Learning Test #4

Front 1

concept

Back 1

Any class (i.e., group, category) the members of which share one or more defining features.

Front 2

CS+

Back 2

In Pavlovian discrimination training, the stimulus that is regularly paired with a US.

Front 3

CS-

Back 3

In Pavlovian discrimination training, the stimulus that regularly appears in the absence of the US.

Front 4

differential outcomes effect

Back 4

The finding that discrimination training proceeds more rapidly when different behaviors produce different reinforcers. Abbreviated DOE.

Front 5

discrimination

Back 5

The tendency for a behavior to occur in the presence of certain stimuli, but not in their absence.

Front 6

errorless discrimination training

Back 6

A form of discrimination training in which the S– is introduced in very weak form and gradually strengthened. The usual result is that discrimination is achieved with few or no errors. Also called the Terrace procedure.

Front 7

excitatory gradient

Back 7

In Spence’s theory of generalization and discrimination, a generalization gradient showing an increased tendency to respond to the S+ or CS+ and stimuli resembling them.

Front 8

experimental neurosis

Back 8

Any bizarre or neurotic-like behavior induced through an experimental procedure such as discrimination training.

Front 9

generalization

Back 9

The tendency for a learned behavior to occur in the presence of stimuli that were not present during training.

Front 10

generalization gradient

Back 10

Any graphic representation of generalization data.

Front 11

inhibitory gradient

Back 11

In Spence’s theory of generalization and discrimination, a gradient showing a decreased tendency to respond to the S– or CS– and stimuli resembling them.

Front 12

matching to sample

Back 12

A discrimination training procedure in which the task is to select from two or more comparison stimuli the one that matches a sample. Abbreviated MTS.

Front 13

mismatching

Back 13

A variation of matching to sample in which reinforcement is available for selecting the comparison stimulus that is different from the sample. Also called oddity matching.

Front 14

peak shift

Back 14

The tendency following discrimination training for the peak of responding in a generalization gradient to shift away from the CS– or S–.

Front 15

S+

Back 15

A stimulus in the presence of which a behavior will be reinforced. Also called SD, pronounced ess-dee.

Front 16

semantic generalization

Back 16

Generalization based on an abstract (as opposed to a physical) property of a stimulus.

Front 17

simultaneous discrimination training

Back 17

A discrimination training procedure in which the S+ and S– are presented at the same time.

Front 18

stimulus control

Back 18

The tendency for a behavior to occur in the presence of an S+ but not in the presence of an S–.

Front 19

successive discrimination training

Back 19

A discrimination training procedure in which the S+ and S– are presented one after the other in random sequence.

Front 20

S-

Back 20

A stimulus in the presence of which a behavior will not be reinforced. Also called S triangle, pronounced ess-delta.

Front 21

Attentional processes

Back 21

In Bandura’s theory of vicarious learning, any activity by an observer that aids in the observation of relevant aspects of a model’s behavior and its consequences.

Front 22

Generalized imitation

Back 22

The tendency to imitate modeled behavior even though the imitative behavior is not reinforced.

Front 23

Motivational processes

Back 23

In Bandura’s theory of vicarious learning, the expectation that a modeled behavior will be reinforced.

Front 24

Motor reproductive processes

Back 24

In Bandura’s theory of vicarious learning, the skills required to perform modeled behavior.

Front 25

Participant modeling

Back 25

A procedure in which a trainer first models a behavior and then assists the observer to perform it.

Front 26

Retentional processes

Back 26

In Bandura’s theory of vicarious learning, any activity by an observer that aids recall of modeled behavior.

Front 27

Vicarious learning

Back 27

Any procedure in which an organism learns by observing the behavior of another organism. Also called observational learning.

Front 28

Cue-dependent forgetting

Back 28

Forgetting that results from the absence of cues that were present during training.

Front 29

Delayed matching to sample

Back 29

A method of measuring forgetting in which the opportunity to match a sample follows a retention interval.

Front 30

Differential reinforcement of high rate

Back 30

A form of differential reinforcement in which a behavior is reinforced only if it occurs at least a specified number of times in a given period.

Front 31

Extinction method

Back 31

A method of measuring forgetting by comparing the rate of extinction after a retention interval with the rate of extinction immediately after training.

Front 32

Forgetting

Back 32

Deterioration in learned behavior following a period without practice.

Front 33

Free recall

Back 33

A method of measuring forgetting that consists of providing the opportunity to perform the learned behavior.

Front 34

Gradient degradation

Back 34

A method of measuring forgetting in which a behavior is tested for generalization before and after a retention interval. A flattening of the generalization gradient indicates forgetting.

Front 35

Method of loci

Back 35

A mnemonic system in which each item to be recalled is “placed” in a distinctive spot in an imagined scene, such as a walking path.

Front 36

Mnemonic system

Back 36

Any of several systems for aiding recall, including the method of loci and the peg word system.

Front 37

Overlearning

Back 37

The continuation of training beyond the point required to produce one errorless performance.

Front 38

Paired associate learning

Back 38

A learning task involving pairs of words or other stimuli in which the subject is presented with the first item of a pair and is expected to produce the second item.

Front 39

Peg word system

Back 39

A mnemonic system in which each of the first n integers is associated with a particular image (a “peg”), and each item to be recalled is “placed” on a peg.

Front 40

Prompted recall

Back 40

A method of measuring forgetting in which hints (prompts) about the behavior to be performed are provided. Also called cued recall.

Front 41

Recognition

Back 41

A method of measuring forgetting in which the subject is required to identify stimuli experienced earlier.

Front 42

Relearning method

Back 42

A method of measuring forgetting in which a behavior is learned to criterion before and after a retention interval. Also called the savings method.

Front 43

Reminiscence

Back 43

Improvement in performance following a retention interval.

Front 44

Retention interval

Back 44

The time between training and testing for forgetting.

Front 45

Retroactive interference

Back 45

Forgetting caused by learning that occurred subsequent to the behavior in question.

Front 46

State-dependent learning

Back 46

Learning that occurs during a particular physiological state (such as alcoholic intoxication) and is lost when that physiological state passes.

Front 47

Continuum of preparedness

Back 47

The idea that organisms are genetically disposed to learn some things and not others.

Front 48

Critical period

Back 48

A period in the development of an organism during which it is especially likely to learn a particular kind of behavior.

Front 49

Fixed action pattern

Back 49

Any largely inherited series of interrelated acts, usually elicited by a particular stimulus (the releaser). Formerly called instinct.

Front 50

Imprinting

Back 50

The tendency of some animals, particularly birds, to follow the first moving object they See after birth, usually (but not necessarily) their mother.

Front 51

Instinctive drift

Back 51

The tendency for behavior to “drift toward” a fixed action -pattern.

Front 52

Mnemonic

Back 52

Any technique for aiding recall.

Front 53

Sign tracking

Back 53

A procedure in which a stimulus is followed by a reinforcer regardless of what the organism does. The procedure often results in the “shaping” of behavior without reinforcement. Also called autoshaping.