WGU C180: Introduction to Sociology –
Comprehensive Exam Review & Study Guide
Terms in this set (189)
Classical conditioning Learning to associate 2 stimuli together, which leads to
an organism anticipating future events. Example: Ivan
Paplov studied salivation in dogs as a precursor to
digestion.
Unconditioned stimulus Stimulus that automatically triggers a response naturally.
Unlearned.
Unconditioned response Naturally occuring, unlearned response to an unconditioned
stimulus. Unlearned.
Conditioned stimulus Originally neutral stimulus that triggers a response after an
association with an unconditioned stimulus is formed.
Learned.
Conditioned response Learned response to a stimulus that was originally neutral, but
is now conditioned.
Extinction Occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is no linger paired
with the conditioned stimulus. Make the behavior go away.
Generalization Stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus will also elicit
the conditioned response. Avoid things that are similar to
things that have hurt us.
Operant conditioning Controlling behavior through consequences. Behavior
strengthened by reinforcement and weakened by punishment.
Positive reinforcement Increases behavior by presenting a positive stimulus. Adding
Example: giving dog a treat to roll over
Negative reinforcement Increases behavior by stopping a negative stimulus.
Subtracting Example: you buy your child a toy in the store
and he stops crying. This will increase your toy buying
behavior.
Primary reinforcer Does not have to be learned. Satisfies a biological need.
Food. Water. Similar to unconditioned stimuli.
Secondary reinforcer Has to be learned. These can get us the primary reinforcers.
Good grades. Money. Similar to conditioned stimuli.
Reinforcement schedules Continuous and partial
Continuous reinforcement A behavior is reinforced every time it occurs. For example if
you give your child a candy bar every time he cleans his room.
, Partial reinforcement A behavior is reinforced only part of the time it occurs.
Example: you gave your child a candy bar every so often after
he cleans his room. Note: this type of schedule is much more
difficult to extinguish
Partial reinforcement schedule types Ratio and Interval
Ratio Reinforcement that occurs after a number of responses occur
- response
Interval Reinforcement occurs after an amount of time passes - time
Fixed-ratio A knowable pattern. You get your reinforcer after a specific
number of responses. For example: after purchasing five
sandwiches, you get one free at your favorite deli
Variable-ratio Random pattern. You get your reinforcer after an
unpredictable number of responses occur. For example:
playing the lottery; playing a slot machine
Fixed-interval After a specified amount of time has passed, you receive a
reinforcer for your response. Example: checking to see if your
mail has come, a pay period.
Variable-interval A random amount of time has passed and you never know
when you're going to receive a reinforcer for your
response. Example: checking your Facebook status for likes.
Checking your email. Note: variable schedules are much
harder to stop once they have been put in place.
Positive punishment Adding something unpleasant to decrease or stop the
behavior. Example: corporal punishment; spraying water on
the cat.
Negative punishment Stop the behavior by the subtraction of something positive.
For example: you come in late after curfew and your parents
take away your car keys.
Observational learning Learning by observing others who are modeling behaviors.
Vicarious reinforcement Watching others receive reinforcement for their behavior.
Example: watching a movie in which a criminal is rewarded
with money for committing a crime.
Vicarious punishment Watching someone receive a punishment for their behavior.
Example: watching a movie in which a criminal goes to jail
for committing a crime.
Social psychology Social psychologists focus on how the situation contributes to
our behavior. It is a blend of sociology and psychology
and focuses on how individuals change when they're in
Comprehensive Exam Review & Study Guide
Terms in this set (189)
Classical conditioning Learning to associate 2 stimuli together, which leads to
an organism anticipating future events. Example: Ivan
Paplov studied salivation in dogs as a precursor to
digestion.
Unconditioned stimulus Stimulus that automatically triggers a response naturally.
Unlearned.
Unconditioned response Naturally occuring, unlearned response to an unconditioned
stimulus. Unlearned.
Conditioned stimulus Originally neutral stimulus that triggers a response after an
association with an unconditioned stimulus is formed.
Learned.
Conditioned response Learned response to a stimulus that was originally neutral, but
is now conditioned.
Extinction Occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is no linger paired
with the conditioned stimulus. Make the behavior go away.
Generalization Stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus will also elicit
the conditioned response. Avoid things that are similar to
things that have hurt us.
Operant conditioning Controlling behavior through consequences. Behavior
strengthened by reinforcement and weakened by punishment.
Positive reinforcement Increases behavior by presenting a positive stimulus. Adding
Example: giving dog a treat to roll over
Negative reinforcement Increases behavior by stopping a negative stimulus.
Subtracting Example: you buy your child a toy in the store
and he stops crying. This will increase your toy buying
behavior.
Primary reinforcer Does not have to be learned. Satisfies a biological need.
Food. Water. Similar to unconditioned stimuli.
Secondary reinforcer Has to be learned. These can get us the primary reinforcers.
Good grades. Money. Similar to conditioned stimuli.
Reinforcement schedules Continuous and partial
Continuous reinforcement A behavior is reinforced every time it occurs. For example if
you give your child a candy bar every time he cleans his room.
, Partial reinforcement A behavior is reinforced only part of the time it occurs.
Example: you gave your child a candy bar every so often after
he cleans his room. Note: this type of schedule is much more
difficult to extinguish
Partial reinforcement schedule types Ratio and Interval
Ratio Reinforcement that occurs after a number of responses occur
- response
Interval Reinforcement occurs after an amount of time passes - time
Fixed-ratio A knowable pattern. You get your reinforcer after a specific
number of responses. For example: after purchasing five
sandwiches, you get one free at your favorite deli
Variable-ratio Random pattern. You get your reinforcer after an
unpredictable number of responses occur. For example:
playing the lottery; playing a slot machine
Fixed-interval After a specified amount of time has passed, you receive a
reinforcer for your response. Example: checking to see if your
mail has come, a pay period.
Variable-interval A random amount of time has passed and you never know
when you're going to receive a reinforcer for your
response. Example: checking your Facebook status for likes.
Checking your email. Note: variable schedules are much
harder to stop once they have been put in place.
Positive punishment Adding something unpleasant to decrease or stop the
behavior. Example: corporal punishment; spraying water on
the cat.
Negative punishment Stop the behavior by the subtraction of something positive.
For example: you come in late after curfew and your parents
take away your car keys.
Observational learning Learning by observing others who are modeling behaviors.
Vicarious reinforcement Watching others receive reinforcement for their behavior.
Example: watching a movie in which a criminal is rewarded
with money for committing a crime.
Vicarious punishment Watching someone receive a punishment for their behavior.
Example: watching a movie in which a criminal goes to jail
for committing a crime.
Social psychology Social psychologists focus on how the situation contributes to
our behavior. It is a blend of sociology and psychology
and focuses on how individuals change when they're in
