PSYC 7

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Learning

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Associative Learning

Question 3

Any event or situation that evokes a response.

Answer 3

Stimulus

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Cognitive Learning

Question 5

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.

Answer 5

Classical Conditioning

Question 6

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 with (2).

Answer 6

Behaviorism

Question 7

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus.

Answer 7

Respondent Behavior

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Neural Stimulus (NS)

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Question 10

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers a response (UR).

Answer 10

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Conditioned Response (CR)

Question 12

In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response (CR).

Answer 12

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Question 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.

Answer 13

Acquisition

Question 14

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.

Answer 14

Extinction

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Spontaneous Recovery

Question 16

The tendency, one a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.

Answer 16

Generalization

Question 17

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Answer 17

Discrimination

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Learning

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Associative Learning

Question 20

Any event or situation that evokes a response.

Answer 20

Stimulus

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

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

Answer 22

Law of Effect

Question 23

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.

Answer 23

Operant Chamber

Question 24

In operant conditioning, any even that strengthens the behavior it follows.

Answer 24

Reinforcement

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Shaping

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Positive Reinforcement

Question 27

Increasing behaviors by stopping ore reducing negative stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: Negative reinforcement is not punishment.)

Answer 27

Negative Reinforcement

Question 28

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

Answer 28

Primary Reinforcer

Question 29

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

Answer 29

Conditioned Reinforcer

Question 30

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Answer 30

Continuous Reinforcement

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Reinforcement Schedule

Question 32

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 32

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

Question 33

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

Answer 33

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Question 34

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

Answer 34

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Question 35

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

Answer 35

Variable-Interval Schedule

Question 36

An event that tends to decrease the behavior it follows.

Answer 36

Punishment

Question 37

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus.

Answer 37

Respondent Behavior

Question 38

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences.

Answer 38

Operant Behavior

Question 39

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

Answer 39

Learning

Question 40

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

Answer 40

Cognitive Learning

Question 41

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

Answer 41

Cognitive Map

Question 42

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

Answer 42

Latent Learning

Question 43

A desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake.

Answer 43

Intrinsic Motivation

Question 44

A desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment.

Answer 44

Extrinsic Motivation

Question 45

Learning by observing others.

Answer 45

Observational Learning

Question 46

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Answer 46

Modeling

Question 47

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

Answer 47

Mirror Neurons

Question 48

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

Answer 48

Prosocial Behavior