Unit 4

Question 1

Define acquisition

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define associative learning

Answer 2

Learning that certain events occur together

Events may be 2 stimuli in classical conditioning or a response and its consequences in operant conditioning

Question 3

Define classical conditioning

Answer 3

Type of learning in which one learns to link 2 or more stimuli and anticipate events

Question 4

Define cognitive learning

Answer 4

Acquisition of mental information by observing events, watching others, or through language

Question 5

Define conditioned response

Answer 5

In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

Question 6

Define conditioned stimulus

Answer 6

In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response

Question 7

Define discrimination

Answer 7

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other similar stimuli

Question 8

Define extinction

Answer 8

The diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced

Question 9

Define generalization

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Define habituation

Answer 10

Decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation

As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner

Question 11

Define higher-order conditioning

Answer 11

A procedure in which the conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second, often weaker, conditioned stimulus

Animal that learned that a tone predicts food might then learn that a light predicts the tone and begin responding to the light alone

Question 12

Define learning

Answer 12

Process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors

Question 13

Define neutral stimulus

Answer 13

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning

Question 14

Define spontaneous recovery

Answer 14

The reappearance after a pause of an extinguished conditioned response

Question 15

Define stimulus

Answer 15

Any event or situation that evokes a response

Question 16

Define unconditioned response

Answer 16

In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus

Such as salivation to food in the mouth

Question 17

Define unconditioned stimulus

Answer 17

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally (naturally and automatically) triggers a response

Question 18

Define conditioned reinforcer AKA secondary reinforcer

Answer 18

Stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer

Question 19

Define continuous reinforcement

Answer 19

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Question 20

Define discriminative stimulus

Answer 20

In operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement

In contrast with stimuli not associated with reinforcement

Question 21

Define fixed-interval schedule

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Define fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 22

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specific number of responses

Question 23

Define law of effect

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Define negative reinforcement

Answer 24

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli

Negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed, strengthens that response

Question 25

Define operant chamber

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Define operant conditioning

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Define partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Answer 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

Question 28

Define positive reinforcement

Answer 28

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers Positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response

Question 29

Define primary reinforcer

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Define punishment

Answer 30

An event that tends to decrease the behavior it follows

Question 31

Define reinforcement schedule

Answer 31

A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

Question 32

Define reinforcement

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Define shaping

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Define variable-interval schedule

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Define variable-ratio schedule

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Define biofeedback

Answer 36

System that electronically recording, amplifying, and feeding back information regarding a subtle physiological state like blood pressure or muscle tension

Question 37

Define operant behavior

Answer 37

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Question 38

Define respondent behavior

Answer 38

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Question 39

Define cognitive map

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Define coping

Answer 40

Alleviating stress using emotional, cognitive, or behavioral methods

Question 41

Define emotion-focused coping

Answer 41

Attempting to alleviate stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor and attending to emotional needs related to one’s stress reaction

Question 42

Define external locus of control

Answer 42

The perception that chance or outside forces beyond our personal control determine our fate

Question 43

Define extrinsic motivation

Answer 43

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

Question 44

Define insight

Answer 44

A sudden realization of a problem’s solution; constraints with strategy-based solutions

Question 45

Define internal locus of control

Answer 45

The perception that you control your own fate

Question 46

Define intrinsic motivation

Answer 46

A desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

Question 47

Define latent learning

Answer 47

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

Question 48

Define learned helplessness

Answer 48

The hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events

Question 49

Problem-focused coping

Answer 49

Attempting to alleviate stress directly—by changing the stressor or the way we interact with that stressor

Question 50

Define self-control

Answer 50

The ability to control impulses and delay short-term gratification for greater long-term rewards

Question 51

Define mirror neurons

Answer 51

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

Question 52

Define modeling

Answer 52

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Question 53

Define observational learning AKA social learning

Answer 53

Learning by observing others

Question 54

Define prosocial behavior

Answer 54

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior Opposite of antisocial behavior