Chapter 8- Learning

Question 0

Associative Learning

Answer 0

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 1

Learning

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Classical Conditioning

Answer 2

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 3

Behaviorism

Answer 3

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 (2).

Question 4

Unconditioned Response

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Unconditioned Stimulus

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Conditioned Response

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Conditioned Response

Answer 7

in classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response

Question 8

Acquisition

Answer 8

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 9

Extinction

Answer 9

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 10

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Generalization

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Discrimination

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Operant Conditioning

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Respondent Behavior

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Operant Behavior

Answer 15

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Question 16

Law of Effect

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Operant Chamber

Answer 17

a chamber also known as a Skinner box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research.

Question 18

Shaping

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Reinforcer

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Positive Reinforcment

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 21

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.)

Question 22

Primary Reinforcement

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Conditioned Reinforcment

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Continuous Reinforcment

Answer 24

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Question 25

Partial Reinforcment

Answer 25

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 26

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Variable-Interval Schedule

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Punishment

Answer 30

an event that decreases the behavior it follows.

Question 31

Cognitive Map

Answer 31

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 32

Latent Learning

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Intrinsic Motivation

Answer 33

a desire to perform a behavior for its own sake

Question 34

Extrinsic Motivation

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Observational Learning

Answer 35

learning by observing others

Question 36

Modeling

Answer 36

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Question 37

Mirror Neurons

Answer 37

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 38

Prosocial Behavior

Answer 38

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