Psychology Chapter 5 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is classical conditioning?

Learning by experience

Learning through observation

Learning by trial and error

Learning by association (correct)

What is stimulus generalization?

The tendency to respond to a stimulus that is only similar to the original conditioned stimulus with the conditioned response.

What is stimulus discrimination?

The tendency to differentiate among stimuli so that stimuli that are related to the original conditioned stimulus, but not identical to it, fail to elicit a conditioned response.

What is learning?

A relatively permanent change in behavior that results from experience. Signup and view all the answers

What manipulates the strength of conditioned responses?

Frequency, timing, and intensity of the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What do humans and other animals seek information to make?

Predictions about important events in their environment. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of classical conditioning.

Acquisition of fear responses and taste aversions. Signup and view all the answers

What roles does classical conditioning play?

Positive emotions, drug cravings, and immune system responses. Signup and view all the answers

What does Rescorla's cognitive model of classical conditioning emphasize?

The informational value of the conditioned stimulus as a signal or cue. Signup and view all the answers

What is radical behaviorism?

The philosophical position that free will is an illusion or myth and that human and animal behavior is completely determined by environmental and genetic influences. Signup and view all the answers

What is shaping?

A process of learning that involves the reinforcements available if the subject makes a particular response. Signup and view all the answers

What is escape learning?

The learning of behaviors that allow an organism to escape from an aversive stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is avoidance learning?

The learning of behaviors that allow an organism to avoid an aversive situation. Signup and view all the answers

Punishment introduces or removes an aversive stimulus to _ behavior, negative reinforcement is to _ behavior.

weaken or suppress; strengthen Signup and view all the answers

What is operant conditioning?

A form of learning in which the consequences of behavior influence the strength or likelihood that it will occur. Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the law of effect and what is it?

Edward Thorndike; it holds that responses that have satisfying effects will be strengthened whereas those that don't will be weakened. Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the principles of operant conditioning?

B.F. Skinner. Signup and view all the answers

What type of reinforcement strengthens behavior when reinforcement is presented after the response occurs?

Positive reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What type of reinforcement strengthens behavior when an unpleasant stimulus is removed after the response occurs?

Negative reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What are schedules of reinforcement?

Predetermined plans for timing the delivery of reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What is continuous reinforcement?

Reinforcement is given after every correct response. Signup and view all the answers

What is partial reinforcement?

Reinforcement is administered intermittently under either an interval or ratio schedule. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed-ratio schedule?

Reinforcement after a specified number of correct responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable-ratio schedule?

Number of correct responses needed before reinforcement is given varies around some average number. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed-interval schedule?

A specified period of time must pass before a correct response can be reinforced. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable-interval schedule?

Period of time that must elapse before a response can be reinforced varies around some average interval. Signup and view all the answers

What reinforcement produces the most rapid learning but also the most rapid extinction of a response when reinforcement is withheld?

Continuous reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Principles of operant conditioning are used in ___ training, behavior modification, and programmed instruction.

Biofeedback. Signup and view all the answers

What is insight learning?

Mental process in which the restructuring of a problem into its component parts leads to the sudden realization of a solution to the problem. Signup and view all the answers

What is latent learning?

Hidden learning that occurs without apparent reinforcement and is not displayed until reinforcement is provided. Signup and view all the answers

What is observational learning?

Behaviors are acquired by observing and imitating others. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning

Involves learning by association, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.
Stimulus generalization occurs when a conditioned response is triggered by stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus, which has survival value.
Stimulus discrimination is the ability to differentiate between stimuli so that only the original conditioned stimulus elicits the conditioned response.

Learning Concepts

Learning results in a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience.
Conditioned responses can be strengthened through manipulation of frequency, timing, and intensity of the unconditioned stimulus (US).
Humans and animals seek information to make predictions about important environmental events.

Examples and Applications of Classical Conditioning

Fear responses and taste aversions are common examples of classical conditioning.
This type of conditioning is involved in various psychological phenomena such as positive emotions, drug cravings, and immune responses.

Cognitive Models and Philosophies

Rescorla's cognitive model highlights the informational value of conditioned stimuli as cues.
Radical behaviorism posits that free will is a myth, with behavior determined entirely by environmental and genetic factors.

Operant Conditioning

Involves learning where behavior is influenced by its consequences, either strengthening or weakening the likelihood of occurrence.
Edward Thorndike developed the law of effect, which states that responses with satisfying effects are strengthened, while unsatisfying responses are weakened.
B.F. Skinner established the principles of operant conditioning.

Types of Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement strengthens behavior by presenting a reinforcing stimulus post-response.
Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus after the response.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Continuous reinforcement provides reinforcement after every correct response, resulting in rapid learning and quick extinction when withheld.
Partial reinforcement is given intermittently, under either an interval or ratio schedule.
Fixed-ratio schedule reinforces after a specified number of correct responses.
Variable-ratio schedule varies the number of responses needed for reinforcement around an average.
Fixed-interval schedule reinforces a correct response only after a specified period.
Variable-interval schedule varies the time elapsed before reinforcement around an average interval.

Advanced Learning Concepts

Insight learning is a mental process that restructures a problem, leading to sudden realization of a solution.
Latent learning occurs without apparent reinforcement and is revealed when reinforcement is provided.
Observational learning involves acquiring behaviors through observing others, underscoring social influences in learning.

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Test your knowledge on classical conditioning and related concepts with these flashcards from Psychology Chapter 5. This quiz covers essential definitions including stimulus generalization and discrimination, strengthening your understanding of learning theories.