chapter 6 learning

Question 1

What is learning in psychology?

Answer 1

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.

Question 2

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 2

Learning that occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response.

Question 3

Who discovered classical conditioning?

Answer 3

Ivan Pavlov, with experiments on dogs and salivation.

Question 4

What is an unconditioned stimulus (US)?

Answer 4

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.

Question 5

What is an unconditioned response (UR)?

Answer 5

A naturally occurring reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 6

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

Answer 6

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with a US, triggers a conditioned response.

Question 7

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

Answer 7

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Question 8

Give an example of classical conditioning.

Answer 8

Pavlov: Bell (CS) + Food (US) → Salivation (CR).

Question 9

What is acquisition in classical conditioning?

Answer 9

The initial stage of learning when the CS and US are paired.

Question 10

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

Answer 10

The weakening of the CR when the CS is presented without the US.

Question 11

What is spontaneous recovery?

Answer 11

The reappearance of an extinguished CR after a rest period.

Question 12

What is generalization in classical conditioning?

Answer 12

Responding similarly to stimuli that are similar to the CS.

Question 13

What is discrimination in classical conditioning?

Answer 13

Learning to respond only to the specific CS, not similar stimuli.

Question 14

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 14

Learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

Question 15

Who is associated with operant conditioning?

Answer 15

B.F. Skinner, using the Skinner box with rats and pigeons.

Question 16

What is reinforcement?

Answer 16

Any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.

Question 17

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 17

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase behavior.

Question 18

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 18

Removing an aversive stimulus to increase behavior.

Question 19

What is punishment?

Answer 19

Any event that decreases the behavior it follows.

Question 20

What is positive punishment?

Answer 20

Adding an aversive stimulus to decrease behavior.

Question 21

What is negative punishment?

Answer 21

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease behavior.

Question 22

What is a primary reinforcer?

Answer 22

A stimulus that is naturally reinforcing, like food or water.

Question 23

What is a secondary (conditioned) reinforcer?

Answer 23

A stimulus that gains reinforcing power through association with a primary reinforcer, like money.

Question 24

What is a fixed-ratio schedule?

Answer 24

Reinforcement occurs after a set number of responses.

Question 25

What is a variable-ratio schedule?

Answer 25

Reinforcement occurs after an unpredictable number of responses.

Question 26

What is a fixed-interval schedule?

Answer 26

Reinforcement occurs after a fixed amount of time.

Question 27

What is a variable-interval schedule?

Answer 27

Reinforcement occurs at unpredictable time intervals.

Question 28

What is shaping in operant conditioning?

Answer 28

Gradually reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior.

Question 29

What is extinction in operant conditioning?

Answer 29

When reinforcement stops, the behavior gradually decreases.

Question 30

What is spontaneous recovery in operant conditioning?

Answer 30

The reappearance of a behavior after extinction.

Question 31

What is observational learning?

Answer 31

Learning by observing and imitating others.

Question 32

Who is associated with observational learning?

Answer 32

Albert Bandura, famous for the Bobo doll experiment.

Question 33

What is modeling?

Answer 33

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Question 34

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 34

Learning to increase or decrease a behavior after seeing someone else reinforced or punished.

Question 35

What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?

Answer 35

Classical pairs stimuli; operant pairs behavior with consequences.

Question 36

What is behavior modification?

Answer 36

Using operant conditioning techniques to change behavior.

Question 37

What is biofeedback in learning?

Answer 37

Using external monitoring to gain control over physiological responses.

Question 38

What is cognitive learning?

Answer 38

Learning through mental processes, not just observable behavior.

Question 39

What is latent learning?

Answer 39

Learning that occurs but is not immediately demonstrated in behavior.

Question 40

What is the role of expectation in classical conditioning?

Answer 40

Animals and humans learn to anticipate events, influencing learning.

Question 41

What is preparedness in learning?

Answer 41

Biological predisposition to learn certain associations more easily.

Question 42

What is taste aversion learning?

Answer 42

A learned avoidance of a particular food after a single bad experience.

Question 43

What is the difference between reinforcement and punishment?

Answer 43

Reinforcement increases behavior; punishment decreases behavior.

Question 44

What is insight learning?

Answer 44

Sudden understanding of a problem solution without trial-and-error.

Question 45

What is the law of effect?

Answer 45

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely.

Question 46

What is operant extinction burst?

Answer 46

A temporary increase in behavior when reinforcement stops.

Question 47

What is a token economy?

Answer 47

A system where tokens are earned for desired behavior and exchanged for rewards.

Question 48

What is continuous reinforcement?

Answer 48

Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs.

Question 49

What is partial (intermittent) reinforcement?

Answer 49

Reinforcing a behavior only part of the time, making it more resistant to extinction.