Module 22

Question 0

The chamber also known as Skinner box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animals rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research.

Answer 0

Operant chamber

Question 1

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Answer 1

Law of effect

Question 2

A relatively permanent change in an organisms behavior due to experience.

Answer 2

Learning

Question 3

An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.

Answer 3

Shaping

Question 4

An operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior that follows.

Answer 4

Reinforcer

Question 5

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response strengthens the response.

Answer 5

Positive reinforcement

Question 6

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.

Answer 6

Negative reinforcement

Question 7

An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.

Answer 7

Primary reinforcer

Question 8

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as secondary reinforcer.

Answer 8

Conditioned reinforcer

Question 9

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Answer 9

Continuous reinforcement

Question 10

Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.

Answer 10

Partial ( intermittent ) reinforcement

Question 11

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.

Answer 11

Fixed ratio schedule

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Variable ratio schedule

Question 13

In operant conditioning, reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

Answer 13

Fixed interval schedule

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Variable interval schedule

Question 15

An event that decreases the behavior that it follows.

Answer 15

Punishment

Question 16

A mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. For example, after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it.

Answer 16

Cognitive map

Question 17

Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.

Answer 17

Latent learning

Question 18

The desire to perform a behavior for its own sake.

Answer 18

Intrinsic motivation

Question 19

A desire to perform a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment.

Answer 19

Extrinsic motivation

Question 20

Learning that certain events (a response and its consequences in operant conditioning) occur together.

Answer 20

Associative learning

Question 21

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

Answer 21

Operant conditioning

Question 22

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus; Skinners term for behavior learned through classical conditioning.

Answer 22

Respondent behavior

Question 23

Behavior that operates in the environment, producing consequences.

Answer 23

Operant behavior