Unit 6 Vocab

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

A relatively permanent change in organisms behavior due to experience

Question 2

Habituation

Answer 2

An organisms decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it

Question 3

Associative learning

Answer 3

Learning that certain events occur together. The events maybe to stimuli or a response and its consequences

Question 4

Classical conditioning

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Behaviorism

Answer 5

The view that psychology number one. Should be an objective science that number two. Studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologist today agree with number one but not with number two

Question 6

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Answer 6

In classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus, such as salvation whenfood is in the mouth

Question 7

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Answer 7

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally, naturally and automatically, triggers a response.

Question 8

Conditioned Response (CR)

Answer 8

In classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral but now condition stimulus

Question 9

Conditioned Stimulus

Answer 9

In classical conditioning, and originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response

Question 10

Acquisition

Answer 10

In classical conditioning, the initial stage, 11 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 11

Higher-order conditioning

Answer 11

The procedure in which the condition stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second, often weaker, condition stimulus. For example an animal that has learned today that a tone predicts food might then learned that a light predicts the tone and begin responding to the light alone.

Question 12

Extinction

Answer 12

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 13

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 13

The reappearance, after pause, of an extinguished conditioned response

Question 14

Generalization

Answer 14

The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses

Question 15

Discrimination

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Learned Helplessness

Answer 16

The hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events

Question 17

Respondent behavior

Answer 17

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Question 18

Operant conditioning

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Operant behavior

Answer 19

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Question 20

Law of effect

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Operant chamber

Answer 21

In operant conditioning research, a chamber, also known as a skinner box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animals rate of bar pressing or key pecking

Question 22

Shaping

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Discriminative Stimulus

Answer 23

In operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement

Question 24

Reinforcer

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Positive reinforcement

Answer 25

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after response, strengthens that response

Question 26

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 26

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after response, strengthens the response.

Question 27

Primary reinforcer

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Conditioned Reinforcer

Answer 28

A stimulus that games it’s reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer

Question 29

Continuous Reinforcement

Answer 29

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Question 30

Partial (intermittent) Reinforcement

Answer 30

Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results and slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement

Question 31

Fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Answer 32

In operant conditioning a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

Question 33

Fixed interval schedule

Answer 33

In operant conditioning a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed

Question 34

Variable interval schedule

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Punishment

Answer 35

And event that decreases the behavior that it follows

Question 36

Cognitive Map

Answer 36

A mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. For example, after exploring a maze, right act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it

Question 37

Latent learning

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Insight

Answer 38

A sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem

Question 39

Intrinsic motivation

Answer 39

A desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

Question 40

Extrinsic motivation

Answer 40

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

Question 41

Biofeedback

Answer 41

A system for electronically recording, amplifying, and feeling back information regarding a subtle physiological state, such as blood pressure or muscle tension

Question 42

Observational Learning

Answer 42

Learning by observing others.

Question 43

Modeling

Answer 43

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Question 44

Mirror Neurons

Answer 44

Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing others doing so. The brains mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy

Question 45

Pro social Behavior

Answer 45

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior