CR
higher-order conditioning - NS becomes a CS through repeated pairings with a perviously CS

Question 30

operant conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment (6.4)

Answer 30

based on what happens AFTER we VOLUNTARILY perform a behavior (learning from consequences)
consequences are the heart of OPERANT CONDITIONING
the subject performs a voluntary behavior (operant) that produces either REINFORCEMENT or PUNISHMENT, which influence whether the response will occur again in future; reinforcement strengthens the response and makes it more likely to occur; punishment weeks the response and makes it less likely to recur

Question 31

identify the four schedules of partial reinforcement (6.8)

Answer 31

fixed ratio (FR) - reinforcement occurs after a predetermined set of responses; ratio (number or amount) is fixed
variable ratio (VR) - occurs unpredictably; ratio varies
fixed interval (FI) - occurs after a predetermined time has elapsed; interval is fixed
variable interval (VI) - occurs unpredictably; interval varies

Question 32

shaping and why it’s important (6.9)

Answer 32

each of the four schedules of partial reinforcement is important for maintaining behavior
shaping does not occur naturally; teaches desired response by reinforcing a series of successively improving steps leading to the final goal response
ex: want to shape a child to make bed, could begin by reinforcing when he first gets the sheets and pillows in the right general area on the bed - even if sloppy; over time, stop reinforcing the beginning level of behavior, would only reinforce when he got the sheets, bedspread, and pillows all in the right place, most of the wrinkles removed
-each step moves slightly beyond the previously learned behavior

Question 33

positive (PP) and negative punishment (NP) weaken behavior (6.10)

Answer 33

think in mathematical terms
ex: PP - parent adds new chores each time the child is late getting home
NP - parents take away the car keys from a teen who doesn’t come home on time

Question 34

observational learning and 4 factors needed for learning by observation (6.15)

Answer 34

4 key factors:
attention - teachers insist on having students watch their demonstrations
retention - to learn new behaviors, we need to carefully note and remember the model’s directions and demonstrations
reproduction - cannot occur if we lack the motivation or motor skills necessary to imitate the model
reinforcement - more likely to repeat a modeled behavior if the model is reinforced for the behavior

Question 35

learning affect the brain (6.16)

Answer 35

learning, consciously or unconsciously, that experience changes our brains