Chapter 6: Learning

What are unlearned behaviors?

Behaviors that do not require teaching, such as birds building nests and dogs shaking off water.

What is a reflex?

A simple reaction to stimuli managed by basic parts of the nervous system.

What is the difference between reflexes and instincts?

Reflexes are simple reactions while instincts are complex behaviors involving the whole organism.

What is learning?

A long-lasting change in behavior due to experiences.

What is associative learning?

Learning to make connections between things that happen together.

What is classical conditioning?

Learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus.

What is operant conditioning?

Learning that occurs based on rewards or punishments.

What is observational learning?

Learning by watching and copying others.

Who is Ivan Pavlov?

A Russian scientist known for his work on classical conditioning.

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.

What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?

The natural reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

The learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus.

What happens during the acquisition phase?

The initial learning phase where a neutral stimulus starts to create a conditioned response.

What is extinction in classical conditioning?

The process when the connection between the conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus is broken.

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a pause.

What is stimulus discrimination?

Learning to respond differently to different stimuli.

What is stimulus generalization?

Responding similarly to different but similar stimuli.

Who is John B. Watson?

The founder of behaviorism, focusing on observable behavior.

What is the law of effect?

Behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated.

What is the Skinner box used for?

To study how animals learn through reinforcement.

How does reinforcement influence behavior?

Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

What are the two types of reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement (adding a pleasant stimulus) and negative reinforcement (removing an unpleasant stimulus).

What are the four types of reinforcement schedules?

Fixed interval, variable interval, fixed ratio, and variable ratio.

What is shaping in behavioral terms?

Teaching complex behaviors by rewarding successive approximations towards the desired behavior.

What is the main idea of B.F. Skinner's research?

Behavior is motivated by its consequences.

What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?

Classical conditioning focuses on reflexive responses to stimuli, while operant conditioning focuses on behavior influenced by consequences.

What is prosocial behavior?

Positive behavior that is modeled and encouraged by observing role models.

What is antisocial behavior?

Negative behaviors that can be learned through observation, such as aggression.

What role does media play in observational learning?

Exposure to violent media can lead to increased aggression in children.

What is Bandura’s Social Learning Theory?

Learning involves more than imitation; it includes thinking about what we observe.

What are mirror neurons?

Neurons involved in imitation that help us learn from observing others.

What are the steps in the modeling process?

Attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.

What is a live model in observational learning?

Someone who demonstrates a behavior in person.

What is a verbal model?

Someone who gives instructions without physically demonstrating the behavior.

What is a symbolic model?

Characters from media that demonstrate behaviors that can be copied.

What is the significance of cognitive maps in learning?

Building a mental map to understand and navigate familiar places.

What is the impact of time-out as a behavioral technique?

A method of negative punishment that decreases misbehavior by removing a child from preferred activities.

What are the three processes involved in associative learning?

Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.

What does spontaneous recovery indicate about learning?

It shows that learned behaviors can return after a break, even if they were thought to be extinguished.

What is the difference between positive and negative punishment?

Positive punishment involves adding an unpleasant stimulus, while negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus.

What is an example of higher-order conditioning?

Using a conditioned stimulus (like a can opener) to create an association with a new neutral stimulus.

What is taste aversion?

The association made between a specific food and illness, leading to a dislike of that food in the future.

How does reinforcement affect behavior frequency?

Reinforcement increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated.

What is a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule?

A reward given after a set number of responses.

What is a variable interval reinforcement schedule?

A reward given at unpredictable times.

How do parents use behavior modification techniques?

Through tools like sticker charts to encourage desirable behaviors.

What does it mean to model behavior?

To exhibit behavior that can be observed and imitated by others.

What is the role of motivation in the modeling process?

It determines the likelihood that someone will imitate the observed behavior based on observed consequences.

What factors influence observational learning?

The characteristics of the model, the behavior, and the observed consequences.

What can lead to antisocial behavior in children?

Repeated exposure to negative behaviors observed in parents or media.

What creates a conditioned response in classical conditioning?

The association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

What are the main components of classical conditioning?

Unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, and conditioned response.

What is B.F. Skinner known for?

His research on operant conditioning and the development of the Skinner box.

What is the definition of observational learning?

Learning that occurs by observing and imitating others.

What is an example of an unlearned behavior in infants?

Suckling for nourishment.

What is the role of mirror neurons in learning?

They are responsible for imitating and understanding the actions of others.

How does associative learning connect behavior with the environment?

By creating new associations based on experiences that occur together.

What does the term 'behaviorism' refer to?

A branch of psychology that focuses on observable behavior and the learning processes.

What is the method that Skinner used to study operant conditioning?

Experiments with animals in a controlled environment, such as a Skinner box.

What role do advertisements play in conditioning?

They use classical conditioning principles to associate products with positive feelings.

What does extinction demonstrate in classical conditioning?

It shows that a conditioned response can fade when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

How do stimuli discrimination and generalization differ?

Discrimination involves distinguishing between stimuli, while generalization involves responding similarly to similar stimuli.

What is the ultimate goal of reinforcement?

To increase the likelihood of a desirable behavior occurring again.

What does shaping utilize in behavior modification?

It rewards gradual steps that lead toward a target behavior.

How can observational learning have both positive and negative impacts?

It can encourage pro-social behaviors while also enabling antisocial behaviors.