Learning Theory & Conditioning Flashcards

When a trainer removes a leash correction the moment a dog heels correctly, the cessation of the aversive is functioning as:

Answer: Negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement increases behavior by removing an aversive stimulus contingent on the desired behavior.

The process by which a conditioned stimulus loses its power to elicit a conditioned response when repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus is called:

Answer: Extinction

Extinction in classical conditioning occurs when the CS is presented repeatedly without the US, weakening the CR.

A dog startled by a bicycle becomes increasingly reactive to bicycles over time. This escalating sensitivity is known as:

Answer: Sensitization

Sensitization is an increase in response strength following repeated exposure to a stimulus, especially an aversive one.

Which term describes the tendency for a behavior on extinction to temporarily increase in frequency and intensity before declining?

Answer: Extinction burst

An extinction burst is the initial spike in behavior when reinforcement is first withheld.

A dog's fear of thunder becomes generalized to dark skies and barometric pressure changes. This illustrates:

Answer: Stimulus generalization

Stimulus generalization occurs when stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus also elicit the conditioned response.

When a previously extinguished behavior reappears spontaneously after a rest period, this is called:

Answer: Spontaneous recovery

Spontaneous recovery is the return of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest.

In classical conditioning, the term 'contiguity' refers to:

Answer: The closeness in time between the CS and US

Contiguity is the temporal proximity between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli during conditioning.