question

Learning

answer

The process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors

question

Associative Learning

answer

Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequences (as in operant conditioning)

question

Stimulus

answer

Any event or situation that evokes a response

question

Cognitive Learning

answer

The acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language

question

Classical Conditioning

answer

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events

question

Behviorism

answer

The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most agree with (1) but not with (2)

question

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

answer

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

question

Unconditioned Response (UR)

answer

In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditioned stimulus (US) (such as food in the mouth)

question

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

answer

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

question

Conditioned Response (CR)

answer

In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS)

question

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

answer

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

question

Acquisition

answer

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

Higher-Order Conditioning

answer

A procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus. For example, an animal that has learned that a tone predicts food might then learn that a light predicts the tone and begin responding to the light alone (also called second-order conditioning)

question

Extinction

answer

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

question

Spontaneous Recovery

answer

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response

question

Generalization

answer

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

question

Discrimination

answer

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus

question

Operant Conditioning

answer

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

question

Law of Effect

answer

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

question

Operant Chamber

answer

In operant conditioning research, 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; attached devices record the animal's rate of bar pressing or key pecking

question

Reinforcement

answer

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

question

Shaping

answer

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

question

Negative Reinforcement

answer

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response (it is NOT punishment)

question

Primary Reinforcer

answer

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

question

Conditioned Reinforcer

answer

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

question

Reinforcement Schedule

answer

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

question

Continuous Reinforcement

answer

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

question

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

answer

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

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

answer

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

question

Variable-Ratio Schedule

answer

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

question

Fixed-Interval Schedule

answer

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

question

Variable-Interval Schedule

answer

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

question

Respondent Behavior

answer

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

question

Operant Behavior

answer

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

question

Cognitive Map

answer

A 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

Latent Learning

answer

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

question

Intrinsic Motivation

answer

A desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

question

Extrinsic Motivation

answer

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

question

Observational Learning

answer

Learning by observing others

question

Modeling

answer

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

question

Mirror Neurons

answer

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

Prosocial Behavior

answer

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior

PSY 202 Chapter 7: Learning – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards