Learning

Question 1

Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

Whereby an animal or other organism can passively learn to show a naturally occurring reflex action, such as salivation, in response to any stimulus learning through association; also known as Pavlovian conditioning.

Question 2

Association

Answer 2

A learnt connection between two (or more) objects or events- especially significant in classical conditioning.

Question 3

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

Answer 3

A stimulus that causes an unconditioned response (classical conditioning).

Question 4

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

Answer 4

A response that occurs naturally in response to the unconditioned stimulus (classical conditioning).

Question 5

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Answer 5

Something that causes no response (classical conditioning).

Question 6

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Answer 6

A previously neutral stimulus that is associated with the unconditioned stimulus and eventually causes a conditioned response (classical conditioning).

Question 7

Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 7

An automatic response development by being trained to respond to a typically neutral stimulus (classical conditioning).

Question 8

Extinction

Answer 8

The response is extinguished after being shown several times without reinforcement.

Question 9

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 9

The reappearance of an extinguished response after a rest period.

Question 10

Stimulus Generalisation

Answer 10

In classical conditioning, when an organism responds to any stimulus that is similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Question 11

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 11

In classical conditioning, when an organism responds to the conditioned stimulus but not to ay stimulus that is similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Question 12

Aversion Therapy

Answer 12

A form of treatment using classical conditioning to cause an undesired behaviour to create an unwanted response, thereby reducing the incident of the behaviour.

Question 13

Operant Conditioning

Answer 13

A type of learning in which behaviour becomes controlled by its consequences.

Question 14

Voluntary Behaviour

Answer 14

Actions that are controlled by the person or animal performing them.

Question 15

Three-Phase-Model (ABC of Operant Conditioning)

Answer 15

The assumption that the antecedent makes the conditions right for the behavior to follow and be encouraged or discouraged by its consequences.

Question 16

Discriminative Stimulus

Answer 16

In operant conditioning, Skinner’s term for the pre-condition that indicates that behaviour will be reinforced.

Question 17

Reinforcer

Answer 17

A stimulus that encourages the likelihood of a response.

Question 18

Positive Reinforcer

Answer 18

A consequence that strengthens a response by providing a pleasant or satisfying outcome, increasing the likelihood that a behaviour will be repeated.

Question 19

Negative Reinforcer

Answer 19

The removal, reduction, or prevention of an unpleasant stimulus in response to a behaviour, increasing the likelihood that a behaviour will be repeated.

Question 20

Punisher/Punishment

Answer 20

Any event that reduces the likelihood of a particular response occurring over time.

Question 21

Response Cost

Answer 21

A form of punishment that occurs when something desirable is removed (e.g. removing a mobile phone if misused).

Question 22

Effective Punishment

Answer 22

Punishment administered in such a way as to reduce the likelihood of the behaviour recurring.

Question 23

Shaping

Answer 23

A procedure in which a reinforcer is given for each response that is closer and closer and eventually leads to the desired response; also called the ‘method of successive approximations’.

Question 24

Stimulus Generalisation

Answer 24

In operant conditioning, when a behaviour is displayed because of a discriminative stimulus that is similar to the original.

Question 25

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 25

In operant conditioning, when a behaviour stops being applied to similar situations and only to the discriminative stimulus.

Question 26

Observational Learning

Answer 26

Where a person learns by watching the behaviour demonstrated by another.

Question 27

Bobo Doll

Answer 27

A large inflatable plastic doll approximately 1.5 meters tall, designed to spring back upright when knocked over, used by Albert Bandura in his research on social learning.

Question 28

Social Learning Theory

Answer 28

Describes the way in which people acquire certain behaviours by watching and learning from role models; the initial focus of observational learning.

Question 29

Modelling

Answer 29

When a person copies the behaviour or attitude demonstrated by another person.

Question 30

Mental Representation

Answer 30

A cognitive process where information is stored in memory for later retrieval and use.

Question 31

Vicarious Reinforcement

Answer 31

A theory that individuals are more likely to engage in a behaviour or activity if they witness another individual being rewarded for the activity or behaviour.

Question 32

Positive Vicarious Reinforcement

Answer 32

Where an individual witnesses another being rewarded for a behaviour and decided to act in the same way.

Question 33

Negative Vicarious Reinforcement

Answer 33

Where an individual witnesses another being punished for a behaviour so discontinues that behaviour themselves.