Chapter 6

Question 1

non-associative learning

Answer 1

A learned change in behaviour to a novel stimulus after repeated or continuous exposure to that stimulus.

Question 2

habituation

Answer 2

A decrease in the response to a repeated or prolonged stimulus over time.

Question 3

associative learning

Answer 3

Learning that occurs when an organism makes a connection, or an association, between two stimuli or events.

Question 4

observational learning

Answer 4

Learning that occurs through observing and imitating another’s behaviour.

Question 5

What is sensitization

Answer 5

Increase in the response to a repeated or prolonged stimulus

Question 6

classical conditioning

Answer 6

Learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an innately meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response.

Question 7

unconditioned stimulus (US)

Answer 7

A stimulus that produces a response without prior learning.

Question 8

unconditioned response (UR)

Answer 8

An unlearned reaction that is automatically elicited by the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 9

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Answer 9

A previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits a conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 10

conditioned response (CR)

Answer 10

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus that occurs after conditioned stimulus–unconditioned stimulus pairing.

Question 11

acquisition

Answer 11

The initial learning of the connection between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus when these two stimuli are paired.

Question 12

generalization (in classical conditioning)

Answer 12

The tendency of a new stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response that is similar to the conditioned response.

Question 13

discrimination (in classical conditioning)

Answer 13

The process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not others.

Question 14

extinction (in classical conditioning)

Answer 14

The weakening of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is absent.

Question 15

spontaneous recovery

Answer 15

The process in classical conditioning by which an extinguished conditioned response can recur after a time delay, without further conditioning.

Question 16

renewal

Answer 16

The recovery of the conditioned response when the organism is placed in a novel context.

Question 17

operant conditioning, or instrumental conditioning

Answer 17

A form of associative learning in which the consequences of a behaviour change the probability of the behaviour’s occurrence.

Question 18

law of effect

Answer 18

Thorndike’s law stating that behaviours followed by positive outcomes are strengthened and that behaviours followed by negative outcomes are weakened.

Question 19

shaping

Answer 19

Rewarding successive approximations of a desired behaviour.

Question 20

reinforcement

Answer 20

The process by which a stimulus or event (a reinforcer) following a particular behaviour increases the probability that the behaviour will happen again.

Question 21

positive reinforcement

Answer 21

The presentation of a stimulus following a given behaviour in order to increase the frequency of that behaviour.

Question 22

negative reinforcement

Answer 22

The removal of a stimulus following a given behaviour in order to increase the frequency of that behaviour.

Question 23

avoidance learning

Answer 23

An organism’s learning that it can altogether avoid a negative stimulus by making a particular response.

Question 24

learned helplessness

Answer 24

An organism’s learning through experience with negative stimuli that it has no control over negative outcomes.

Question 25

primary reinforcer

Answer 25

A reinforcer that is innately satisfying; a primary reinforcer does not require any learning on the organism’s part to make it pleasurable.

Question 26

secondary reinforcer

Answer 26

A reinforcer that acquires its positive value through an organism’s experience; a secondary reinforcer is a learned or conditioned reinforcer.

Question 27

generalization (in operant conditioning)

Answer 27

Performing a reinforced behaviour in a different situation.

Question 28

latent learning or implicit learning

Answer 28

Unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behaviour.

Question 29

insight learning

Answer 29

A form of problem solving in which the organism develops a sudden insight into or understanding of a problem’s solution.

Question 30

instinctive drift

Answer 30

The tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behaviour that interferes with learning.

Question 31

Peoples mindsets range from

Answer 31

Fixed to growth

Question 32

Results of exposure to uncontrolled negative events

Answer 32

Learned helplessness: Learns through experience that outcomes are not controllable

Question 33

Positive punishment

Answer 33

A behaviour decreases when followed by an unwanted stimulus

Question 34

Negative punishment

Answer 34

A behaviour decreases when a stimulus that is wanted is removed

Question 35

counterconditioning

Answer 35

A classical conditioning procedure that involves the conditioning of an undesired response to a stimulus into a desired response.

Question 36

aversive conditioning

Answer 36

A form of treatment that consists of repeated pairings of a stimulus with a very unpleasant stimulus

Question 37

schedules of reinforcement

Answer 37

Specific patterns that determine when a behaviour will be reinforced.