Learning and Development Quiz

Behavioral Perspective

The psychological approach that focuses on observable behavior and how it is learned through conditioning.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning.

Associative Learning

Learning that occurs when a connection is made between events or between actions and consequences.

Habituation (Non-Associative Learning)

A decrease in response after repeated exposure to a stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a naturally occurring stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with the UCS, triggers a response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

A natural, automatic response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning when an association between stimuli or behaviors is first formed.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Extinction

The weakening of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a rest period.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.

Counterconditioning

Learning a new response to replace an old response to a stimulus.

Taste Aversion

A learned avoidance of a food after becoming sick from it.

Higher-Order Conditioning

A procedure where a conditioned stimulus becomes associated with a new neutral stimulus.

One-Trial Conditioning

Learning that occurs after only one pairing of a stimulus and response.

Reinforcement

Any event that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Biological Preparedness

The idea that organisms are genetically predisposed to learn certain associations more easily.

Operant Conditioning

Learning based on the consequences of behavior.

The Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to be repeated.

Secondary Reinforcers

Conditioned reinforcers that gain value through association with primary reinforcers.

Reinforcement Discrimination

The ability to distinguish which behaviors will be reinforced.

Primary Reinforcers

Reinforcers that satisfy basic biological needs.

Reinforcement Generalization

The tendency for similar behaviors to be reinforced.

Positive Punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Punishment

Any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior.

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior.

Instinctive Drift

The tendency to revert to instinctive behaviors during conditioning.

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Superstitious Behavior

Behaviors that occur because they are mistakenly associated with reinforcement.

Fixed Interval

A reinforcement schedule where the first response after a set time is reinforced.

Reinforcement Schedule

A pattern that defines how often a behavior is reinforced.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcing a behavior only some of the time.

Fixed Ratio

Reinforcement is given after a set number of behaviors (e.g., 5 chores for $10).

Variable Ratio

A reinforcement schedule where reinforcement occurs after an unpredictable number of responses.

Variable Interval

reinforces after an unpredictable amount of time, causing moderate, steady rates (like checking email/social media)

Learned Helplessness

The belief that one has no control over outcomes after repeated failure.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is not immediately demonstrated.