AP Psych Unit 4A- Learning Vocab

Question 1

extinction

Answer 1

diminishing of response when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow conditioned stimulus

Question 2

spontaneous recovery

Answer 2

the reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response

Question 3

operant behavior

Answer 3

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Question 4

generalization

Answer 4

the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit a similar response

Question 5

discrimination

Answer 5

in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal and unconditioned stimulus

Question 6

learned helplessness

Answer 6

the hopelessness an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events

Question 7

respondent behavior

Answer 7

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to a stimulus

Question 8

operant conditioning

Answer 8

a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

Question 9

law of effect

Answer 9

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and those followed by unfavorable consequences, less likely

Question 10

shaping

Answer 10

operant conditioning procedure where reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer desired behaviors

Question 11

instinctive drift

Answer 11

animals returning to its biological predisposition and behaviors

Question 12

punishment

Answer 12

event that decreases certain behavior

Question 13

cognitive map

Answer 13

mental representation of the layout of one’s environment

Question 14

latent learning

Answer 14

learning occurs but isn’t apparent until there’s an incentive to demonstrate

Question 15

insight

Answer 15

the solution to a problem becomes randomly clear; contrasts strategy based solutions

Question 16

intrinsic motivation

Answer 16

desire to perform behavior for its own sake

Question 17

extrinsic motivation

Answer 17

desire to perform behavior to either get reward or avoid punishment

Question 18

biofeedback

Answer 18

system electronically records info regarding physiological state (ex. blood pressure, muscle tension)

Question 19

observational learning

Answer 19

learning by observing others

Question 20

modeling

Answer 20

observing and imitating specific behaviors

Question 21

mirror neurons

Answer 21

frontal lobe neurons fire when performing certain actions or observing others doing so

Question 22

prosocial behavior

Answer 22

positive, helpful behavior; opposite of antisocial behavior

Question 23

learning

Answer 23

relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience

Question 24

habituation

Answer 24

decreasing response to a stimulus due to repeated exposure to it

Question 25

variable-ratio schedule

Answer 25

in operant conditioning, schedule that reinforces that reinforces a response after unpredictable number of responses

Question 26

associative learning

Answer 26

learning that certain events occur together (classical conditioning; operant conditioning)

Question 27

classical conditioning

Answer 27

type of learning where one links several stimuli and anticipate events

Question 28

behaviorism

Answer 28

view that psychology should (1) be an objective science and (2) study behavior without reference to mental processes

Question 29

primary reinforcer

Answer 29

reinforcing stimulus that satisfies a biological need

Question 30

unconditioned response

Answer 30

unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus

Question 31

unconditioned stimulus

Answer 31

stimulus that unconditionally, naturally triggers a response

Question 32

conditioned response

Answer 32

learned response to now conditioned stimulus

Question 33

acquisition

Answer 33

in classical conditioning, in the beginning stage when neutral stimulus begins triggering conditioned response; operant conditioning, strengthening a reinforced response

Question 34

higher-order conditioning

Answer 34

conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral, creating a second conditioned stimulus (often weaker)

Question 35

discriminative stimulus

Answer 35

stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement

Question 36

reinforcement

Answer 36

any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

Question 37

positive reinforcement

Answer 37

increasing behavior by presenting positive stimuli ex. food

Question 38

negative reinforcement

Answer 38

increasing behavior by reducing negative stimuli

Question 39

conditioned reinforcer

Answer 39

a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through association with primary reinforcer

Question 40

partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Answer 40

reinforcing a response only part of the time; slower acquisition of a response; greater resistance to extinction

Question 41

fixed-interval schedule

Answer 41

schedule that reinforces response after specified time has elapsed

Question 42

fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 42

schedule that reinforces response after specified number of responses

Question 43

locus of control

Answer 43

if it’s internal, you take control of your life; if external, not your fault

Question 44

variable-interval schedule

Answer 44

schedule that reinforces response at unpredictable time intervals

Question 45

conditioned stimulus

Answer 45

originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger conditioned response