11 - Generalization, Discrimination, and Stimulus Control

Question 1

Generalization

Answer 1

the tendency to respond in the same way to different but similar stimuli

Question 2

What are the dangers of generalization?

Answer 2

-Animal encounters
-Prejudice/stereotypes

Question 3

Generalization Gradient

Answer 3

Any graphic representation of generalization data

Question 4

Semantic Generalization

Answer 4

when learned behavior generalizes on the basis of an abstract feature (physical properties)

Question 5

T/F. Extinction and punishment may transfer to other situations

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Discrimination

Answer 6

the tendency to respond only to certain stimuli, and not respond to those that are similar

Question 7

Discrimination Training

Answer 7

involves procedures intended to get animals to be able to distinguish between specific stimuli

Question 8

Successive Discrimination

Answer 8

an operant discrimination training procedure in which S+ and S- are alternate randomly

Question 9

Simultaneous Discrimination

Answer 9

an operant discrimination training procedure in which the S+ and S- are presented at the same time

Question 10

Matching to Sample (MTS)

Answer 10

a discrimination training procedure in which the task is to select from two or more comparison stimuli and choose the one that matches a sample

Question 11

Mismatching/Oddity Matching

Answer 11

a variation of matching to sample in which reinforcement is available for selecting the comparison stimulus that is different from the sample

Question 12

Errorless Discrimination Training

Answer 12

a form of discrimination training in which the S- is introduced in a very weak form and gradually strengthened while the S+ is constantly reinforced. By the time S- reaches same strength as S+, there are very few errors made

Question 13

Who is credited with having developed Errorless Discrimination Training?

Answer 13

Herbert Terrace

Question 14

Stimulus Control

Answer 14

the tendency for a behavior to occur in the presence of an S+ but not in the presence of an S-

Question 15

Pavlov’s Theory

Answer 15

-Believed that discrimination training produced physiological changes in the brain
-CS+ becomes associated with an excitation area, while CS- becomes associated with an inhibition
-Limitation: physiological vents are only inferred from observed behavior, not empirically demonstrated

Question 16

Spence’s Theory

Answer 16

-The tendency to respond to any given stimulus is the result of the interaction of the increased and decreased tendencies to respond, as reflected by the excitatory gradient and the inhibitory gradient
-Therefore, after discrimination training, the highest rate of responding will not be for S+, because it resembles the S- more so than does a stimulus even farther away from the S- (known as peak shift)

Question 17

Concept Formation

Answer 17

Notion that through training, we learn to generalize within concepts and discriminate between concepts

Question 18

T/F. Animals can discriminate between “relational concepts”

Answer 18

True

Question 19

T/F. Environmental stimuli that have been paired with reinforcing effects of a habit acquire a degree of stimulus control

Answer 19

True