test 3

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

A systematic, relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience.

Question 2

Behaviorism

Answer 2

A theory of learning that focuses on observable behaviors.

Question 3

Associative learning

Answer 3

Learning that occurs when we make a connection, or an association, between two events.

Question 4

Conditioning

Answer 4

The process of learning associations.

Question 5

Classical conditioning

Answer 5

Learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an innately meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response.

Question 6

Observational learning

Answer 6

Learning that occurs through observing and imitating another’s behavior.

Question 7

UCS / US

Answer 7

Unconditioned stimulus; a stimulus that produces a response without prior learning.

Question 8

UCR / UR

Answer 8

Unconditioned response; An unlearned reaction that is automatically elicited by the UCS.

Question 9

NS

Answer 9

Neutral stimulus; A stimulus that does not (initially) trigger a response.

Question 10

CS

Answer 10

Conditioned stimulus; A previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits a conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 11

CR

Answer 11

Conditioned response; The learned response to the conditioned stimulus that occurs after CS-UCS pairing.

Question 12

Acquisition

Answer 12

The initial learning of the connection between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus when these two stimuli are paired.

Question 13

Contiguity

Answer 13

The CS and UCS are presented very close together in time.

Question 14

Contingency

Answer 14

The CS must not only precede the UCS closely in time, it must also serve as a reliable indicator that the UCS is on its way.

Question 15

Generalization (classical)

Answer 15

The tendency of a new stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response similar to the conditioned response.

Question 16

Discrimination (classical)

Answer 16

The process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not others.

Question 17

Extinction (classical)

Answer 17

The weakening of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is absent.

Question 18

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 18

The process by which a conditioned response can recur after a time delay, without further conditioning.

Question 19

Counterconditioning

Answer 19

A classical conditioning procedure for changing the relationship between a conditioned stimulus and its conditioned response.

Question 20

Aversive conditioning

Answer 20

A form of treatment that consists of repeated pairings of a stimulus with a very unpleasant stimulus.

Question 21

Taste aversion

Answer 21

A special kind of classical conditioning involving the learned association between a particular taste and nausea.

Question 22

Habituation

Answer 22

Decreased responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

Question 23

Operant Conditioning

Answer 23

A form of associative learning in which the consequences of a behavior change the probability of the behavior’s occurrence.

Question 24

Law of effect

Answer 24

Thorndike’s law that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened and that behaviors followed by negative outcomes are weakened.

Question 25

Shaping

Answer 25

Rewarding successive approximations of a desired behavior.

Question 26

Reinforcement

Answer 26

The process by which a stimulus or event (a reinforcer) following a particular behavior increases the probability that the behavior will happen again.

Question 27

Positive reinforcement

Answer 27

When the frequency of a behavior increases because it is followed by the presentation of something that increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Question 28

Negative reinforcement

Answer 28

When the frequency of a behavior increases because it is followed by the removal of something.

Question 29

Avoidance learning

Answer 29

When the organism learns that by making a particular response, a negative stimulus can be altogether avoided.

Question 30

Learned helplessness

Answer 30

When the organism, exposed to uncontrollable aversive stimuli, learns that it has no control over negative outcomes.

Question 31

Secondary reinforcer

Answer 31

A reinforcer that acquires its positive value through an organism's experience.

Question 32

Primary reinforcer

Answer 32

A reinforcer that is innately satisfying; one that does not take any learning on the organism's part to make it pleasurable.

Question 33

Generalization (operant)

Answer 33

Performing a reinforced behavior in a different situation.

Question 34

Discrimination (operant)

Answer 34

Responding appropriately to stimuli that signal that a behavior will or will not be reinforced.

Question 35

Extinction (operant)

Answer 35

When a behavior is no longer reinforced and decreases in frequency.

Question 36

Partial reinforcement

Answer 36

When a reinforcer follows a behavior only a portion of the time.

Question 37

Schedules of reinforcement

Answer 37

Specific patterns that determine when a behavior will be reinforced.

Question 38

Ratio schedules

Answer 38

Based on the number of behaviors that must be performed prior to the reward.

Question 39

Interval schedules

Answer 39

Based on the amount of time that must pass before a behavior is rewarded.

Question 40

Fixed schedule

Answer 40

When the number of behaviors or the amount of time is always the same.

Question 41

Variable schedule

Answer 41

When the required number of behaviors or amount of time changes and is unpredictable from the perspective of the learner.

Question 42

Punishment

Answer 42

A consequence that decreases the likelihood that a behavior will occur.

Question 43

Positive punishment

Answer 43

The presentation of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.

Question 44

Negative punishment

Answer 44

The removal of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.

Question 45

Applied behavior analysis

Answer 45

Also called behavior modification; The use of operant conditioning principles to change human behavior.

Question 46

Attention, retention, motor reproduction, and reinforcement

Answer 46

The four main processes in observational learning.

Question 47

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 47

Seeing a model attain a reward for an activity increases the chances that an observer will repeat that behavior.

Question 48

Vicarious punishment

Answer 48

Seeing a model punished for an activity decreases the chances that an observer will repeat that behavior.

Question 49

Latent learning

Answer 49

Unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behavior.

Question 50

Insight learning

Answer 50

A form of problem solving in which the organism develops a sudden insight into or understanding a problem's solution.

Question 51

Instinctive drift

Answer 51

The tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behavior that interferes with learning.

Question 52

Preparedness

Answer 52

The species-specific biological predisposition to learn in certain ways but not others.