Psych 7

Question 1

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 1

Acquisition

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

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 3

Behaviorism

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Classical Conditioning

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Cognitive Learning

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Conditioned Reinforcer

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Conditioned Response

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Conditioned Stimulus

Question 9

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Answer 9

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Discrimination

Question 11

the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.

Answer 11

Extinction

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Extrinsic Motivation

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Fixed Interval Schedule

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Question 15

the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses

Answer 15

Generalization

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

Higher Order Conditioning

Question 17

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

Answer 17

Intrinsic Motivation

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Latent Learning

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Law of Effect

Question 20

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. This is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. This is NOT punishment.

Answer 20

Negative Reinforcement

Question 21

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

Answer 21

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Question 22

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Answer 22

Operant Behavior

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Operant Conditioning

Question 24

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 24

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

Question 25

increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. This is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

Answer 25

Positive Reinforcement

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Preparedness

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Primary Reinforcer

Question 28

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

Answer 28

Reinforcement

Question 29

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Answer 29

Respondent Behavior

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Shaping

Question 31

any event or situation that evokes a response

Answer 31

Stimulus

Question 32

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

Answer 32

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Question 33

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers an unconditioned response (UR).

Answer 33

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Question 34

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

Answer 34

Variable Interval Schedule

Question 35

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

Answer 35

Variable ratio schedule