Psych 8 – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
Long-term potentiation
answer
the increased efficiency of synaptic transmission between certain neurons following learning.
question
According to research by Peterson and Peterson (1959), meaningless information such as random groups of letters is maintained in short-term memory only briefly unless it is
answer
actively processed through rehearsal.
question
retrieval
answer
The process of getting information out of memory (in order to use it) is called
question
Which area of the brain is most important in the processing of implicit memories?
answer
cerebellum
question
"Procedural memory" for skills such as tying your shoes, riding a bike, or typing on a keyboard is called
answer
implicit memory
question
The three stages in the information-processing model of memory proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin are
answer
sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory
question
During her psychology test, Marsha could not remember the meaning of the term "proactive interference." Surprisingly, however, she accurately remembered that the term appeared on the fourth line of a left-hand page in her textbook. Her memory of this incidental information is best explained in terms of:
answer
automatic processing.
question
Very stressful events or emotionally significant experiences seem to trigger high levels of activity in the ________ and often produce unusually strong and detailed memories called ________ memories.
answer
amygdala; flashbulb
question
The average capacity of short-term memory (working memory) is ________ items of unrelated information.
answer
7
question
Which of the following has been proposed as a neurophysiological explanation of "infantile amnesia"?
answer
The slow maturation of the hippocampus leaves the infant's brain unable to store events for explicit recall later in life.
question
If a person is knocked unconscious, or experiences a strong electrical current passing through the brain, that person will not remember anything about the events that occurred during the preceding 10-20 minutes. The best explanation for this memory loss (called "retrograde amnesia") is that the traumatic event
answer
wiped the information from working memory before it could be consolidated into long-term memory.
question
Memory for a personally experienced event (such as your first day at Hope College) was processed in your ________ and stored in your ________ memory subsystem.
answer
hippocampus; explicit
question
Studies by Loftus and Palmer, in which people were quizzed about a film of an accident, indicate that
answer
people's recall may easily be affected by misleading information.
question
Recalling something that you had once merely imagined happening as something you had directly experienced best illustrates
answer
source amnesia
question
Repression (as proposed by Sigmund Freud) is an example o
answer
motivated forgetting
question
Which of the following best describes the typical forgetting curve?
answer
A rapid initial decline in retention followed by a very slow decline
question
Although interference from previously-learned information can hinder our ability to remember newly-learned information, in some cases the opposite is true. Having learned Latin in high school makes it easier to learn French in college. This memory enhancement is called
answer
positive transfer
question
Most Americans handle pennies every day, yet can't recall the details about the appearance of a penny. This is most likely due to
answer
encoding failure
question
Memories of childhood abuse that have been "recovered" during hypnosis or dream analysis may prove inaccurate--especially if the therapist asks leading questions--because of
answer
memory construction
question
Walking through the halls of his high school 10 years after graduation, Tom experienced a flood of old memories. Tom's experience showed the role of
answer
priming based on context
question
The tendency to immediately recall the first and last items in a list better than the middle items is known as the ________ effect.
answer
serial position
question
The "tip-of-the-tongue" phenomenon (where we are sure that we know the information, but can't seem to recall it) is an example of
answer
retrivail failure
question
Anterograde amnesia (the memory problem suffered by patient "H. M.") is the inability to
answer
for new memories
question
When Carlos was promoted, he moved into a new office with a new phone extension. Every time he is asked for his phone number, Carlos first thinks of his old extension, illustrating the effects of
answer
proactive interference
question
After a frustrating day of work, Susan came home mildly depressed. That evening, she could think of nothing positive in her life. This is best explained as an example of
answer
mood-congruent memory
question
n a study on context cues, scuba divers learned words while on land or when they were underwater. In a later test of recall, those with the best retention had
answer
learned words better when they were in the same context
question
Phonemes are the basic units of ________ in language
answer
sound
question
Which of the following is NOT true of babbling?
answer
imitating adults
question
The form of aphasia involving the loss of the ability to comprehend spoken language is typically caused by damage to
answer
wernickes area
question
Consumers respond more positively to an ad for ground beef if the beef is described as "75 percent lean" than if it is described as having "25 percent fat" content. This is an example of
answer
framing effect
question
Which of the following statements is NOT supported by research on language development?
answer
a. Childhood represents a "sensitive period" for learning a second language. b. Early childhood represents a "critical period" for learning a first language. c. The age of the person makes no difference in learning a second language. Correct d. The older a person is, the more difficult it will be to learn a second language
question
Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to
answer
look for information that is consistent with one's beliefs.
question
The strong form of Benjamin Whorf's "linguistic determinism" hypothesis is challenged by the fact that
answer
we can think about events and objects for which our language has no words.
question
When forming a concept, people often develop a best example, or ________, of a category.
answer
prototype
question
Which of the following best describes Chomsky's view of language development?
answer
Humans have a biological predisposition to acquire language
question
Receptive language involves ________, while productive (or expressive) language involves ________.
answer
understanding; speaking
question
Mental set is an example of an obstacle to problem solving known as
answer
fixation
question
Airline reservations typically decline after a highly publicized airplane crash because people overestimate the incidence of such disasters. In such instances, people's decisions are being influenced by
answer
the availability heuristic
question
When a conditioned stimulus is presented without an accompanying unconditioned stimulus, ________ will soon take place.
answer
extinction
question
Last evening May-ling ate her first cheeseburger and french fries at an American fast-food restaurant. A few hours later she became ill. It can be expected that
answer
May-ling will develop an aversion to the taste of a cheeseburger and french fries
question
Jack finally takes out the garbage in order to get his father to stop pestering him. Jack's behavior is being conditioned by
answer
negative reinforcement
question
Researchers condition a flatworm to contract when exposed to light by repeatedly pairing the light with electric shock. The electric shock is a/an
answer
unconditioned stimulus
question
In order to obtain a reward a monkey learns to press a lever when a 1000-Hz tone is on but not when a 1200-Hz tone is on. What kind of training is this?
answer
discrimination
question
The type of learning associated with Skinner is
answer
operant conditioning
question
Through direct experience with animals, we come to anticipate that dogs will bark and that birds will chirp. This best illustrates
answer
assocative learning
question
Long after her conditioned fear of dogs had been extinguished, Marcy experienced an unexpected surge of nervousness when first shown her cousin's new cocker spaniel. Her unexpected nervousness best illustrates
answer
spontaneous recovery
question
Your psychology instructor has scheduled an exam every third week of the term. You will probably study the most just before an exam and the least just after an exam. This pattern of behavior is likely because the schedule of exams is reinforcing studying according to a ________ schedule.
answer
fixed interval
question
n Pavlov's original experiment with dogs, salivation to meat was the
answer
UR
question
As a child, you were playing in the yard one day when a neighbor's cat wandered over. Your mother (who has a terrible fear of animals) screamed and snatched you into her arms. Her behavior caused you to cry. You now have a fear of cats. Identify the CS.
answer
the cat
question
In Watson and Rayner's experiment with "Little Albert", the loud noise was the ________ and the white rat was the ________.
answer
US;CS
question
An empathic husband who observes his wife in pain will exhibit some of the brain activity she is showing. This best illustrates the functioning of
answer
mirror neurons
question
Rewarding a child for good behavior by giving the child delicious food would be ________, whereas giving the child money would be ________.
answer
primary reinforcement; secondary or conditioned reinforcement
question
associative learning
answer
learning that certain events occur together. can be two stimuli like classical conditioning or a response and a consequence in operant conditioning
question
stimulis
answer
any event or situation the evokes a respones
question
classical conditioning
answer
A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events
question
respondent behavior
answer
Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus
question
neutral stimulus
answer
a stimulus that does not initially elicit a response in classical conditioning
question
unconditioned response
answer
In classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth.
question
unconditioned stimulus
answer
A stimulus that evokes an unconditioned response without previous conditioning in classical conditioning
question
conditioned response
answer
In classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS).
question
conditioned stimulus
answer
In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response
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 a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus through association with an already established conditioned stimulus.
question
extinction
answer
A procedure in which the reinforcement of a previously reinforced behavior is discontinued. Also may be used to describe the "process" by which a previously learned behavior disappears as a result of non-reinforcement.
question
spontaneous recovery
answer
Recurrence of an extinguished conditioned response, usually following a rest period
question
generalization
answer
once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus 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.(skinner)
question
law of effect
answer
(psychology) the principle that behaviors are selected by their consequences
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
positive reinforcement
answer
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
negative reinforcement
answer
Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.)
question
primary reinforcer
answer
An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
question
secondary reinforcer
answer
Any neutral stimulus that initially has no intrinsic value for an organism but that becomes rewarding when linked with a primary reinforcer
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
punishment
answer
An event that decreases the behavior that it follows.
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 for its own sake
question
extrinsic motivation
answer
A desire to perform a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment
question
recall
answer
A measure of memory in which the person must retrieve information learned earlier, as on a fill-in-the-blank test.
question
recognition
answer
A measure of memory in which the person need only identify items previously learned, as on a multiple-choice test
question
relearning
answer
A memory measure that assesses the amount of time saved when learning material for a second time
question
encoding
answer
the processing of information into the memory system
question
storage
answer
the retention of encoded info over time
question
sensory memory
answer
the immediate very brief recording of info in the memory system
question
short term memory
answer
Actived memory that hold a few items briefly. - Duration 20 to 30 seconds - Capacity - 7 items
question
long term memory
answer
the relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system (knowledge, skills and experience)
question
working memory
answer
A newer understanding of short-term memory that involves conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory.
question
explicit memory
answer
Memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare"
question
automatic processing
answer
unconscious encoding of incidental information, such as space, time, and frequency, and of well-learned information, such as word meanings
question
implicit memory
answer
Retention independent of conscious recollection. "non declarative like riding bike or walking
question
iconic memory
answer
A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second
question
echoic memory
answer
A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds
question
priming
answer
Activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one's perception, memory, or response
question
mood congruent memory
answer
the tendency to recall experiences that are consistent with one's current good or bad mood
question
serial position effect
answer
Our tendency to recall best the last and first items in a list
question
retrograde amnesia
answer
An inability to retrieve information from one's past.
question
repression
answer
In psychoanalytic theory, the basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness.
question
heuristic
answer
A simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently; usually speedier but also more error-prone than algorithms.
question
insight
answer
A sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem; it contrasts with strategy-based solutions.
question
confirmation bias
answer
A tendency to search for information that confirms one's preconceptions
question
mental set
answer
a tendency to approach a problem in a particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past
question
intuition
answer
An effortless, immediate, automatic feeling or thought, as contrasted with explicit, conscious reasoning
question
morpheme
answer
In a language, the smallest unit that carries meaning; may be a word or a part of a word (such as a prefix)
question
aphasia
answer
Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding)
question
brocas area
answer
controls language expression-area of the frontal lobe in left hemisphere that directs muscle movements invloved in speech
question
wernickes area
answer
Contorls language reception. Damage creates inability to comprehend language; usually in the left temporal lobe
question
linguistic determination
answer
Whorf's hypothesis that language determines the way we think
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New