Ch 12 Definitions: Learning and Memory Flashcards
reflex
an involuntary response to a stimulus
fixed action pattern
(also known as instinct)
a stereotyped pattern of behavior elicited by particular environmental stimuli
learning
a relatively permanent change in behavior or the capacity for behavior due to experience
nonassociative learning
a type of learning that involves a change in the magnitude of responses to stimuli rather than the formation of connections between elements or events
habituation
a type of learning in which the response to a repeated, harmless stimulus becomes progressively weaker
sensitization
a type of learning in which the experience of one stimulus heightens response to subsequent stimuli
classic conditioning
a type of associative learning in which neutral stimulus acquires the ability to signal the occurrence of a second, biologically significant event
conditioned stimulus (CS)
in classical conditioning, an initially neutral event that takes on the ability to signal other biologically significant events
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
in classical conditioning, an event that elicits a response without prior experience
conditioned response (CR)
in classical conditioning, a learned reaction to the conditioned stimulus
unconditioned response (UCR)
in classical conditioning, a spontaneous unlearned reaction to a stimulus without prior experience
operant conditioning
learning that links behavior with its consequences, producing change in the subsequent frequency of the behavior
information processing models
theories of memory that seek to explain the management of information by the brain, from detection to storage to retrieval
sensory memory
an initial stage in memory formation in which large amounts of data can be held for very short periods of time
short-term memory
an intermediate memory store in which limited amounts of data can be held for a limited amount of time;
without further processing, such information is permanently lost
long-term memory
a memory store in which apparently unlimited amounts of data can be held for an unlimited amount of time
declarative memory
an explicit memory for semantic or episodic information that can easily be verbalized, or “declared”
nondeclarative memory
an implicit memory that is only accessed unconsciously and automatically
semantic memory
a type of declarative, explicit memory for facts and verbal information
episodic memory
a type of declarative, explicit memorial for personal experience
procedural memory
a type of implicit memory for performing learned skills and tasks
anterograde amnesia
memory loss for information processed following damage to the brain
