Exam 7: Learning

Based on Thorndike’s law of effect, B. F. Skinner formulated a description of this type of learning, in which the consequences of a behavior affect the probability that the behavior will be repeated in the future.

Skinner's brand of behaviorism, based in operant conditioning, became known as _______________ because of Skinner's insistence that psychology could never be a science of mind, but only a science of behavior.

Pavlov found that if he allowed his animals to rest for several hours following the extinction of a behavior, the conditioned response would spontaneously appear again upon re-presentation of the conditioned stimulus-although in a somewhat weaker form. This is called

Tolman's research on latent learning focused on distinguishing between learning and

The principle of ________________ illustrates that there are some things that individuals of a given species cannot learn, or have great difficulty learning, because these things conflict with innate patterns of behavior.

According to researchers that hold the view that exposure to television, movie, and video game violence substantially increases the risk of aggressive and violent behavior in the real world,

If a behavior, like playing a slot machine, is continuously reinforced, the behavior is initially strong but

Describe some limitations of classical conditioning experiments, specifically the arguments that make up the functionalist perspective. Also describe at least one problem with the famous "Little Albert" study by Watson and Raynor (1920).

Natalie's mother has found her smoking cigarettes again and immediately confiscates Natalie's car keys in an effort to deter her from smoking in the future. This is an example of

Theorists taking this perspective on learning propose that classical conditioning in a natural environment differs in important respects from that found in psychology experiments.

According to this principle of operant conditioning, strong reinforcers can be used to reinforce weak reinforcers.

Bandura's research team noted that the boys were much more likely to behave aggressively than the girls and that the females were more likely to behave aggressively if they had seen a male model.

Slot-machine players do not typically pause for rest following reinforcement, but rather, they continue to respond at high rates to reach the next pay-off. The schedule of reinforcement in effect here is

When the frequency or probability of a behavior is decreased as a result of the addition or presentation of something following the performance of the behavior, it is called

According to the idea of equipotentiality, given enough time, virtually any animal could be taught to

With repeated presentation of the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus, the conditioned response becomes weaker until it disappears entirely, a process known as

If a child is given a "talking-to" to help reduce disobedience when she accompanies her parents to the store, that is an example of negative reinforcement.

There are some things that individuals of a given species cannot learn, or have great difficulty learning, because these things conflict with innate patterns of behavior (instinct) or psychological adaptations.

Contrary to the principle of __________________, foods are rarely associated with physically painful consequences in the real world, making it more difficult to condition mammals to avoid food paired with shocks.

The partial reinforcement effect is an important component of F. Skinner's operant conditioning. Discuss this effect by giving two real-world examples of applications of the schedules of reinforcement. Also, contrast the partial reinforcement effect with the evidence for latent learning.