Learning Theory & Conditioning Flashcards

A dog repeatedly exposed to a loud noise with no consequence eventually stops reacting to it. This is an example of:

Answer: Habituation

Habituation is the decrease in response to a repeated neutral stimulus that has no consequence.

In operant conditioning, which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest and most consistent rate of responding?

Answer: Variable ratio

Variable ratio schedules produce the highest, most consistent response rates because reinforcement is unpredictable.

A trainer clicks the moment a dog sits and then delivers a treat. The clicker is functioning as a:

Answer: Conditioned reinforcer

Through pairing with food, the clicker becomes a conditioned (secondary) reinforcer.

Which concept describes a dog that works hard to earn reinforcement and then takes a pause after receiving it?

Answer: Post-reinforcement pause

Post-reinforcement pauses are common after fixed ratio or fixed interval reinforcement delivery.

Counter-conditioning is most effective when the new emotional response is:

Answer: Incompatible with the fear response

Counter-conditioning replaces fear with an incompatible positive emotional state, such as anticipation of food.

Thorndike's Law of Effect states that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes will:

Answer: Increase in frequency

The Law of Effect holds that behaviors producing satisfying consequences are strengthened and repeated.

A dog trained to sit in the kitchen fails to sit reliably in a park. This demonstrates the need for:

Answer: Generalization training

Generalization training teaches the dog that the cue means the same behavior across varied environments and contexts.