Chapter 7 Vocab-Learning

Question 1

a relatively permanent change in an organism’s behavior due to experience

Answer 1

learning

Question 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)

Answer 2

associative learning

Question 3

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

Answer 3

classical conditioning

Question 4

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)

Answer 4

behaviorism

Question 5

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

Answer 5

unconditioned response (UR)

Question 6

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally-naturally and automatically-triggers a response

Answer 6

unconditioned stimulus (US)

Question 7

in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditoned) stimulus (CS)

Answer 7

conditioned response (CR)

Question 8

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

Answer 8

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Question 9

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

Answer 9

acquisition

Question 10

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

Answer 10

higher-order conditioning

Question 11

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

Answer 11

extinction

Question 12

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

Answer 12

spontanuous recovery

Question 13

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

Answer 13

generalization

Question 14

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

Answer 14

discrimination

Question 15

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Answer 15

respondent behavior

Question 16

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

Answer 16

operant conditioning

Question 17

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Answer 17

operant behavior

Question 18

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

Answer 18

law of effect

Question 19

in operant conditioning research, a chamber (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 pecking

Answer 19

operant chamber

Question 20

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

Answer 20

shaping

Question 21

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

Answer 21

reinforcer

Question 22

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

Answer 22

positive reinforcement

Question 23

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

Answer 23

negative reinforcement

Question 24

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

Answer 24

primary reinforcer

Question 25

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

Answer 25

conditioned reinforcer

Question 26

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Answer 26

continuous reinforcement

Question 27

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

Answer 27

partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Question 28

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

Answer 28

fixed-ratio schedule

Question 29

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

Answer 29

variable-ratio schedule

Question 30

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

Answer 30

fixed-interval schedule

Question 31

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

Answer 31

variable-interval schedule

Question 32

an event that decreases the behavior that it follows

Answer 32

punishment

Question 33

a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. (Maze Runner)

Answer 33

cognitive maps

Question 34

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

Answer 34

latent learning

Question 35

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

Answer 35

intrinsic motivation

Question 36

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

Answer 36

extrinsic motivation

Question 37

learning by observing others

Answer 37

observational learning

Question 38

the process of observing and imitating a sepcific behavior

Answer 38

modeling

Question 39

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

Answer 39

mirror neurons

Question 40

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

Answer 40

prosocial behavior