Learning & Behavior

Question 1

Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

Associating automatic/involuntary responses with conditioned stimuli via unconditioned stimuli

Question 2

Timing of Classical Conditioning

Answer 2

CS/NS must come before US & closely in time

Question 3

Delay Conditioning

Answer 3

CS precedes US by short time interval & with overlap
Standard pairing paradigm

Question 4

Trace Conditioning

Answer 4

CS precedes US by a time gap; no overlap
Slower learning process

Question 5

Temporal Conditioning

Answer 5

US is presented at the same time/at consistent time interval; time becomes the CS

Question 6

Simultaneous Conditioning

Answer 6

NS is presented at the same time as US & completely overlap
Learning does not occur

Question 7

Backward Conditioning

Answer 7

US is presented before NS
Learning does not occur

Question 8

Stimulus Generalization

Answer 8

Qualities of CS are generalized to a similar NS to produce the same CR
Occurs automatically
AKA ‘mediated generalization’

Question 9

Higher-Order Conditioning

Answer 9

CS is intentionally paired with another NS to elicit the same CR
Cannot exceed third-order conditioning

Question 10

Classical Extinction

Answer 10

CS is no longer paired with US & eventually CR will no longer occur

Question 11

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 11

Brief recovery of CR when presented with CS after a break from extinction trials

Question 12

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 12

Ability to differentiate between CS & similar NS due to pairing with US
(CR only to CS & not similar NS)

Question 13

Pseudoconditioning

Answer 13

NS is unintentionally paired with CS to elicit CR (like accidental higher-order conditioning)

Question 14

Habituation

Answer 14

Less responsivity to a repeated US so that it no longer elicits UR

Question 15

Counterconditioning

Answer 15

Done intentionally to eliminate undesirable UR
Via reciprocal inhibition > when presented with US, pair UR with incompatible CR

Question 16

Mowrer’s two-factor learning theory

Answer 16

Combo of classical & operant conditioning
NS/CS paired with US that produces an anxiety-UR > new CS/CR pair
The anxiety is aversive, so any behavior that relieves the anxiety is negatively reinforced

Question 17

Systematic Desensitization

Answer 17

Counterconditioning to reduce anxiety via extinction
Anxiety is the UR & relaxation techniques are the CR paired with the US

Question 18

Operant Conditioning

Answer 18

AKA Skinnerian, instrumental conditioning
Learning of voluntary behavior via rewards & punishment

Question 19

Thorndike’s Law of Effect

Answer 19

Natural consequences
Behavior that produces pleasurable consequences will occur more frequently; if produces aversive consequences, will occur less frequently

Question 20

Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Answer 20

R always increases behavior, whereas punishment decreases behavior

Question 21

Positive Reinforcement (R+)

Answer 21

Reward
Addition of something valuable to increase behavior

Question 22

Negative Reinforcement (R-)

Answer 22

Relief
Removal of something aversive to increase behavior

Question 23

Positive Punishment (P+)

Answer 23

Pain
Addition of something aversive to decrease behavior

Question 23

Negative Punishment (P-)

Answer 23

Loss
Removal of something valuable to decrease behavior

Question 24

Response cost

Answer 24

P- Removal/loss of a "token", which is used to access something valuable, in order to decrease behavior

Question 25

Acquisition phase

Answer 25

Operant conditioning Phase of new learning

Question 25

Extinction phase

Answer 25

Operant conditioning Reinforcement is withheld and behavior decreases

Question 26

Operant strength

Answer 26

Strength of target/learned behavior Depends on rate of responding during acquisition & extinction trials Influenced by schedule of reinforcement

Question 27

Fixed interval schedule

Answer 27

R after specified time interval Response rate low during interval & increases toward end of interval

Question 28

Variable interval schedule

Answer 28

R after unpredictable time interval Response rate is low-moderate

Question 29

Fixed ratio schedule

Answer 29

R occurs after specified number of responses Response rate is moderate-high

Question 30

Variable ratio schedule

Answer 30

R occurs after unknown number of responses Response rate is high

Question 31

Satiation

Answer 31

Loss of value of the R due to overuse

Question 32

Thinning

Answer 32

Transition from continuous to intermittent AND Gradual increase in number of responses/time interval

Question 33

Operant extinction

Answer 33

Withholding R to decrease behavior (P-)

Question 34

Extinction burst

Answer 34

A brief increase in behavior during extinction trials

Question 35

Superstitious behavior

Answer 35

Results from random/non-contingent R The individual will repeatedly perform behavior that occurred before R

Question 36

Discrimination learning

Answer 36

Stimulus control Ability to discern between stimuli that signal whether R is available

Question 37

Discriminative stimulus

Answer 37

SD Signals that R *will* take place

Question 38

S delta

Answer 38

Signals that R *will not* take place

Question 39

Response generalization

Answer 39

Performing similar behaviors in the presence of SD to earn R