learning terms

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

can be explained by cognitive, behavioral, sociocultural, psychodynamic, and humanist and approaches

Question 2

conditioning

Answer 2

process of learning these associations/connections between events

Question 3

Observational learning

Answer 3

learning that takes place when a person observes and imitates another’s behavior

Question 4

classical conditioning

Answer 4

organisms learn the association between two stimuli

Question 5

unconditioned stimulus

Answer 5

-US-classical conditioning, a stimulus that is unlearned that triggers a
response

Question 6

unconditioned response

Answer 6

-UR-classical conditioning, unlearned, naturally occurring response to
an unconditioned stimulus

Question 7

acquisition

Answer 7

classical conditioning, initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus with an
unconditioned stimulus so it begins to trigger a conditioned response (needs contiguity and
contingency)

Question 8

conditioned stimulus

Answer 8

-CS-classical conditioning, a previously neutral stimulus that, after
association, triggers a conditioned response

Question 9

conditioned response

Answer 9

-CR-classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral
stimulus

Question 10

generalization

Answer 10

tendency, once conditioned, for similar stimulus to elicit similar response

Question 11

discrimination

Answer 11

classical conditioning, learned ability to distinguish between CS and other stimuli

Question 12

extinction

Answer 12

-diminishing of a conditioned response
-classical: when US not followed by a CS
-operant: when response is no longer reinforced

Question 13

spontaneous recovery

Answer 13

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

Question 14

aversive conditioning

Answer 14

use of something unpleasant, a punishment, to stop unwanted behavior

Question 15

counter conditioning

Answer 15

classical conditioning, attempt to replace bad or unpleasant response to a
stimulus with a more pleasant response

Question 16

operant conditioning

Answer 16

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

Question 17

reinforcer

Answer 17

operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior that follows

Question 18

positive reinforcement

Answer 18

the introduction of a desirable or pleasant stimulus after a behavior

Question 19

negative reinforcement

Answer 19

when something unpleasant or uncomfortable is removed or taken away in order to increase the likelihood of the desired behavior

Question 20

punishment

Answer 20

an event that decreases the behavior that follows

Question 21

positive punishment

Answer 21

an attempt to influence behavior by adding something unpleasant

Question 21

negative punishment

Answer 21

the punishment that results because some stimulus or circumstance is removed as a consequence of a response

Question 22

law of effect

Answer 22

Thorndike’s principle that behavior followed by favorable consequences becomes
more likely and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences becomes less likely

Question 23

shaping

Answer 23

operant conditioning, a procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and
closer approximations to the desired behavior

Question 24

chaining

Answer 24

an instructional strategy grounded in applied behavior analysis (ABA) theory

Question 25

avoidance learning

Answer 25

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

Question 26

learned helplessness

Answer 26

occurs when an individual continuously faces a negative, uncontrollable situation and stops trying to change their circumstances

Question 27

Primary reinforcer

Answer 27

biological stimulus causing involuntary reflex while secondary reinforcer is conditioned stimulus causing learned behavior

Question 28

secondary reinforcer

Answer 28

a stimulus that becomes reinforcing after being paired with a primary reinforcer, such as praise, treats, or money.

Question 29

generalized reinforcer

Answer 29

a stimulus which has acquired reinforcing properties through repeated pairings with other reinforcers under various situations

Question 30

token economy

Answer 30

-reward system used in behavior modification programs -use tangible awards for
positive behavior

Question 31

continuous reinforcement

Answer 31

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Question 32

partial reinforcement

Answer 32

reinforcing a response only part of the time
-takes more time than continuous but is more effective

Question 33

fixed ratio

Answer 33

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

Question 34

variable ratio

Answer 34

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

Question 35

fixed interval

Answer 35

operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforcers
responses only after a set amount of time has passed

Question 36

variable interval

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Observational learning

Answer 37

A learning method in which we observe and imitate others.

Question 38

latent learning

Answer 38

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

Question 39

insight learning

Answer 39

immediate and clear learning or understanding that takes place without overt trial-and-error testing

Question 40

instinctive drift

Answer 40

the tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behavior that interferes with
learning