Unit 6 Learning

Question 1

conditioned reinforcer

Answer 1

a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer. (p. 278)

Question 2

continuous reinforcement

Answer 2

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs. (p. 279)

Question 3

discriminative stimulus

Answer 3

in operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement (in contrast to related stimuli not associated with reinforcement). (p. 277)

Question 4

fixed-interval schedule

Answer 4

a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

The person knows when they are gonna be reinforced. So they can slack when there are not going to be reinforced. This response occurs frequently

Question 5

fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 5

a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses. Pause after reinforcer but then return and there is a high response rate

Question 6

law of effect

Answer 6

Thorndike… we repeat a behavior because we like the outcome

Question 7

negative reinforcement

Answer 7

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: Negative reinforcement is not punishment.) (p. 278)

Question 8

operant chamber

Answer 8

a chamber 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.

This is a very controlled environment

Question 9

operant conditioning

Answer 9

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

This is not reflexive it’s voluntary. The subject learns the consequences of their behaviors

Question 10

partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Answer 10

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. (p. 279)

Question 11

positive reinforcement

Answer 11

increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response. (p. 277)

Question 12

primary reinforcer

Answer 12

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need. (p. 278)

Question 13

punishment

Answer 13

an event that tends to decrease the behavior that it follows. (p. 281)

Question 14

reinforcement

Answer 14

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows. (p. 276)

Question 15

shaping

Answer 15

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior. (p. 276)

Question 16

variable-interval schedule

Answer 16

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

You don’t know when the reinforcement is however it’s is a slow and steady response rate

Question 17

variable-ratio schedule

Answer 17

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.
High response, don’t no when reinforcement is, no extinction

Question 18

acquisition

Answer 18

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. (p. 268)

Question 19

associative learning

Answer 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). (p. 264)

Question 20

behaviorism

Answer 20

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).

Question 21

classical conditioning

Answer 21

a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events. (p. 266)

Question 22

cognitive learning

Answer 22

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

Question 23

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 23

in classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS). (p. 268)

Question 24

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 24

in classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response (CR). (p. 268)

Question 25

discrimination

Answer 25

in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus. (p. 270) No generalization

Question 26

extinction

Answer 26

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. (p. 269) When a conditioned response no longer occurs

Question 27

generalization

Answer 27

the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses. (p. 269)

Question 28

Habituation

Answer 28

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner. You till perceive a stimulus

Question 29

Higher-order conditioning

Answer 29

the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus. (Also called second-order conditioning.) Once you get usd to stimuli you can turn it into US and link it to other stimulus. This response will grow weaker the more it’s done

Question 30

Learning

Answer 30

the process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors. (p. 263)

Question 31

Neutral stimulus

Answer 31

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning. (p. 266)

Question 32

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 32

the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response. (p. 269)

Question 33

Stimulus

Answer 33

any event or situation that evokes a response. (p. 264)

Question 34

Unconditioned response(UR)

Answer 34

in classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditioned stimulus (US) (such as food in the mouth). (p. 267)

Question 35

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Biofeedback

Answer 36

a system for electronically recording, amplifying, and feeding back information regarding a subtle physiological state, such as blood pressure or muscle tension. (p. 289)

Question 37

Operant behavior

Answer 37

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences. (p. 289)

Question 38

Respondent behavior

Answer 38

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus. (p. 289)

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. (p. 297)

Question 40

Coping

Answer 40

alleviating stress using emotional, cognitive, or behavioral methods. (p.

Question 41

Emotion-focused coping

Answer 41

attempting to alleviate stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor and attending to emotional needs related to one's stress reaction. (p. 298)

Question 42

External locus of control

Answer 42

the perception that chance or outside forces beyond our personal control determine our fate. (p. 300)

Question 43

Extrinsic motivation

Answer 43

a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment. (p. 298)

Question 44

Insight

Answer 44

a sudden realization of a problem's solution; contrasts with strategy-based solutions. (p. 297)

Question 45

internal locus of control

Answer 45

the perception that you control your own fate. (p. 300)

Question 46

Intrinsic motivation

Answer 46

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake. (p. 297)

Question 47

Latent

Answer 47

learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it. (p. 297)

Question 48

learned helplessness

Answer 48

the hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events. (p. 299)

Question 49

Problem-focused coping

Answer 49

attempting to alleviate stress directly--by changing the stressor or the way we interact with that stressor. (p. 298)

Question 50

Self-control

Answer 50

the ability to control impulses and delay short-term gratification for greater long-term rewards. (p. 301)

Question 51

mirror neurons

Answer 51

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. (p. 304)

Question 52

Modeling

Answer 52

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior. (p. 304)

Question 53

Observational learning

Answer 53

learning by observing others. (Also called social learning.) (p. 304)

Question 54

Pro social behavior

Answer 54

positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior. (p. 307)