Chapter 7 Test

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 two stimuli or a response and its consequence

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 should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes.

Question 7

Neutral stimulus

Answer 7

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

Question 8

unconditioned response

Answer 8

in classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus

Question 9

Conditioned response

Answer 9

in classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

Question 10

Acquisition

Answer 10

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 11

Higher-order conditioning

Answer 11

a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second conditioned stimulus.

Question 12

Extinction

Answer 12

diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in a CC when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus. Occurs in OC when a response is no longer reinforced.

Question 13

spontaneous recovery

Answer 13

the reappearance, after a 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 CC, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 16

operant conditioning

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Law of effect

Answer 17

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

Question 18

operant chamber

Answer 18

(AKA Skinner Box) contains 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 pecking.

Question 19

Reinforcement

Answer 19

in OC, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

Question 20

positive reinforcement

Answer 20

any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response

Question 21

negative reinforcement

Answer 21

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response.

Question 22

Primary reinforcer

Answer 22

an innately reinforcing stimulus like food or drink

Question 23

conditioned reinforcer

Answer 23

a learned reinforcer that gets its reinforcing power through association with the primary reinforcer

Question 24

Fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 24

reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

Question 25

variable-ratio schedule

Answer 25

reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

Question 26

fixed-interval schedule

Answer 26

reinforces a response after a specified time has elapsed

Question 27

variable-interval schedule

Answer 27

reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals

Question 28

punishment

Answer 28

an event that tends to decrease the behavior it follows

Question 29

CC vs OC

Answer 29

CC: respondent behavior- behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus OC: operant behavior- behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Question 30

cognitive map

Answer 30

a mental representation of the layout of one's environment

Question 31

latent learning

Answer 31

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

Question 32

intrinsic motivation

Answer 32

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

Question 33

extrinsic motivation

Answer 33

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

Question 34

mirror neurons

Answer 34

frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so