Chapter 7-David Myers 9Th Edition

Front 1

Define learning

Back 1

A relatively permanent change in an organism's behavior due to experience.

Front 2

Define associative learning

Back 2

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).

Front 3

Define classical conditioning

Back 3

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

Front 4

Define behaviorism

Back 4

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

Front 5

Define a unconditioned response (UR)

Back 5

In classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus, such as salivation when food is in the mouth.

Front 6

Define a unconditioned stimulus (US)

Back 6

In classical conditioning, as stimulus that unconditionally-naturally and automatically-triggers a response.

Front 7

Define a conditioned response (CR)

Back 7

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

Front 8

Define a conditioned stimulus (CS)

Back 8

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

Front 9

Define acquisition

Back 9

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.

Front 10

Define higher-order conditioning

Back 10

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.

Front 11

Define extinction

Back 11

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

Front 12

Define spontaneous recovery

Back 12

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

Front 13

Define generalization

Back 13

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

Front 14

Define discrimination

Back 14

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

Front 15

Define respondent behavior

Back 15

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus.

Front 16

Define operant conditioning

Back 16

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

Front 17

Define operant behavior

Back 17

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences.

Front 18

Define the law of effect

Back 18

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

Front 19

Define an operant chamber

Back 19

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.

Front 20

Define shaping

Back 20

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

Front 21

Define continuous reinforcement

Back 21

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Front 22

Define partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Back 22

Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response by much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.

Front 23

Define a fixed-ratio schedule

Back 23

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

Front 24

Define a variable-ratio schedule

Back 24

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

Front 25

Define a fixed-interval schedule

Back 25

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

Front 26

Define a variable-ratio schedule

Back 26

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

Front 27

Define punishment

Back 27

AN event that decreases the behavior that it follows.

Front 28

Define a cognitive map

Back 28

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.

Front 29

Define latent learning

Back 29

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

Front 30

Define intrinsic motivation

Back 30

A desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake.

Front 31

Define extrinsic motivation

Back 31

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

Front 32

Define observational learning

Back 32

Learning by observing others.

Front 33

Define modeling

Back 33

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Front 34

Define mirror neurons

Back 34

frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain's mirroring of another's action may enable imitation and empathy.

Front 35

Define prosocial behavior

Back 35

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