3.7-3.9 MCQ Assessment

behavioral perspective

explains behavior through conditioning

classical conditioning

a type of learning linked to 2 or more stimuli — learning to expect and prepare for significant events

acquisition

the initial stage — when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response

unconditioned stimulus

a stimulus that unconditionally (naturally & automatically) triggers an unconditional response

unconditioned response

an unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus

conditioned stimulus

an originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response

conditioned response

a learned response to a previously neutral (now conditioned) stimulus

extinction

the diminishing of a conditioned response when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus

spontaneous recovery

the reappearance, after a pause, of a weakened conditional response

stimulus discrimination

the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that have not been associated with a conditioned stimulus

generalization

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

higher-order conditioning

a process in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus (aka second-order conditioning)

counterconditioning

conditioning someone to change their response from fear to excitement or excitement to fear

taste aversion

a learned association between the taste of a particular food and illness such that the food is considered to be the cause of the illness

biological preparedness

the idea that people and animals are inherently inclined to form associations between certain stimuli and responses

one-trial learning

learning takes place in a single pairing of a response and stimulus and is not strengthened over time by repeated exposure to a stimulus

habituation

decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation

operant conditioning

a type of learning in which a behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcer or less likely to recur if followed by a punisher

law of effect

thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable (or reinforcing) consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable (or punishing) consequences become less likely

positive reinforcement

increasing behaviors by presenting a pleasurable stimulus — any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response

negative reinforcement

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing an aversive stimulus — any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response

positive punishment

administers an aversive stimulus

negative punishment

withdraws a rewarding stimulus

primary reinforcer

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need

secondary reinforcer

a stimulus that reinforces a behavior after it has been associated with a primary reinforcer

shaping

a procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

instinctive drift

the tendency of an animal to revert to instinctive behaviors that interfere with a conditioned response

superstitious behavior

the behavior that results from accidental reinforcement of an action so that the organism continues to repeat it

learned helplessness

a psychological condition where an individual feels powerless to change their situation due to repeated failures or negative outcomes in the past

continuous reinforcement

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

partial reinforcement

reinforcing a response only part of the time — results in slower acquisition of a response but a much greater resistance to extinction than continuous reinforcement

fixed ratio schedule

a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

variable ratio schedule

a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

fixed interval schedule

a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed

variable interval schedule

a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredicted time intervals

pattern graphing schedule (variable interval scalloped graph)

occur in fixed-interval schedules in which reinforcements are available at a fixed, specific time

social learning

people learn by observing actions performed by others and later executing those behaviors

vicarious conditioning

the act of learning things through observing the reactions, attitudes, and emotions of others rather than direct exposure

insight learning

solving problems through sudden insight — contrasts with strategy-based solutions

latent learning

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

cognitive map

a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment