WGU C180 Psychology Study Guide
Exam Graded A+ 2025-2026
Unconditioned stimulus -Correct Answers ✔-A stimulus that automatically triggers
a response (remember "conditioned" means learned)
ratio -Correct Answers ✔-reinforcement occurs after a number of responses occur
interval -Correct Answers ✔-reinforcement occurs after an amount of time passes
classical conditioning -Correct Answers ✔-learning to associate 2 stimuli together,
which leads to an organism anticipating future events.
unconditioned response -Correct Answers ✔-An unlearned, naturally occurring
response to an unconditioned stimulus (classical conditioning-unconditioned
means "unlearned")
conditioned stimulus -Correct Answers ✔-Originally neutral stimulus that triggers
a response after an association with an unconditioned stimulus is formed.
conditioned response -Correct Answers ✔-a learned response to a previously
neutral stimulus that is now conditioned
extinction -Correct Answers ✔-the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs
in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a
conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no
longer reinforced.
generalization -Correct Answers ✔-responding similarly to a range of similar
stimuli
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operant conditioning -Correct Answers ✔-learning controlled by the consequences
of behavior (if behavior is followed by a reinforcement - behavior strengths; if
behavior is followed by a punishment - behavior weakens)
positive reinforcement -Correct Answers ✔-increases behavior by presenting a
positive stimuli (reward for doing something)
negative reinforcement -Correct Answers ✔-increasing behavior by stopping or
reducing negative stimuli (buying a child a toy to make him stop crying)
primary reinforcer -Correct Answers ✔-reinforcer that satisfies a biological need -
does not have to be learned (water, food, etc.)
secondary reinforcer -Correct Answers ✔-any reinforcer that becomes reinforcing
after being paired with a primary reinforcer (such as praise, tokens, or gold stars -
similar to conditioned stimuli).
continuous reinforcement -Correct Answers ✔-a behavior is reinforced every time
it occurs
partial reinforcement -Correct Answers ✔-reinforcing a response only part of the
time it occurs (this type of behavior is harder to extinguish)
what are the two types of schedules in partial reinforcement (operant conditioning)
-Correct Answers ✔-ratio and interval
fixed ratio schedule -Correct Answers ✔-Reinforces a response only after a
specified number of responses (buy 5 coffees, get one free)
variable ratio schedule -Correct Answers ✔-Reinforces a response after an
unpredictable number of responses (playing the lottery or a slot machine)
WGU C180