Unit 5A: Learning

Question 1

Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

The process of learning by association (associating a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus)

Question 2

Unconditioned Stimulus

Answer 2

a stimulus that naturally causes a response (unlearned)

Question 3

Unconditioned Response

Answer 3

A natural, unlearned response to a stimulus

Ex. crying while cutting onions

Question 4

Conditioned Stimulus

Answer 4

a stimulus that causes a response after an association with the unconditioned stimulus
Ex. The Tuning fork in Pavlov’s experiment

Question 5

Conditioned Response

Answer 5

The now learned response to the conditioned stimulus

Ex. Dogs salivate after the tuning fork in Pavlov’s experiment

Question 6

Acquisition

Answer 6

The process in which a behavior is learned

Question 7

Extinction

Answer 7

When a conditioned stimulus no longer causes a conditioned response. (The behavior no longer happens)

Question 8

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 8

When a behavior comes back after a period of extinction

Question 9

Generalization

Answer 9

When two (or more) stimuli cause a conditioned response because they are similar.
Ex. Turkey made you sick, but you stop eating chicken

Question 10

Discrimination

Answer 10

When you can differentiate between similar stimuli

Question 11

Operant Conditioning

Answer 11

The process of learned through reinforcements or punishments

Question 12

Law of effect

Answer 12

When there is reinforcement or punishment, people are more likely to respond

Question 13

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 13

When a person adds a stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior
Ex. You receive an allowance for doing chores

Question 14

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 14

When a (negative) stimulus is removed in order to increase a behavior
Ex. Seatbelt buzzer turns off when I buckle my seatbelt

Question 15

Positive Punishment

Answer 15

When a stimulus is added to decrease a behavior

Ex. You receive a spanking after talking back to your mom

Question 16

Negative Punishment

Answer 16

When a (positive) stimulus is removed in order to decrease a behavior
Ex. You had bad grades, so your parent took your phone away

Question 17

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Answer 17

When you are reinforced or punished after a predictable NUMBER OF TIMES
Ex. Every 10 TIMES I go to the coffee shop, I receive a free coffee

Question 18

Variable Ratio Schedule

Answer 18

When you are reinforced or punished after an unpredictable NUMBER OF TIMES
Ex. Sometimes a slot machine rewards me after the FIRST PULL, other times I PULL IT 100 times and receive nothing.

Question 19

Fixed Interval

Answer 19

When you are reinforced or punished after a predictable AMOUNT OF TIME
Ex. I receive a paycheck every TWO WEEKS

Question 20

Variable Interval

Answer 20

When you are reinforced or punished after an unpredictable AMOUNT OF TIME
Ex. Fishing. Sometimes a fish bites your hook after 5 MINUTES, other times you wait HOURS

Question 21

Shaping

Answer 21

The process of learning a behavior step by step

Ex. I do not teach a dog to roll over, I first teach it to sit, then lay down, then roll over

Question 22

Watson’s Little Albert Experiment

Answer 22

Watson conditioned a baby to fear white fluffy things by making a loud noise every time the baby was exposed to something whit and fluffy

Question 23

Pavlov’s Dog Experiment

Answer 23

Pavlov conditioned his dogs to salivate at the sound of a tuning fork.

• Dogs initially salivated due to food
• He rang a tuning fork each time he gave his dogs food
• Dogs salivated to the tuning fork based on association

Question 24

Skinner’s Operant Box

Answer 24

Skinner used a chamber with knobs and buttons to teach complex skills to animals using reinforcement and operant conditioning

Question 25

Observational Learning

Answer 25

Mimicking the behavior we see in others. Learning from watching other people do things.

Question 26

Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment

Answer 26

Children watched an adult beat up a clown doll
Children started to beat up the clown doll as well
- Proved Observational Learning