Chapter5

Question 1

acquisition

Answer 1

The gradual formation of an association between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli.

Question 2

behavior modification

Answer 2

The use of operant-conditioning techniques to eliminate unwanted behaviors and replace them with desirable ones.

Question 3

classical conditioning, or Pavlovian conditioning

Answer 3

A type of learned response that occurs when a neutral object comes to elicit a reflexive response when it is associated with a stimulus that already produces that response.

Question 4

cognitive map

Answer 4

A visual/spatial mental representation of an environment.

Question 5

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 5

A response that has been learned.

Question 6

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 6

A stimulus that elicits a response only after learning has taken place.

Question 7

continuous reinforcement

Answer 7

A type of learning in which the desired behavior is reinforced each time it occurs.

Question 8

extinction

Answer 8

A process in which the conditioned response is weakened when the conditioned stimulus is repeated without the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 9

fixed schedule

Answer 9

A schedule in which reinforcement is consistently provided upon each occurrence.

Question 10

habituation

Answer 10

A decrease in behavioral response following repeated exposure to nonthreatening stimuli.

Question 11

interval schedule

Answer 11

A schedule in which reinforcement is available after a specific unit of time.

Question 12

latent learning

Answer 12

Learning that takes place in the absence of reinforcement.

Question 13

law of effect

Answer 13

Thorndike’s general theory of learning: Any behavior that leads to a “satisfying state of affairs” will more likely occur again, and any behavior that leads to an “annoying state of affairs” will less likely recur.

Question 14

learning

Answer 14

An enduring change in behavior, resulting from experience.

Question 15

long-term potentiation (LTP)

Answer 15

The strengthening of a synaptic connection so that postsynaptic neurons are more easily activated.

Question 16

meme

Answer 16

A unit of knowledge transferred within a culture.

Question 17

mirror neurons

Answer 17

Neurons that are activated during observation of others performing an action.

Question 18

modeling

Answer 18

The imitation of behavior through observational learning.

Question 19

negative punishment

Answer 19

Punishment that occurs with the removal of a stimulus and thus decreases the probability of a behavior’s recurring.

Question 20

negative reinforcement

Answer 20

The increase in the probability of a behavior’s being repeated through the removal of a stimulus.

Question 21

observational learning

Answer 21

Learning that occurs when behaviors are acquired or modified following exposure to others performing the behavior.

Question 22

operant conditioning, or instrumental conditioning

Answer 22

A learning process in which the consequences of an action determine the likelihood that it will be performed in the future.

Question 23

partial reinforcement

Answer 23

A type of learning in which behavior is reinforced intermittently.

Question 24

partial-reinforcement extinction effect

Answer 24

The greater persistence of behavior under partial reinforcement than under continuous reinforcement.

Question 25

phobia

Answer 25

An acquired fear that is out of proportion to the real threat of an object or of a situation.

Question 26

positive punishment

Answer 26

Punishment that occurs with the administration of a stimulus and thus decreases the probability of a behavior’s recurring.

Question 27

positive reinforcement

Answer 27

The increase in the probability of a behavior’s being repeated following the administration of a stimulus.

Question 28

ratio schedule

Answer 28

A schedule in which reinforcement is based on the number of times the behavior occurs.

Question 29

reinforcer

Answer 29

A stimulus that follows a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated.

Question 30

Rescorla-Wagner model

Answer 30

A cognitive model of classical conditioning; it states that the strength of the CS-US association is determined by the extent to which the unconditioned stimulus is unexpected.

Question 31

sensitization

Answer 31

An increase in behavioral response following exposure to a threatening stimulus.

Question 32

shaping

Answer 32

A process of operant conditioning; it involves reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior.

Question 33

spontaneous recovery

Answer 33

A process in which a previously extinguished response reemerges following presentation of the conditioned stimulus.

Question 34

stimulus discrimination

Answer 34

A differentiation between two similar stimuli when only one of them is consistently associated with the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 35

stimulus generalization

Answer 35

Occurs when stimuli that are similar but not identical to the conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response.

Question 36

unconditioned response (UR)

Answer 36

A response that does not have to be learned, such as a reflex

Question 37

unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 37

A stimulus that elicits a response, such as a reflex, without any prior learning.

Question 38

variable schedule

Answer 38

A schedule in which reinforcement is applied at different rates or at different times.

Question 39

vicarious learning

Answer 39

Learning that occurs when people learn the consequences of an action by observing others being rewarded or punished for performing the action.