M 22

Question 1

Operant conditioning

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Respondent behavior

Answer 2

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus; Skinner’s term for behavior learned through classical conditioning

Question 3

Operant behavior

Answer 3

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Question 4

Associative learning

Answer 4

Learning that certain events (a response and its consequences in operant conditioning) occur together.

Question 5

Law of effect

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Operant chamber

Answer 6

A chamber also known as a Skinner Box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animals rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research

Question 7

Shaping

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Reinforcer

Answer 8

In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior that follows

Question 9

Positive reinforcement

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Negative reinforcement

Answer 10

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimuli that, when removed after a response, strengthens a response-NOT a punishment

Question 11

Primary reinforcer

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Conditionary reinforcer

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 13

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Question 14

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Variable-ratio schedule

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Fixed-interval schedule

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Variable-interval schedule

Answer 18

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response an unpredictable intervals

Question 19

Punishment

Answer 19

An event that decreases the behavior that follows

Question 20

Cognitive map

Answer 20

A mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. For ex, after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it

Question 21

Latent learning

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Intrinsic motivation

Answer 22

A desire to perform a behavior for its own sake

Question 23

Extrinsic motivation

Answer 23

A desire to perform a behavior due to promised reward or threat of punishment