Chapter 6: Conditioning and Learning

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

any relatively permanent change in behavior that can be attributed to experience

Question 2

associative learning

Answer 2

the formation of simple associations between various stimuli and responses

Question 3

cognitive learning

Answer 3

higher-level learning involving thinking, knowing, understanding, and anticipation

Question 4

antecendents

Answer 4

events that precede a response

Question 5

consequences

Answer 5

effects that follow a response

Question 6

reflex

Answer 6

innate, automatic response to a stimulus

Question 7

classical conditioning

Answer 7

a form of learning in which reflex responses are associated with new stimuli

Question 8

operant conditioning

Answer 8

learning based on the positive or negative consequences of responding

Question 9

unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 9

something that elicits a response without any prior experience

Question 10

unconditioned response (UR)

Answer 10

response to a stimulus that requires no previous experience

Question 11

neutral stimulus (NS)

Answer 11

a stimulus that does not evoke a response

Question 12

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 12

neutral stimulus that, through pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to elicit a learned response

Question 13

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 13

learned reaction elicited by pairing an origionally neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus

Question 14

acquisition

Answer 14

the period in conditioning during which a response is reinforced

Question 15

higher-order conditioning

Answer 15

classical conditioning in which a conditioned stimulus is used to reinforce further learning - that is, a CS is used as if it were a US

Question 16

informational view (of conditioning)

Answer 16

a perspective that explains learning in terms of information imparted by events in the environment

Question 17

expectancies

Answer 17

anticipations concerning future events or relationships

Question 18

extinction (classical conditioning)

Answer 18

weakening of a learned response by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus

Question 19

spontaneous discovery

Answer 19

reappearance of a learned response after its apparent extinction

Question 20

stimulus generalization

Answer 20

tendency to respond to stimuli similar to a conditioned stimulus

Question 21

stimulus discrimination

Answer 21

the tendency to respond differently to similar stimuli

Question 22

conditioned emotional response (CER)

Answer 22

an emotional response that has been linked to a previously non-emotional stimulus by classical conditioning

Question 23

systematic desensitization

Answer 23

method of reducing fear by gradually exposing people to the object of their fear

Question 24

vicarious classical conditioning

Answer 24

classical conditioning brought about by observing another person react to a particular stimulus

Question 25

operant conditioing

Answer 25

learning based on the positive or negative consequences of responding

Question 26

law of effect

Answer 26

responses that lead to desirable results are repeated while those that produce undesirable ones are not

Question 27

reinforcement

Answer 27

any event that increases the probability of responses it follows

Question 28

operant conditioning chamber (Skinner box)

Answer 28

an apparatus designed to study operant conditioning in animals

Question 29

response contingent

Answer 29

occurring only after a response

Question 30

superstitious behavior

Answer 30

a behavior repeated because it seems to produce reinforcement, even though it is actually unnecessary

Question 31

response chain

Answer 31

a series of actions that eventually lead to reinforement

Question 32

shaping

Answer 32

reinforcement of increasingly close approximations of a desired response

Question 33

extinction (operant conditioning)

Answer 33

weakening of a learned stimulus when it is no longer followed by reinforement

Question 34

positive reinforement

Answer 34

when a response is followed by a reward or other positive event

Question 35

negative reinforment

Answer 35

strengthening a behavior by removing something unpleasant from the environment of the organism

Question 36

positive punishment (punishment)

Answer 36

any event that follows a response and decreases its likelihood of occurring again; the process of suppressing a response

Question 37

negative punishment (response cost)

Answer 37

removal of a positive reinforcer after a response is made

Question 38

stimulus control

Answer 38

stimuli present when an operant response is acquired tend to control when and where the response is made

Question 39

operant stimulus generalization

Answer 39

the tendency to respond to stimuli similar to those that preceded reinforement

Question 40

operant stimulus discrimination

Answer 40

the tendency to make an operant response when stimuli previously associated with regard are present and to withhold the response when stimuli associated with nonreward are presen

Question 41

discriminative stimuli

Answer 41

stimuli that preceded rewarded and nonrewarded responses in operant conditioning

Question 42

primary reinforcers

Answer 42

no learned reinforcers; usually those that satisfy physiological needs

Question 43

secondary reinforcement

Answer 43

reward that organisms learn to like

Question 44

secondary reinforcer

Answer 44

a learned reinforcer; often one that gains reinforcing properties by association with a primary reinforcer

Question 45

token reinforcement (reinorcer)

Answer 45

a tangible secondary reinforcer such as money, gold stars, poker ships, and the like

Question 46

continuous reinforcement

Answer 46

pattern in which a reinforcer follows every correct response

Question 46

social reinforcer (reinforement)

Answer 46

reinforcement based on receiving attention, approval, or affection from another person

Question 47

partial reinforcament

Answer 47

pattern in which only a portion of all responses are reinforced

Question 48

partial reinforcement effect

Answer 48

responses acquired with partial reinforcement are more resistant to extinction

Question 49

schedule of reinforcement

Answer 49

protocol for determining when and how often responses will be rewarded

Question 50

fixed ratio (FR) schedule

Answer 50

rule specifying the number of correct responses a subject must give to receive reinforcement

Question 51

variable ratio (VR) schedule

Answer 51

rule for delivering reinforcement after varying numbers of correct response

Question 52

fixed interval (FI) schedule

Answer 52

rule for how long a set time period must pass before a subject's correct response can be reinforced

Question 53

variable interval (VI) schedule

Answer 53

rule for how long a varying time period must pass before a subject's correct response can be reinforced

Question 54

punishment

Answer 54

any event that deceased the probability of responses it follows

Question 55

escape learning

Answer 55

learning to make a response in order to end an aversive stimulus

Question 56

avoidance learning

Answer 56

learning to make a response n order to postpone or prevent discomfort

Question 57

cognitive learning

Answer 57

higher-level learning involving thinking, knowing, understanding, and anticipation

Question 58

latent learning

Answer 58

acquisition of knowledge or skills not immediately observable in an organism's behavior

Question 59

cognitive map

Answer 59

mental representation of the environment

Question 60

feedback

Answer 60

information returned to a person about the effect a response has had; also known as knowledge of results (KR)

Question 61

knowledge of results (KR)

Answer 61

informational feedback

Question 62

programmed instruction

Answer 62

any learning format that presents information in small amounts, gives immediate practice, and provides continuous feedback to learners

Question 63

rote learning

Answer 63

learning that takes place mechanically, thought repetition and memorization, or by learning rules

Question 64

discovery learning

Answer 64

learning based on insight and understanding

Question 65

observational learning

Answer 65

acquiring information on how to perform new behaviors by watching others

Question 66

model (in learning)

Answer 66

a person who serves as an example in observational learning

Question 67

behavioral contract

Answer 67

a formal agreement stating behaviors to be changed and consequences that apply

Question 68

premack principle

Answer 68

any high-frequency response can be used to reinforce a low-frequency response

Question 69

self-recording

Answer 69

self-management based on keeping records of response frequencies