Ch. 6 Flashcards
The process of acquiring, through experience, new and relatively enduring information or behaviors
Learning
Learning that certain events occur together
Associative learning
Any event or situation that evokes a response
Stimulus
Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus
Respondent behavior
Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences
Operant behavior
The acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language
Cognitive learning
A type of learning in which we learn to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events
Classical conditioning
In classical conditioning, a stimulus that evokes no response before conditioning
Neutral stimulus (NS)
In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditioned stimulus (such as food in the mouth(
Unconditioned response (UR)
In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers a response
Unconditioned stimulus (US)
In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus
Conditioned response (CR)
In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response
Conditioned stimulus (CS)
In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when we link a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response
Acquisition
In classical conditioning, the weakening of a conditioned response when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus
Extinction
The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response
Spontaneous recovery
In classical conditioning, the tendency, after conditioning, to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus
Generalization
In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguished between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli
Discrimination
A type of learning in which a behavior becomes more probable if followed by a reinforcer or is diminished if followed by a punisher
Operant conditioning
Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely
Law of effect
In operant conditioning research, a chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking
Operant chamber
In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows
Reinforcement
An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide actions closer and closer toward a desired behavior
Shaping
Increases behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is anything that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response
Positive reinforcement
Increases behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is anything that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response
Negative reinforcement
An event that is innately reinforcing, often by satisfying a biological need
Primary reinforcer
An event that gains its reinforcing power through its link with a primary reinforcer (aka secondary reinforcer)
Conditioned reinforcer
A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced
Reinforcement schedule
Reinforcing a desired response every time it occurs
Continuous reinforcement
Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement
Partial (intermittent) reinforcement
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
Fixed-ratio schedule
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
Fixed-interval schedule
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
Variable-interval schedule
An event that decreases the behavior that follows
Punishment
Evolved biological tendencies that predispose animals’ behavior and learning. Thus, certain behaviors are more easily learned than others
Biological constraints
The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes
Behaviorism
A mental image of the layout of one’s environment
Cognitive map
Learning that is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
Latent learning
A desire to perform a behavior well for its own sake
Intrinsic motivation
A desire to perform a behavior to gain a reward or avoid punishment
Extrinsic motivation
Learning by observing others
Observational learning
The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior
Modeling
A neuron that fires when we perform certain actions and when we observe others performing those actions; a neural basis for imitation and observational learning
Mirror neuron
Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior
Pro social behavior
