Chapter 7

Question 1

What is learning?

Answer 1

A lasting change as a result of practice, study, or experience; inferred from behavior.

Question 2

Define associative learning.

Answer 2

A change resulting from experience where two or more stimuli become linked.

Question 3

Define non-associative learning.

Answer 3

Learning without forming associations between stimuli; a change due to a single sensory cue.

Question 4

What is habituation?

Answer 4

Weakening of response to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

Question 5

What is dishabituation?

Answer 5

Recovery of attention to a novel stimulus following habituation.

Question 6

What is sensitization?

Answer 6

An exaggerated response to a subsequent weaker stimulus after a strong initial stimulus.

Question 7

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 7

Learning where two stimuli are associated; discovered by Ivan Pavlov.

Question 8

Define unconditioned stimulus (US).

Answer 8

A stimulus that elicits a response on its own, e.g., food.

Question 9

Define unconditioned response (UR).

Answer 9

A response elicited by the US that does not need to be learned, e.g., salivation.

Question 10

Define conditioned stimulus (CS).

Answer 10

A neutral stimulus that elicits the same response as the US after pairing, e.g., bell.

Question 11

Define conditioned response (CR).

Answer 11

A response elicited by the CS, usually similar to the UR, e.g., salivation.

Question 12

What is acquisition in classical conditioning?

Answer 12

Initial learning of the stimulus-response relationship, often strongest with a short delay between CS and US.

Question 13

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

Answer 13

Reduction of a conditioned response after repeated presentations of the CS alone.

Question 14

What is spontaneous recovery?

Answer 14

Re-emergence of a conditioned response some time after extinction.

Question 15

Define stimulus generalization.

Answer 15

When similar stimuli elicit the same response as a conditioned stimulus.

Question 16

Define stimulus discrimination.

Answer 16

Learning to emit a specific behavior in response to one stimulus, but not to similar stimuli.

Question 17

What is higher-order conditioning?

Answer 17

A previously conditioned stimulus functions as if it were an unconditioned stimulus for further conditioning.

Question 18

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 18

Learning where behavior is modified depending on its consequences.

Question 19

Define the law of effect.

Answer 19

Behaviors leading to rewards are likely to occur again, while those leading to unpleasantness are less likely to reoccur.

Question 20

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 20

Presentation of a pleasant consequence to increase the likelihood of behavior reoccurring.

Question 21

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 21

Removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of behavior reoccurring.

Question 22

Define positive punishment.

Answer 22

Presentation of an unpleasant consequence to decrease the likelihood of behavior reoccurring.

Question 23

Define negative punishment.

Answer 23

Removal of a pleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of behavior reoccurring.

Question 24

What is a primary reinforcer?

Answer 24

A stimulus that has survival value and is inherently rewarding, e.g., food, water.

Question 25

What is a secondary reinforcer?

Answer 25

A neutral stimulus that becomes rewarding when associated with a primary reinforcer, e.g., money.

Question 26

What is a primary punisher?

Answer 26

A naturally aversive stimulus, e.g., pain.

Question 27

What is a secondary punisher?

Answer 27

A stimulus that becomes aversive when associated with a primary punisher, e.g., disapproval.

Question 28

Define continuous reinforcement.

Answer 28

Behavior is reinforced every time it occurs; training is quicker but extinction is easier.

Question 29

What is intermittent reinforcement?

Answer 29

Behavior is reinforced only part of the time, making it harder to extinguish.

Question 30

What is a fixed ratio schedule?

Answer 30

Reinforcement after a fixed number of responses; produces high response rate with pauses.

Question 31

What is a variable ratio schedule?

Answer 31

Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses; produces a steady response rate.

Question 32

Define fixed interval schedule.

Answer 32

Reinforcement after a fixed time has passed.

Question 33

Define variable interval schedule.

Answer 33

Reinforcement after varying lengths of time; produces steady response rate.

Question 34

What is observational learning?

Answer 34

Learning by watching the behavior of others without direct training.

Question 35

What is modeling?

Answer 35

Learning by observing and imitating the behavior of others.

Question 36

What is vicarious learning?

Answer 36

Learning by observing the consequences of another’s behavior and deciding whether to replicate it.

Question 37

Define implicit learning.

Answer 37

Learning information without conscious awareness, such as learning to talk or walk.

Question 38

Define latent learning.

Answer 38

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is used later, not as a result of conditioning.

Question 39

What is insight learning?

Answer 39

A sudden realization of a solution to a problem, leading to understanding new concepts.