Unit 6: Learning and Behaviorism

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

The changing of behavior in response to experience.

Question 2

Habituates

Answer 2

To grow accustomed to a situation or stimulus.

Question 3

Associative Learning

Answer 3

The association/connection of two or more stimuli, where an organism learns that certain events occur together.

Question 4

Classical Conditioning

Answer 4

A type of learning that occurs when two or more stimuli are associated with one another (Ex: Phobias).

Question 5

Ivan Pavlov

Answer 5

A psychologist who researched Classical Conditioning via his dog experiment, in which he associated the sound of a bell with food, causing them to salivate without the stimulus of food and only the bell.

Question 6

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Answer 6

A stimulus that does not invoke a response due to no association with another stimulus. This is the first stage of Classical Conditioning.

Question 7

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

Answer 7

A stimulus that elicits a natural response (Ex: savory food that might cause someone to salivate). This is the second stage of Classical Conditioning.

Question 8

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

Answer 8

The automatic response to the Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) (Ex: the salivation that occurs in response to savory food). This is the third stage of Classical Conditioning.

Question 9

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Answer 9

The Neutral Stimulus after it has been associated with another stimulus. This is the fourth stage of Classical Conditioning.

Question 10

Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 10

The response to the Conditioned Stimulus (CS) (Ex: Salivation). This is the fifth stage of Classical Conditioning.

Question 11

Acquisition

Answer 11

When a behavior, such as a Conditioned Response, has been learned.

Question 12

Extinction

Answer 12

The gradual weakening of a conditioned response that results in the behavior decreasing or disappearing.

Question 13

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 13

When a behavior that is believed to be extinct unexpectedly and quickly returns after a period of rest or less frequent response.

Question 14

Higher-Order Conditioning

Answer 14

The use of a strong Conditioned Stimulus (CS) with a Neutral Stimulus (NS).

Question 15

Stimulus Generalization

Answer 15

The Conditioned Stimulus (CS) can be changed slightly and have the same effect (Ex: Bridges, Sirens, etc.).

Question 16

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 16

The Conditioned Stimulus (CS) is very specific and only is elicited from a specific stimulus (Ex: School Bell, Parent’s Voice, etc.).

Question 17

One-Trial Conditioning

Answer 17

The theory that learning takes place in a single pairing of a response and stimulus and is not strengthened over time by repeated exposure to a stimulus.

Question 18

Counter Conditioning

Answer 18

Conditioning someone to change their response from fear to excitement or excitement to fear (Ex: Wolves too scared to eat sheep).

Question 19

Operant Conditioning

Answer 19

A form of learning in which responses come to be controlled by their consequences.

Question 20

Law of Effect

Answer 20

If a response results in satisfaction, the response will strengthen.

Question 21

Emit vs. Elicit

Answer 21

“Emit” is a behavior that is voluntary, while ‘Elicit” is an automatic behavior that is triggered by a stimulus.

Question 22

Shaping

Answer 22

Using reinforcement to gradually get to the desired behavior.

Question 23

Chaining

Answer 23

Shaping behaviors together.

Question 24

Reinforcement

Answer 24

The strengthening of a response due to a stimulus by pairing both said response and stimulus together (Ex: Gambling).

Question 25

Primary Reinforcement

Answer 25

Reinforcement that is biologically based (Ex: Food, homeostasis, satisfaction).

Question 26

Secondary Reinforcement

Answer 26

Reinforcement that is socially learned (Ex: Reward for grades, looking pretty).

Question 27

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 27

Increasing behavior by introducing something good (Ex: Verbal Praise, Attention, High Grade).

Question 28

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 28

Increasing behavior by removing something bad (Ex:

Question 29

Negative Punishment

Answer 29

Decreasing Behavior by removing something good (Ex: Grounded).

Question 30

Positive Punishment

Answer 30

Decreasing Behavior by adding something bad (Ex: Scolding, Shock, Spanking).

Question 31

Generalization via Operant Conditioning

Answer 31

When a Secondary Reinforcer is associated with a number of different Primary Reinforcers (Ex: Checking phone for notifications leads to satisfaction).

Question 32

Discrimination via Operant Conditioning

Answer 32

When a response is only invoked by the discriminative stimulus and not to similar stimuli.

Question 33

Continuous Reinforcement

Answer 33

When a reinforcer/reward is given every time a desired behavior is exhibited.

Question 34

Fixed Interval

Answer 34

Reinforcement is available at a predetermined time (Ex: School Bells, Hourly Pay, Holidays).

Question 35

Variable Interval

Answer 35

The time at which a reinforcer will be available varies around some average rather than being fixed (Ex: Weather, phone calls).

Question 36

Fixed Ratio

Answer 36

Reinforcement depends on a certain amount of behavior being emitted (Ex: Restaurant rewards, commissions).

Question 37

Variable Ratio

Answer 37

The number of required responses varies around some average rather than being fixed.

Question 38

Scalloping Effect

Answer 38

A response pattern that occurs when responses start slowly but then increase in speed as the time that reinforcement is used nears (Ex: Packing up before class ends).

Question 39

Resistance to Extinction

Answer 39

The tendency of a learned behavior to persist even when reinforcement is no longer provided.

Question 40

Instinctive Drift

Answer 40

A conditioned reflex that cannot be taught (Ex: Racoons rubbing/cleaning their hands).

Question 41

Taste Aversion

Answer 41

A learned response where an organism develops a strong dislike for a particular food or taste after associating it with a negative experience.

Question 42

Preparedness

Answer 42

People are more likely to develop phobias due to evolution instead of learning (Ex: Spiders, Heights, Darkness).

Question 43

Latent Learning

Answer 43

Learning which is not apparent in the learner’s behavior at the time of learning, but which manifests later when a suitable motivation and circumstances appear (Ex: Knowing how to somewhat drive your first time driving a car).

Question 44

Cognitive Maps

Answer 44

A mental representation of the spatial layout of an environment (Ex: A rat completing a maze quicker each time).

Question 45

Insight Learning

Answer 45

A type of learning/problem solving that happens in an “aha” moment through understanding the relationships and various parts of a problem rather than through trial and error.

Question 46

Social Learning Theory

Answer 46

The idea that people learn behaviors primarily by observing and imitating others (Ex: Bobo Doll).

Question 47

Four Key Processes

Answer 47

Attention: We have to notice it.
Retention: Remembering the incident.
Reproduction: Practice the behavior.
Motivation: If we see it rewarded we are more likely to actually do it.

Question 48

Acquisition vs. Performance

Answer 48

Performance occurs when reinforcement is more likely.

Question 49

John (J.B.) Watson

Answer 49

A psychologist who researched Stimulus Generalization and Stimulus Discrimination via The Baby Albert experiment, in which conditioned stimuli could be associated with a specific object/feature (a specific type of animal), but can also be associated with an entire idea or group (all fuzzy animals).

Question 50

Wolfgang Kohler

Answer 50

A psychologist who researched Insight Learning via an experiment with Sultan the chimpanzee, who learned to fetch bananas off of the wall by stacking boxes around the room to get high enough to reach them.

Question 51

B.F. Skinner

Answer 51

A psychologist who researched Shaping, Behavior Modification, and Schedules of Reinforcement via his Skinner Box, shaping the behavior of animals through Reinforcement (Ex: Pigeons pulling levers to feed themselves).

Question 52

Albert Bandura

Answer 52

A psychologist who proved Social Learning Theory (learning can occur through observation) via The Bobo Doll Experiment, in which children watched adults verbally and physically abuse the doll and then proceeded to replicate the behavior.