Final

Question 1

Learning

Learning

Answer 1

A systematic, relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience.

Question 2

Learning

Behaviorism

Answer 2

A theory of learning that focuses on observable behaviors.

Question 3

Learning

Associative learning

Answer 3

Learning that occurs when we make a connection, or an association, between two events.

Question 4

Learning

Conditioning

Answer 4

The process of learning associations.

Question 5

Learning

Classical conditioning

Answer 5

Learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an innately meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response.

Question 6

Learning

Observational learning

Answer 6

Learning that occurs through observing and imitating another’s behavior.

Question 7

Learning

UCS / US

Answer 7

Unconditioned stimulus; a stimulus that produces a response without prior learning.

Question 8

Learning

UCR / UR

Answer 8

Unconditioned response; An unlearned reaction that is automatically elicited by the UCS.

Question 9

Learning

NS

Answer 9

Neutral stimulus; A stimulus that does not (initially) trigger a response.

Question 10

Learning

CS

Answer 10

Conditioned stimulus; A previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits a conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 11

Learning

CR

Answer 11

Conditioned response; The learned response to the conditioned stimulus that occurs after CS-UCS pairing.

Question 12

Learning

Acquisition

Answer 12

The initial learning of the connection between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus when these two stimuli are paired.

Question 13

Learning

Contiguity

Answer 13

The CS and UCS are presented very close together in time.

Question 14

Learning

Contingency

Answer 14

The CS must not only precede the UCS closely in time, it must also serve as a reliable indicator that the UCS is on its way.

Question 15

Learning

Generalization (classical)

Answer 15

The tendency of a new stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response similar to the conditioned response.

Question 16

Learning

Discrimination (classical)

Answer 16

The process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not others.

Question 17

Learning

Extinction (classical)

Answer 17

The weakening of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is absent.

Question 18

Learning

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 18

The process by which a conditioned response can recur after a time delay, without further conditioning.

Question 19

Learning

Counterconditioning

Answer 19

A classical conditioning procedure for changing the relationship between a conditioned stimulus and its conditioned response.

Question 20

Learning

Aversive conditioning

Answer 20

A form of treatment that consists of repeated pairings of a stimulus with a very unpleasant stimulus.

Question 21

Learning

Taste aversion

Answer 21

A special kind of classical conditioning involving the learned association between a particular taste and nausea.

Question 22

Learning

Habituation

Answer 22

Decreased responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

Question 23

Learning

Operant Conditioning

Answer 23

A form of associative learning in which the consequences of a behavior change the probability of the behavior’s occurrence.

Question 24

Learning

Law of effect

Answer 24

Thorndike’s law that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened and that behaviors followed by negative outcomes are weakened.

Question 25

Learning

Shaping

Answer 25

Rewarding successive approximations of a desired behavior.

Question 26

Learning

Reinforcement

Answer 26

The process by which a stimulus or event (a reinforcer) following a particular behavior increases the probability that the behavior will happen again.

Question 27

Learning

Positive reinforcement

Answer 27

When the frequency of a behavior increases because it is followed by the presentation of something that increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Question 28

Learning

Negative reinforcement

Answer 28

When the frequency of a behavior increases because it is followed by the removal of something.

Question 29

Learning

Avoidance learning

Answer 29

When the organism learns that by making a particular response, a negative stimulus can be altogether avoided.

Question 30

Learning

Learned helplessness

Answer 30

When the organism, exposed to uncontrollable aversive stimuli, learns that it has no control over negative outcomes.

Question 31

Learning

Secondary reinforcer

Answer 31

A reinforcer that acquires its positive value through an organism’s experience.

Question 32

Learning

Primary reinforcer

Answer 32

A reinforcer that is innately satisfying; one that does not take any learning on the organism’s part to make it pleasurable.

Question 33

Learning

Generalization (operant)

Answer 33

Performing a reinforced behavior in a different situation.

Question 34

Learning

Discrimination (operant)

Answer 34

Responding appropriately to stimuli that signal that a behavior will or will not be reinforced.

Question 35

Learning

Extinction (operant)

Answer 35

When a behavior is no longer reinforced and decreases in frequency.

Question 36

Learning

Partial reinforcement

Answer 36

When a reinforcer follows a behavior only a portion of the time.

Question 37

Learning

Schedules of reinforcement

Answer 37

Specific patterns that determine when a behavior will be reinforced.

Question 38

Learning

Ratio schedules

Answer 38

Based on the number of behaviors that must be performed prior to the reward.

Question 39

Learning

Interval schedules

Answer 39

Based on the amount of time that must pass before a behavior is rewarded.

Question 40

Learning

Fixed schedule

Answer 40

When the number of behaviors or the amount of time is always the same.

Question 41

Learning

Variable schedule

Answer 41

When the required number of behaviors or amount of time changes and is unpredictable from the perspective of the learner.

Question 42

Learning

Punishment

Answer 42

A consequence that decreases the likelihood that a behavior will occur.

Question 43

Learning

Positive punishment

Answer 43

The presentation of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.

Question 44

Learning

Negative punishment

Answer 44

The removal of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.

Question 45

Learning

Applied behavior analysis

Answer 45

Also called behavior modification; The use of operant conditioning principles to change human behavior.

Question 46

Learning

Attention, retention, motor reproduction, and reinforcement

Answer 46

The four main processes in observational learning.

Question 47

Learning

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 47

Seeing a model attain a reward for an activity increases the chances that an observer will repeat that behavior.

Question 48

Learning

Vicarious punishment

Answer 48

Seeing a model punished for an activity decreases the chances that an observer will repeat that behavior.

Question 49

Learning

Latent learning

Answer 49

Unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behavior.

Question 50

Learning

Insight learning

Answer 50

A form of problem solving in which the organism develops a sudden insight into or understanding a problem’s solution.

Question 51

Learning

Instinctive drift

Answer 51

The tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behavior that interferes with learning.

Question 52

Learning

Preparedness

Answer 52

The species-specific biological predisposition to learn in certain ways but not others.