Learning Psychology

Question 1

Classical Conditioning

Answer 1

The process by which a naturally occurring stimulus is paired with a stimulus in the environment, and as a result, the environmental stimulus eventually elicits the same response as the natural stimulus.

Question 2

Unconditioned Stimulus

Answer 2

A stimulus that already elicits a certain response without additional learning.

Question 3

Unconditioned Response

Answer 3

The response by an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 4

Conditioned Stimulus

Answer 4

An initially neutral stimulus that comes to elicit a conditioned response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 5

Conditioned Response

Answer 5

A response that is elicited by a conditioned stimulus.

Question 6

Extinction

Answer 6

The weakening and eventual disappearance of a learned response.

Question 7

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 7

The reappearance of a learned response after its apparent extinction.

Question 8

Higher-order Conditioning

Answer 8

Learning acquired by pairing a neutral stimulus with another stimulus previously conditioned.

Question 9

Stimulus Generalization

Answer 9

The tendency to respond to a stimulus that resembles one involved in the original conditioning.

Question 10

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 10

The tendency to respond differently to two or more similar stimuli.

Question 11

Operant Conditioning

Answer 11

A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Question 12

Primary Reinforcer

Answer 12

A stimulus that typically satisfys a biological need (food).

Question 13

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 13

When a stimuli is added which increases the desired behavior. (Give a child candy and they finish their homework).

Question 14

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 14

When a stimuli is taken away and the desired behavior increases. (Using ear plugs to reduce the noise of your partner snoring which leads to more sleep for you).

Question 15

Positive Punishment

Answer 15

When a stimuli is added and the behavior descreases. (Wearing bandaids on your fingers to stop chewing your nails).

Question 16

Negative Punishment

Answer 16

When a stimuli is removed and the behavior decreases. ( A child losing computer priviledges for swearing at his video games).

Question 17

Instrinsic Reinforcer

Answer 17

Reinforcers directly related to the activity being enforced.

Question 18

Extrinsic Reinforcer

Answer 18

Reinforcers not directly related to the activity being enforced.

Question 19

Instinctive Drift

Answer 19

The tendency to revert to unconscious and automatic behaviour that interferes with learned behaviour from operant conditioning.

Question 20

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule

Answer 20

Reinforcement is provided every single time after the desired behavior. (Vending Machines)

Question 21

Partial Reinforcement Schedule

Answer 21

Only reinforce the desired behavior occasionally rather than all the time.

Question 22

Fixed Schedule

Answer 22

When reinforcement is given to a desired response after specific (predictable) amount of time has passed. (A teacher giving weekly quizzes every Monday).

Question 23

Variable Interval Schedule

Answer 23

When the reinforcement is provided after a random (unpredictable) amount of time has passes and following a specific behavior being performed.
(A pigeon in Skinner’s box has to peck a bar in order to receive a food pellet. It is given a food pellet after varying time intervals ranging from 2-5 minutes).

Question 24

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Answer 24

This schedule reinforces behavior after a specified number of correct responses.
(A dressmaker being paid $500 after every 10 dresses they make).

Question 25

Variable Ratio Schedule

Answer 25

A schedule of reinforcement where a behavior is reinforced after a random number of responses. (A child being given a candy for every 3-10 pages of a book they read).