Chapter 6 Learning Theories

Question 1

reinforcement

Answer 1

any event that increases the likelihood that a response or behaviour will occur again

Question 2

response

Answer 2

any identifiable behaviour, external or internal, that is elicited by a stimulus; reaction behaviour

Question 3

stimulus

Answer 3

any object or event that elicits a response; trigger

Question 4

antecedent

Answer 4

an event that comes before a response

Question 5

consequence

Answer 5

an event that comes after a response; the effect of the response

Question 6

classical conditioning

Answer 6

is a form of learning based on the repeated association of two normally unrelated stimuli.

Question 7

neutral stimulus (NS)

Answer 7

a stimulus that does not natural elicit any specific response

Question 8

unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Answer 8

a specific stimulus that is innately capable of eliciting a reflex response

Question 9

unconditioned response (UCR)

Answer 9

the natural, automatic response to a specific unconditioned stimulus

Question 10

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 10

a stimulus that evokes a specific response due to learning)

Question 11

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 11

a reflex response to a previously neutral stimulus that occurs after learning has taken place

Question 12

acquisition

Answer 12

the learning itself, the gaining (acquiring) of knowledge or a skill

Question 13

acquisition process

Answer 13

the process of learning that conditioned response

Question 14

acquisition phase

Answer 14

the period of time between presentation of a stimulus and receiving reinforcement

Question 15

extinction

Answer 15

the gradual decrease in strength or frequency of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer available

Question 16

spontaneous recovery

Answer 16

the reappearance of a conditioned response to the conditioned stimulus after a period of apparent extinction

Question 17

stimulus generalisation

Answer 17

when stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response

Question 18

stimulus discrimination

Answer 18

the ability to discrimination between stimuli so that only a specific stimulus produces the conditioned response

Question 19

graduated exposure/systematic desensitisation

Answer 19

a type of behavioural therapy used to reduce a phobia, involving exposing a person to their phobia-causing stimulus or situation very slowly, by degrees, under relaxed conditions until the fear response is extinguished

Question 20

phobia

Answer 20

an intense and irrational fear of an object, situation or thing, which persists over time

Question 21

counter-conditioning

Answer 21

a behavioural therapy based on classical conditioning principles, which conditions new, pleasant responses to stimuli that trigger unwanted responses

Question 22

aversion therapy

Answer 22

a type of behaviour therapy that uses classical conditioning principles to change an undesirable behaviour by associating it with an unpleasant stimulus

Question 23

flooding

Answer 23

a form of behavioural therapy whereby an individual with a phobia is exposed to the fear-producing object or situation in a ‘flood-like’ manner, so they are completely immersed in the situation

Question 24

operant conditioning

Answer 24

a learning process in which the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated is determined by the consequence of that behaviour

Question 25

operant reinforcer

Answer 25

any event that follows a response and increases the probability of the response being repeated

Question 26

positive reinforcement

Answer 26

when a pleasant or desirable event follows a response and generally increases or strengthens the likelihood of that response occurring again

Question 27

negative reinforcement

Answer 27

when a response removes, reduces or prevents an unpleasant stimulus and creates a positive consequences it increases or strengthens the likelihood of that response occurring again

Question 28

continuous reinforcement

Answer 28

a schedule of reinforcement where a reinforcer follows every correct response

Question 29

partial reinforcement

Answer 29

a schedule of reinforcement where a reinforcer follows only some (not all) correct responses

Question 30

fixed ratio

Answer 30

a type of partial reinforcement where a set number of correct responses must be made before obtaining reinforcement

Question 31

variable ration

Answer 31

a type of partial reinforcement where a varied number of correct responses must be made before receiving reinforcement

Question 32

fixed interval

Answer 32

a types of partial reinforcement where, after a correct response is made, a reinforcer is given after a fixed amount of time had passed

Question 33

variable interval

Answer 33

a type of partial reinforcement where a reinforcer is only given for the first correct response after a varied amount of time

Question 34

punishment

Answer 34

any event following a response that decreases the likelihood of the response occurring again because it introduces an unpleasant stimulus

Question 35

punisher

Answer 35

any unpleasant stimulus that reduces the likelihood of an unwanted behaviour occurring again

Question 36

response cost

Answer 36

when a reinforcer or positive state of affairs is removed following a response, and this decreases the likelihood that this response will occur again

Question 37

operant extinction

Answer 37

when the learnt response gradually decreases in strength or rate of response after reinforcement stops

Question 38

operant spontaneous recovery

Answer 38

the reappearance of a previously reinforced response after period go apparent extinction

Question 39

operant stimulus discrimination

Answer 39

the ability to differentiate between stimuli similar to the stimuli that signal reinforcement and non-reinforcement

Question 40

operant stimulus generalisation

Answer 40

the tendency to respond to stimuli similar to stimuli that precede operant reinforcement

Question 41

shaping

Answer 41

an operant training technique that involves reinforcing successive responses that closely resemble or progress towards the desired response

Question 42

token economy

Answer 42

where desirable behaviour is rewarded with a symbolic reinforcer (a token) that can be exchanged at a later date for a tangible reinforcer

Question 43

primary reinforcer

Answer 43

a natural, non-learnt reinforcer that produces comfort, ends discomfort, or fills an immediate physical need

Question 44

secondary reinforcer

Answer 44

a reinforcer that has no value of its own but can be exchanged for a primary reinforcer that does have value

Question 45

token reinforcer

Answer 45

a tangible secondary reinforcer

Question 46

law of effect

Answer 46

the probability of a response being repeated is altered by the effect of that response

Question 47

trail-and-error learning

Answer 47

when an organism continues to explore their environment until they discover a response that will allow them to reach their desired goal

Question 48

observational learning

Answer 48

when learning occurs by watching (observing) other and noting the consequences of their actions, then imitating or not imitating their behaviour

Question 49

model

Answer 49

someone who serves as an example in observational learning