Psychology Learning and Conditioning

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Questions and Answers

What is learning?

Any relatively durable change in behavior or knowledge that is due to experience.

What are phobias?

Irrational fears of specific objects or situations.

What is classical conditioning?

A type of learning where a stimulus acquires capacity to evoke a response originally evoked by another stimulus.

What is an unconditioned stimulus?

Stimulus that evokes an unconditioned response without previous conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response?

Unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus that occurs without previous conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned stimulus?

Previously neutral stimulus that has acquired the capacity to evoke a conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response?

Learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus that occurs because of previous conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What does elicited mean?

Drawn forth. Signup and view all the answers

What does acquisition refer to in learning?

The initial stage of learning something. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery?

Reappearance of extinguished response after a period of nonexposure to conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus generalization?

Occurs when an organism responds in the same way to new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus discrimination?

Occurs when an organism does not respond in the same way to new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is operant conditioning?

Form of learning in which voluntary responses come to be controlled by their consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What is reinforcement?

An event following a response that increases an organism's tendency to make that response. Signup and view all the answers

What does emit mean?

Sent forth. Signup and view all the answers

What are reinforcement contingencies?

Circumstances or rules that determine whether responses lead to presentation of reinforcers. Signup and view all the answers

What is shaping?

Reinforcement of closer and closer approximations of desired response. Signup and view all the answers

What is extinction in learning?

Gradual weakening and disappearance of response tendency because response is no longer followed by reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What is resistance to extinction?

Occurs when an organism continues to make a response after delivery of its reinforcer has been terminated. Signup and view all the answers

What is Thorndike's Law of Effect?

Rewarded behavior is more likely to occur. Signup and view all the answers

What is a schedule of reinforcement?

Specific pattern of presentation of reinforcers over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is continuous reinforcement?

Occurs when every instance of a designated response is reinforced. Signup and view all the answers

What is partial/intermittent reinforcement?

Occurs when designated response is reinforced only some of the time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed-ratio schedule?

Reinforcer is given after a fixed number of responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable-ratio schedule?

Reinforcer is given after a variable number of nonreinforced responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fixed-interval schedule?

Reinforcer is given for the first response that occurs after a fixed time interval has elapsed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable-interval schedule?

Reinforcer is given for the first response after a variable time interval has elapsed. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive reinforcement?

Occurs when a response is strengthened because it is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative reinforcement?

Occurs when a response is strengthened because it is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is punishment?

Occurs when an event following a response weakens the tendency to make that response. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning

Defined as a relatively durable change in behavior or knowledge influenced by experience.

Phobias

Characterized as irrational fears directed toward specific objects or situations.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes capable of eliciting a response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, exemplified by Pavlov’s experiments.

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that naturally triggers an unconditioned response without prior conditioning.

Unconditioned Response

An automatic, unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus

A neutral stimulus that, through conditioning, acquires the ability to elicit a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response

A learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus developed through previous conditioning.

Elicited

Refers to a response that is drawn forth by a stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning where a new behavior or response is established.

Spontaneous Recovery

The phenomenon where an extinguished response reappears after a period without exposure to the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Generalization

Occurs when an organism responds in a similar manner to new stimuli that resemble the original conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Discrimination

The learned ability to differentiate between similar stimuli, responding only to the specific conditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A form of learning where voluntary behaviors are controlled by their consequences.

Reinforcement

An event that follows a response, increasing the likelihood of that response being repeated.

Emit

To send forth or produce a response.

Reinforcement Contingencies

The rules or circumstances that decide whether responses lead to the presentation of reinforcers.

Shaping

The process of reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior.

Extinction

The gradual decline and eventual disappearance of a learned response when reinforcement is no longer provided.

Resistance to Extinction

The continued occurrence of a response even after the reinforcement has been withdrawn.

Thorndike's Law of Effect

Suggests that behaviors followed by favorable outcomes are more likely to be repeated.

Schedule of Reinforcement

A structured pattern detailing how and when reinforcers are presented over time.

Continuous Reinforcement

A reinforcement schedule where every instance of the designated response receives reinforcement.

Partial/Intermittent Reinforcement

A schedule where only some instances of the designated response are reinforced.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement occurs after a set number of responses.

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement is given after an unpredictable number of responses, enhancing persistence.

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Reinforcement occurs after a predetermined time interval has elapsed, following the first response.

Variable-Interval Schedule

Reinforcement is provided after a varying time interval, which averages around a set time frame.

Positive Reinforcement

Strengthening a response by presenting a rewarding stimulus following the behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Strengthening a response by removing an unpleasant stimulus following the behavior.

Punishment

An event that decreases the likelihood of a response occurring by following the behavior with unfavorable outcomes.

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Description

Test your understanding of key concepts in psychology related to learning and conditioning. This quiz covers topics such as classical conditioning, phobias, and various stimuli and responses. Challenge yourself to apply these principles effectively!