All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the definition of operant conditioning in learning theory?
Answer: Learning in which consequences shape the likelihood of behavior. Skinner's work showed how rewards and punishments modify behavior.
Flashcard 2: Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a variable time interval if a response occurs.
Answer: Variable-interval schedule. Unpredictable timing produces steady, moderate response rates.
Flashcard 3: What is vicarious reinforcement in observational learning?
Answer: Increased behavior after seeing a model rewarded for it. Observing positive outcomes motivates adoption of the behavior.
Flashcard 4: Which four processes did Bandura propose are required for observational learning?
Answer: Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation. ARRM: must notice, remember, be able to do, and want to do it.
Flashcard 5: What is self-efficacy as used in theories of learning and behavior change?
Answer: Belief in one’s ability to perform behaviors to reach a goal. Confidence in executing actions affects motivation and persistence.
Flashcard 6: What is outcome expectancy in social cognitive theory?
Answer: Belief that a behavior will lead to a specific outcome. Expectations about consequences influence behavior choices.
Flashcard 7: What is reciprocal determinism in social cognitive theory?
Answer: Person, behavior, and environment mutually influence each other. Bidirectional causation creates a dynamic system of influence.
Flashcard 8: What is latent learning in cognitive approaches to learning?
Answer: Learning that occurs without reinforcement and appears when needed. Knowledge remains dormant until a situation requires its use.
Flashcard 9: What is a cognitive map in the context of spatial learning?
Answer: A mental representation of spatial relationships in an environment. Internal navigation system formed through environmental exploration.
Flashcard 10: What is insight learning (Köhler) as a cognitive process in problem solving?
Answer: Sudden solution realization by reorganizing the problem mentally. "Aha!" moment when pieces suddenly fit together mentally.
Flashcard 11: What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement?
Answer: Positive adds a stimulus; negative removes an aversive stimulus. Both increase behavior but through different mechanisms.
Flashcard 12: Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a fixed number of responses.
Answer: Fixed-ratio schedule. Predictable count creates steady response patterns.
Flashcard 13: Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a variable number of responses.
Answer: Variable-ratio schedule. Unpredictable count maintains high, steady responding.
Flashcard 14: Which schedule of reinforcement typically produces the highest, most persistent response rate?
Answer: Variable-ratio schedule. Gambling-like unpredictability creates strongest response patterns.
Flashcard 15: What is observational learning (social learning) in the context of behavior change?
Answer: Learning by watching others and the consequences they receive. Bandura's theory where behaviors are acquired through observation.
Flashcard 16: What is vicarious punishment in observational learning?
Answer: Decreased behavior after seeing a model punished for it. Observing negative consequences discourages the behavior.
Flashcard 17: What is the key difference between modeling and imitation in observational learning?
Answer: Modeling is demonstrating; imitation is copying the demonstrated act. One shows the behavior; the other replicates what was shown.
Flashcard 18: What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Answer: Intrinsic: internal interest; extrinsic: external reward or avoidance. One comes from within; the other from outside consequences.
Flashcard 19: What is the overjustification effect in motivation and behavior change?
Answer: External rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for a task. Rewards can undermine natural enjoyment of activities.
Flashcard 20: Identify the schedule: reinforcement after a fixed time interval if a response occurs.
Answer: Fixed-interval schedule. Time-based with scalloped response pattern near interval end.
Flashcard 21: What is the definition of negative punishment in operant conditioning?
Answer: Removing a desired stimulus to decrease behavior frequency. Like taking away privileges or toys.
Flashcard 22: Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses.
Answer: Fixed-ratio schedule. Every nth response earns reinforcement (e.g., every 5th).
Flashcard 23: Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a variable number of responses.
Answer: Variable-ratio schedule. Unpredictable response count creates high, steady responding.
Flashcard 24: Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a fixed amount of time.
Answer: Fixed-interval schedule. First response after set time earns reinforcement.
Flashcard 25: Identify the schedule: reinforcement occurs after a variable amount of time.
Answer: Variable-interval schedule. Unpredictable timing produces steady, moderate response rates.
Flashcard 26: What is observational learning (social learning) as described by Bandura?
Answer: Learning by watching others and the consequences they receive. Bobo doll experiments showed children imitate observed aggression.
Flashcard 27: Which concept explains why behavior change is easier when outcomes are self-efficacy enhancing?
Answer: Self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to perform a behavior). Confidence in ability predicts successful behavior change.
Flashcard 28: What is higher-order (second-order) conditioning?
Answer: A CS becomes associated with a new stimulus, creating a new CS. The first CS can train a second neutral stimulus without the US.
Flashcard 29: What is the Rescorla-Wagner model’s key idea about prediction error?
Answer: Learning depends on surprise: mismatch between expected and actual US. Learning is strongest when outcomes violate expectations.
Flashcard 30: What is the definition of positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Answer: Adding a stimulus to increase behavior frequency. Like giving praise or rewards to encourage repetition.