Chapter 7 - Learning

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

The process of acquiring through experiences new and relatively enduring info or behavior

Question 2

Associated learning

Answer 2

Learning that certain events occur together.

Question 3

Stimulus

Answer 3

Any event or situation that evokes a response.

Question 4

Cognitive learning

Answer 4

The acquisition of mental info, whether by observing, watching, or through language.

Question 5

Classical conditioning

Answer 5

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.

Question 6

Behaviorism

Answer 6

The view that psychology should be a. Objective science that studies behavior w/o reference to mental processes.

Question 7

Neutral stimulus ( NS)

Answer 7

In classical conditioning, an u learned, naturally occurring response ( salivating) to unconditioned stimulus ( US) ( food).

Question 8

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 8

A stimulus that unconditional-naturally and automatically triggers a response (UR).

Question 9

Conditioned response (CR)

Answer 9

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus ( but now conditioned) (CS)

Question 10

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Answer 10

An originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association w an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response( CR).

Question 11

Acquisition

Answer 11

In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response.

Question 12

Extinction

Answer 12

The diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response in no longer reinforced.

Question 13

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 13

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished response.

Question 14

Generalization

Answer 14

The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.

Question 15

Discrimination

Answer 15

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 16

Operant conditioning

Answer 16

A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher.

Question 17

Law of effect

Answer 17

Thorndikes principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behavior followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Question 18

Operant chamber

Answer 18

In operant conditioning research, a chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcement; attached devices record the animals rate of bar pressing or key pecking.

Question 19

Reinforcement

Answer 19

In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior or follows.

Question 20

Shaping

Answer 20

An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforces guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desire behavior.

Question 21

Positive reinforcement

Answer 21

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

Question 22

Negative reinforcement

Answer 22

Increasing behavior by stopping or reducing negative stimulus. Any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response( it is not a punishment)

Question 23

Conditioned reinforcer

Answer 23

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer.

Question 24

Primary reinforcer

Answer 24

An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.

Question 25

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 25

Reinforcing the desire response every time it occurs.

Question 26

Reinforcement schedule

Answer 26

A pattern that defines how often a desire response will be reinforced.

Question 27

Partial ( intermittent) reinforcement

Answer 27

Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.

Question 28

Fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 28

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.

Question 29

Variable-ratio schedule

Answer 29

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.

Question 30

Fixed-interval schedule

Answer 30

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapse.

Question 31

Variable-interval schedule

Answer 31

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Question 32

Punishment

Answer 32

An event that tends to decrease the behavior it follows.

Question 33

Respondent behavior

Answer 33

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus.

Question 34

Operant behavior

Answer 34

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences.

Question 35

Cognitive map

Answer 35

A mental representation of the layout of ones environment. Ex: after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it.

Question 36

Latent learning

Answer 36

Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.

Question 37

Extrinsic motivation

Answer 37

A desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment.

Question 38

Intrinsic motivation

Answer 38

A desire to perform a behavior effectively for it own sake.

Question 39

Observational learning

Answer 39

Learning by observing others.

Question 40

Modeling

Answer 40

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Question 41

Mirror neurons

Answer 41

Frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brains mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy.

Question 42

Prosocial behavior

Answer 42

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior.