Modules 20-22 (Lecture 7)

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

Cognitive Learning

Answer 6

The acquisition of mental information whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language.

Question 7

Classical Conditioning

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Behaviorism

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Answer 10

In classical conditioning, an unlearned naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditioned stimulus (such as food in the mouth)

Question 11

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Answer 11

In classical condition, a stimulus that unconditionally – naturally and automatically – triggers an unconditioned response.

Question 12

Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Acquistion

Answer 14

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 15

Higher-order Conditioning

Answer 15

A procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus. For example, an animal that has learned that a tone predicts food might then learn that a light predicts the tone and begin responding to the light alone (Also called second-order conditioning)

Question 16

Extinction

Answer 16

The diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.

Question 17

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Generalization

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Discrimination

Answer 19

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus; in operant conditioned, the ability to distinguish responses that are reinforced from similar responses, that are not reinforced.

Question 20

Law of Effect

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Operant Chamber

Answer 21

In operant conditioning research, a chamber (also known as a “skinner box”) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking.

Question 22

Reinforcement

Answer 22

In operant conditioning, any event that “strengthens” the behavior it follows

Question 23

Shaping

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 25

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing an aversive stimulus. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that when removed after a response, strengthens the response (Not this is not punishment)

Question 26

Primary Reinforcer

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Conditioned Reinforcer

Answer 27

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer. (AKA secondary reinforcer)

Question 28

Reinforcement Schedule

Answer 28

A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

Question 29

Continuous Reinforcement

Answer 29

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Question 30

Partial (Intermittent)

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

Reinforcement Schedule

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Variable-Interval Schedule

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Punishment

Answer 36

An event that tends to decrease the behavior that it follows

Question 37

Preparedness

Answer 37

A biological predisposition to learn associations, such as between taste and nausea, that have survival value

Question 38

Instinctive Drift

Answer 38

The tendency of learned behavior to gradually revert to biologically predisposed patterns

Question 39

Cognitive Map

Answer 39

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.

Question 40

Latent Learning

Answer 40

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

Question 41

Observational Learning

Answer 41

Learning by observing others

Question 42

Modeling

Answer 42

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Question 43

Mirror Neurons

Answer 43

Frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when we perform certain actions of observe another doing so. The brain’s mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy

Question 44

Prosocial Behavior

Answer 44

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior.