Conditioning and Learning

Question 1

Blocking

Answer 1

In classical conditioning, the finding that no conditioning occurs to a stimulus if it is combined with a previously conditioned stimulus during conditioning trials. Suggests that information, surprise value, or prediction error is important in conditioning.

Question 2

Categorize

Answer 2

To sort or arrange different items into classes or categories.

Question 3

Classical conditioning

Answer 3

The procedure in which an initially neutral stimulus (the conditioned stimulus, or CS) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (or US). The result is that the conditioned stimulus begins to elicit a conditioned response (CR). Classical conditioning is nowadays considered important as both a behavioral phenomenon and as a method to study simple associative learning. Same as Pavlovian conditioning.

Question 4

Conditioned compensatory response

Answer 4

In classical conditioning, a conditioned response that opposes, rather than is the same as, the unconditioned response. It functions to reduce the strength of the unconditioned response. Often seen in conditioning when drugs are used as unconditioned stimuli.

Question 5

Conditioned response (CR)

Answer 5

The response that is elicited by the conditioned stimulus after classical conditioning has taken place.

Question 6

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 6

An initially neutral stimulus (like a bell, light, or tone) that elicits a conditioned response after it has been associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 7

Context

Answer 7

• Stimuli that are in the background whenever learning occurs.
• However, “context” can also be provided by internal stimuli, such as the sensory effects of drugs (e.g., being under the influence of alcohol has stimulus properties that provide a context) and mood states (e.g., being happy or sad).

Question 8

Discriminative stimulus

Answer 8

In operant conditioning, a stimulus that signals whether the response will be reinforced. It is said to “set the occasion” for the operant response.

Question 9

Extinction

Answer 9

• Decrease in the strength of a learned behavior that occurs when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus (in classical conditioning) or when the behavior is no longer reinforced (in instrumental conditioning).
• Behaviors that have been reduced in strength through extinction are said to be “extinguished.”

Question 10

Fear conditioning

Answer 10

• A type of classical or Pavlovian conditioning in which the conditioned stimulus (CS) is associated with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US), such as a foot shock.
• The phenomenon is thought to be involved in the development of anxiety disorders in humans.

Question 11

Goal-directed behavior

Answer 11

Instrumental behavior that is influenced by the animal’s knowledge of the association between the behavior and its consequence and the current value of the consequence.

Question 12

Habit

Answer 12

Instrumental behavior that occurs automatically in the presence of a stimulus and is no longer influenced by the animal’s knowledge of the value of the reinforcer.

Question 13

Instrumental conditioning

Answer 13

Process in which animals learn about the relationship between their behaviors and their consequences. Also known as operant conditioning.

Question 14

Law of effect

Answer 14

The idea that instrumental or operant responses are influenced by their effects.

Question 15

Observational learning

Answer 15

Learning by observing the behavior of others.

Question 16

Operant

Answer 16

A behavior that is controlled by its consequences.

Question 17

Prediction error

Answer 17

When the outcome of a conditioning trial is different from that which is predicted by the conditioned stimuli that are present on the trial (i.e., when the US is surprising).

Question 18

Preparedness

Answer 18

The idea that an organism’s evolutionary history can make it easy to learn a particular association.

Question 19

Punisher

Answer 19

A stimulus that decreases the strength of an operant behavior when it is made a consequence of the behavior.

Question 20

Quantitative law of effect

Answer 20

A mathematical rule that states that the effectiveness of a reinforcer at strengthening an operant response depends on the amount of reinforcement earned for all alternative behaviors.

Question 21

Reinforcer

Answer 21

Any consequence of a behavior that strengthens the behavior or increases the likelihood that it will be performed it again.

Question 22

Reinforcer devaluation effect

Answer 22

The finding that an animal will stop performing an instrumental response that once led to a reinforcer if the reinforcer is separately made aversive or undesirable.

Question 23

Renewal effect

Answer 23

Recovery of an extinguished response that occurs when the context is changed after extinction.

Question 24

Social Learning Theory

Answer 24

The theory that people can learn new responses and behaviors by observing the behavior of others.

Question 25

Social models

Answer 25

Authorities that are the targets for observation and who model behaviors.

Question 26

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 26

Recovery of an extinguished response that occurs with the passage of time after extinction. Can occur after extinction in either classical or instrumental conditioning.

Question 27

Stimulus control

Answer 27

When an operant behavior is controlled by a stimulus that precedes it.

Question 28

Taste aversion learning

Answer 28

The phenomenon in which a taste is paired with sickness, and this causes the organism to reject—and dislike—that taste in the future.

Question 29

Unconditioned response (UR)

Answer 29

In classical conditioning, an innate response that is elicited by a stimulus before (or in the absence of) conditioning.

Question 30

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 30

In classical conditioning, the stimulus that elicits the response before conditioning occurs.

Question 31

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 31

Learning that occurs by observing the reinforcement or punishment of another person.