Module 19: Basic Learning Concepts and Classical Conditioning

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

The process of acquiring through experience new and relatively enduring information or behaviors.

Question 2

Associative Learning

Answer 2

Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequence (as in operant conditioning).

Question 3

Stimulus

Answer 3

Any event or situation that evokes a response.

Question 4

Respondent Behavior

Answer 4

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus.

Question 5

Operant Behavior

Answer 5

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing a consequence.

Question 6

Classical Conditioning

Answer 6

A type of learning in which we link two or more stimuli; as a result, to illustrate with Pavlov’s experiment, the first stimulus (a tone) comes to elicit behavior (drooling) in anticipation of the second stimulus (food).

Question 7

Behaviorism

Answer 7

The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not (2).

Question 8

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Answer 8

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning.

Question 9

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Answer 9

In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (ex. salvation) to an unconditioned stimulus (ex. such as food in mouth).

Question 10

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Answer 10

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers an unconditioned response.

Question 11

Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 11

In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral, but now conditioned, stimulus.

Question 12

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Answer 12

In classical conditioning, an originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Question 13

Acquisition

Answer 13

In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response.

Question 14

Extinction

Answer 14

Diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus doesn’t follow a conditioned stimulus. Occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.

Question 15

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 15

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.

Question 16

Generalization

Answer 16

The tendency, once a response is conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses. (In operant conditioning, it occurs when responses learned in one situation occur in other, similar situations).

Question 17

Discrimination

Answer 17

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli that don’t signal an unconditioned stimulus. (In operant conditioning, the ability to distinguish responses that are reinforced from similar responses that aren’t reinforced.