Chapter 8: Learning

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

a relatively permanent change in an organism’s behavior due to experience. -

Question 2

Associative Learning

Answer 2

learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequences (as in operant conditioning). -

Question 3

Classical Conditioning

Answer 3

a type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neutral stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (US) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus. Also called Pavlovian or respondent conditioning. -

Question 4

Behaviorism

Answer 4

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2). -

Question 5

Unconditioned Response

Answer 5

in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth. -

Question 6

Unconditioned Stimulus

Answer 6

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers a response. -

Question 7

Conditioned Response

Answer 7

in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS). -

Question 8

Conditioned Stimulus

Answer 8

in classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response. -

Question 9

Acquisition

Answer 9

The initial stage in classical conditioning; the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response. -

Question 10

Extinction

Answer 10

the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced. -

Question 11

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 11

the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response. -

Question 12

Generalization

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Discrimination

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Operant Conditioning

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Respondent Behavior

Answer 15

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus; Skinner’s term for behavior learned through classical conditioning. -

Question 16

Operant Behavior

Answer 16

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences. -

Question 17

Law of Effect

Answer 17

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely. -

Question 18

Operant Chamber

Answer 18

(Skinner Box) enclosed apparatus that contains a bar or key that an animal subject can manipulate in order to obtain reinforcement. -

Question 19

Reinforcer

Answer 19

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows. -

Question 20

Primary Reinforcer

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Conditioned Reinforcer

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Continuous Reinforcement

Answer 22

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs. -

Question 23

Partial Reinforcement

Answer 23

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 24

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Answer 25

in operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforment that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses. -

Question 26

Fixed Interval Schedule

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Variable Interval Schedule

Answer 27

in operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response at unpredicatble time intervals. -

Question 28

Punishment

Answer 28

an event that decreases the behavior that it follows. -

Question 29

Cognitive Map

Answer 29

a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. For example, after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it. -

Question 30

Latent Learning

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Over Justification Effect

Answer 31

The effect of promising a reward for doing what one already likes to do. -

Question 32

Intrinsic Motivation

Answer 32

A desire to perform a behavior for its own sake. -

Question 33

Extrinsic Motivation

Answer 33

A desire to perform a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment. -

Question 34

Observational Learning

Answer 34

learning by observing others. -

Question 35

Modeling

Answer 35

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior. -

Question 36

Mirror Neurons

Answer 36

frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain’s mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation, language learning, and empathy. -

Question 37

Prosocial Behavior

Answer 37

positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior. -

Question 38

Skinner Box

Answer 38

Named for its developer, B.F. Skinner, a box that contains a responding mechanism and a device capable of delivering a consequence to an animal in the box whenever it makes the desired response. -

Question 39

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 39

increasing the strength of a given response by removing or preventing a painful stimulus when the response occurs. -

Question 40

Shaping

Answer 40

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior. -

Question 41

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 41

increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response. -