Unit 4 Learning

Question 1

Acquisition

Answer 1

classical conditioning: the initial stage when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus conditioned a response

operant conditioning: strengthening of a reinforced response

Question 2

Behaviorism

Answer 2

the view that psychology should be an objective science, studying behavior without reference to mental processes

Question 3

Biofeedback

Answer 3

a system for electronically recording amplifying, and fading back information regarding a subtle psychological state, such as blood pressure or muscle tension

Question 4

Classical conditioning

Answer 4

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 tone comes to elicit behavior drooling in anticipation

Question 5

Cognitive map

Answer 5

a mental representation of the layout of one environment

Question 6

Conditioned Response

Answer 6

in classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral response

Question 7

Conditioned Stimulus

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Continuous Reinforcement

Answer 8

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Question 9

Discrimination

Answer 9

classical conditioning: the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and a similar stimulus that does not signal an unconditioned stimulus

Operant Conditioning: distinguish responses reinforced from similar responses that aren’t reinforced

Question 10

Extinction

Answer 10

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 in longer reinforced

Question 11

Extrinsic Motivation

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Generalization

Answer 14

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

operant conditioning: occurs when responses learned in one situation occur in another

Question 15

Intrinsic Motivation

Answer 15

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

Question 16

Latent Learning

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Law of Effect

Answer 17

behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely

Question 18

Learned Helplessness

Answer 18

the hopelessness and passive resignation and animal or person learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events

Question 19

Mirror Neurons

Answer 19

frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when we perform certain actions or observe another doing so

Question 20

Modeling

Answer 20

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Question 21

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 21

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing adverse stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response strengthens the response

Question 22

Observational learning/Social Learning

Answer 22

learning by observing others

Question 23

Operant Conditioning

Answer 23

a type of learning in which a behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcer or less likely to recur if followed by a punishment

Question 24

Overjustification Effect

Answer 24

The overjustification effect occurs when an external incentive decreases a person’s intrinsic motivation to perform a behavior or participate in an activity

Question 25

Partial Reinforcement

Answer 25

reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition at a response but much greater resistance

Question 26

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Primary reinforcer

Answer 27

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies biological needs

Question 28

shaping

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 29

the reappearance after a pause of an extinguished conditioned response

Question 30

Unconditioned Response

Answer 30

in classical conditioning, an unlearned naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus

Question 31

Unconditioned Stimulus

Answer 31

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally naturally and automatically triggers an unconditioned response

Question 32

Variable-Interval Schedule

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Answer 33

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