Chapter 7 Learning recall

Question 1

learning

Answer 1

the process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors.

Question 2

associative learning

Answer 2

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).

Question 3

stimulus

Answer 3

any event or situation that evokes a response.

Question 4

cognitive learning

Answer 4

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

Question 5

classical conditioning

Answer 5

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

Question 6

behaviorism

Answer 6

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 7

neutral stimulus (NS)

Answer 7

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning.

Question 8

unconditioned response (UR)

Answer 8

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

Question 9

unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 9

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

Question 10

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 10

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

Question 11

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 11

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

Question 12

acquisition

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Higher-order conditioning

Answer 13

a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neural stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus. For example, an animal that has learned that a tone predicts food might then learn that a light predicts that tone and begin responding to the light alone. (Also called second-order conditioning)

Question 14

extinction

Answer 14

the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.

Question 15

spontaneous recovery

Answer 15

the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.

Question 16

discrimination

Answer 16

in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 17

operant conditioning

Answer 17

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

Question 18

law of effect

Answer 18

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Question 19

operant chamber

Answer 19

in operant conditioning research, a chamber (also known as a Skinner box) 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 picking

Question 20

reinforcement

Answer 20

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

Question 21

shaping

Answer 21

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

Question 22

positive reinforcement

Answer 22

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

Question 23

negative reinforcement

Answer 23

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

Question 24

primary reinforcer

Answer 24

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.

Question 25

conditioned reinforcer

Answer 25

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

Question 26

reinforcement schedule

Answer 26

a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

Question 27

continuous reinforcement

Answer 27

Reinforcing the the desired response every time it occurs.

Question 28

partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Answer 28

reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction that does continuous reinforcement.

Question 29

Fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 29

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.

Question 30

Variable-ratio schedule

Answer 30

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after an unpredictable number of responses

Question 31

Fixed-interval schedule

Answer 31

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

Question 32

Variable-interval schedule

Answer 32

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

Question 33

respondent behavior

Answer 33

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Question 34

operant behavior

Answer 34

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences.

Question 35

cognitive map

Answer 35

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 out of it.

Question 36

latent learning

Answer 36

learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.

Question 37

intrinsic motivation

Answer 37

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake.

Question 38

extrinsic motivation

Answer 38

a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment.

Question 39

observational learning

Answer 39

learning by observing others.

Question 40

modeling

Answer 40

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Question 41

mirror neurons

Answer 41

frontal lobe neurons that some scientist 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.

Question 42

punishment

Answer 42

an event that tends to decrease the behavior it follows.

Question 43

prosocial behavior

Answer 43

positive constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial.