Cognitive Development Ch. 6

Variable ratio schedule

A scheme in which reinforcement is provided after a variable number of responses, centered around an average.

Variable interval schedule

A scheme in which reinforcement is provided for correct responses after varying time intervals.

Fixed interval schedule

A scheme in which reinforcement is provided for correct responses only after fixed intervals of time.

Fixed ratio schedule

A scheme in which reinforcement is provided only after a pre-specified number of responses.

Classical conditioning

A simple type of learning in which a previously neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) and is made to elicit a conditioned response (CR) by pairing the CS with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS).

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that causes an innate response that did not have to be learned.

Operant conditioning

A type of learning in which responses are either strengthened or weakened according to the consequences that follow them.

Shaping

A way of teaching complex behaviors by rewarding successive approximations toward the desired behavior.

Unconditioned Response

An innate or inborn response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Positive reinforcement

Any consequence of behavior that is perceived by the learner as desirable and that leads to an increase in that behavior.

Punishment

As defined for operant conditioning, a punishment is any consequence of behavior that has the effect of decreasing that behavior.

Secondary reinforcers

Reinforcers that an organism learns are positive because of their association with primary reinforcers.

Primary reinforcers

Reinforcers that are inherently positive (without any learning) because they meet an organism's biological needs.

Extinction

When a conditioned response decreases and eventually stops due to either: (a) the UCS no longer being paired with the CS (classical conditioning); or (b) the response no longer being reinforced (operant conditioning).

Stimulus discrimination

When an organism makes a given response to one stimulus but not to a similar stimulus.

Stimulus generalization

When an organism shows the same response to two similar but distinct stimuli.

All changes in behavior are the result of learning.

false

Escape conditioning is a type of positive reinforcement.

false

In classical conditioning, learning will occur more quickly when the UCS precedes the CS.

false

In operant conditioning, the individual does not have to do anything for learning to occur.

false

Observational learning is the form of learning in which the consequences of behavior lead to changes in the likelihood of that behavior reoccurring.

false

On a variable interval schedule, the reinforcer is obtained only after a varying number of responses have been made.

false

Responses that have been continuously reinforced are harder to extinguish than responses that have been reinforced on a variable ratio schedule.

false

The abbreviation UCS stands for uncontrollable stimulus.

false

The cognitive view of learning suggests that learning occurs due to neural connections in the brain.

false

The ultimate goal of punishment is to strengthen behavior.

false

Thorndike's law of effect

A behavioral law, formulated by Edward Thorndike, which states that responses followed by rewarding consequences are more likely to occur again.

Skinner box

A cage or chamber for animals, used to study operant conditioning in the laboratory.

Punishment

A negative consequence that causes the preceding behavior to decrease.

Negative reinforcement

A negative event or stimulus that when removed as a consequence of behavior, serves to strengthen that behavior.

Conditioned Response

A previously neutral stimulus that is paired with an unconditioned stimulus until it elicits a response just like the unconditioned response.

Learning

A relatively lasting change in an organism's behavior that occurs as a result of experience.

Conditioned response

A response just like the unconditioned response that, after conditioning, is elicited by a previously neutral stimulus.

Latent learning

Learning that occurs but is not immediately but is not displayed until some later point, when an incentive for performing is provided.

Observational learning

Learning that occurs by observing the behavior of someone else who serves as a model.

Relearning

Memory tests that involve reteaching something that someone has previously learned (but apparently forgotten) and measuring how long it takes the subject to relearn it.

Spontaneous recovery

The recurrence of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a passage of time, even with no new reinforcement.

Harlow's work with monkeys showed that learning sets enhance insight learning.

true

In a ratio schedule of reinforcement, the number of responses made determines when the reinforcer will be given.

true

In classical conditioning behaviors are elicited, while in operant conditioning behaviors are emitted.

true

Ivan Pavlov is considered one of the first to study what is now called classical conditioning.

true

Learning by observing the behavior of others is called modeling.

true

Positive reinforcement is more effective when the delay of reinforcement is minimized.

true

Rats who know where something is in a maze relative to a starting place possess a cognitive map.

true

The method of successive approximations is also called shaping.

true

The process of watching another person receiving reinforcement is called vicarious reinforcement.

true

When the frequency of a behavior decreases following a negative consequence, punishment has occurred.

true