Chapter 3 - Learning and Memory Flashcards
Nonassociative Learning
a change in response to a stimulus due to repeated exposure to that stimulus
Habituation
a process in which the magnitude of a response to a specific stimulus decreases with repeated exposure to that stimulus
Neutral Stimulus (NS)
a stimulus that initially produces no specific response other than focusing attention
Unconditioned Stimulus (US)
a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response; its effects do not depend on previous experiences
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
a stimulus that was previously neutral, but became associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response
Unconditioned Response (UR)
a response that is unlearned and occurs naturally with presentation of an unconditioned stimulus (licking, chewing, jumping, blinking)
Conditioned Response (CR)
a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus
Forward Conditioning
presentation of the CS precedes the US, produces the quickest learning
Simultaneous Conditioning
CS and US are presented and terminated simultaneously
Higher-order Conditioning
a procedure in which an existing CS is paired with a NS, creating a second (often weaker) CS
Backward Conditioning
US is presented before the CS
Spontaneous Recovery
reappearance of a weakened conditioned response after a rest period
Stimulus Generalization
occurs when a conditioned response to a specific stimulus transfers to other stimuli similar to the CS
Stimulus Discrimination
learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that have not been associated with an unconditioned stimulus
Operant Conditioning
learning occurs by associating an action with a consequence
Extinction
reduction of an instrumental behavior when it is no longer reinforced
Discriminative Stimulus
stimulus that predicts the presence of reinforcement
Extinction Stimulus
predicts the absence of reinforcements
Primary Reinforcement
strengthens a response by presenting an unlearned reinforcing stimulus of innate biological value
Conditioned Reinforcement
strengthens a response by presenting a learned stimulus that gained its reinforcing power through pairing with a primary reinforcer
Escape Behavior
a response that terminates an unpleasant stimulus that is already present
Avoidance Behavior
a response prevents an unpleasant stimulus, rather than terminating it
Fixed-Ratio Schedules
a set number of responses is required for a reward
Variable-Ratio Schedules
a variable or random number of responses is required to earn a reward
Fixed-Interval Schedules
a set amount of time is required before a response is rewarded
Variable-Interval Schedules
a variable or random amount of time is required before a response is rewarded
Positive Reinforcement
pleasurable event or outcome after a correct response
Negative Reinforcement
strengthens response by removing or reducing an unfavorable event or outcome (won’t get yo ass beat if you do it)
Positive Punishment
weakens a response by presenting an aversive stimulus
Negative Punishment
weakens a response by removing a desirable stimulus following the response (loss of privileges)
Instinctive Drift
tendency to revert to instinctive, species-typical behaviors that interfered with a conditioned response
Sign-tracking
an instinctive response to a certain stimuli that has not been reinforced by reward or punishment
Mirror Neuron
a type of neuron that fires both when an animal performs a specific behavior and observes another perform that same behavior
Theory of Mind
one’s ability to infer another person’s mental state and thus to explain and predict their behavior
Empathy
capacity to share or recognize another person’s beliefs, desires, and emotions
Iconic Memory
temporarily stores sensory inputs like color, shape, or size, that are visually perceived
Echoic Memory
acoustic encoding of words, melodies, and noises is temporarily stored
Haptic Memory
tactile encoding of vibrations, texture, and pressure is temporarily stored
Shallow Processing
encodes on a rudimentary level based on sensory features
Deep Processing
encodes semantically based on meaning and relationships
Sensory Memory
earliest stage of memory that records sensory information
Short-term Memory (STM)
stores info temporarily, on the order of seconds and minutes, before it’s lost (active memory store)
Working Memory
STM’s underlying support system that processes, manipulates, and stores current info
Phonological Loop
subsystem dedicated to temporary storage of auditory info
Visuospatial Sketchpad
subsystem dedicated to temporary storage of visual info
Episodic Buffer
serves to integrate representations from the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad in an ordered, timely, and coherent sequence
Central Executive
responsible for controlling and coordinating the activities of the other three memory systems, ensuring that attention and resources are allocated properly
Maintenance Rehearsal
the target piece of info is continuously repeated
Elaborative Rehearsal
meaning of the target piece of info is considered and further associated with previously stored info
Long-term Memory (LTM)
stores a relatively limitless amount of info for a relatively indefinite amount of time
Long-term Potentiation (LTP)
increasing strength of a synapse due to the repeated firing of its neurons
Labile
is when a memory becomes readily open to change
Context-dependent Memory
retrieval of memories is highly influenced by retrieval cues, returning to the thought’s original context can help jolt your memory
State-dependent Memory
the idea that things learned while drunk will be better recalled while drunk than sober
Serial Position Effect
tendency to remember the first and last items in a list best
Primacy Effect
ability to recall the first few words of a list
Recency Effect
ability to recall the last few words of a list
Decay Theory
attributes loss of memory entirely to time
Interference Theory
suggests forgetting occurs due to memory disruptions from both previously learned info and newly presented info
Proactive Interference
old memories disrupt the retrieval of newer memories
Retroactive Interference
new memories disrupt the retrieval of older memories
Cue-dependent Forgetting (Context-dependent Forgetting)
the idea that the target info is present in long-term memory, but is currently and temporarily inaccessible
Motivated Forgetting (Repression)
a defense mechanism the mind employs to forget unpleasant memories
Anterograde Amnesia
have an inability to form new long-term memories, but can still recall childhood memories
Retrograde Amnesia
an inability to retrieve old memories formed prioer to a particular date
Explicit Memory (Declarative Memory)
info you know and can tell, there are two types: episodic and semantic
Episodic Memory
specific events or experiences
Semantic Memory
general knowledge and facts
Implicit Memory (Nondeclarative Memory)
info that you know and can show
Procedural Memory
allows us to perform daily tasks, especially motor skills, without thought
Flashbulb Memory
a clear, vivid account of an emotionally significant experience
Priming
enhanced identification of objects or words
Misinformation Effect
the idea that misleading info presented after an event can alter one’s memory of the actual event
Source Monitoring
system in the brain responsible for sifting through the different features of a memory to determine its context
Source Amnesia
inability to remember the source of previously learned info (deja vu)
Alzheimer’s Disease
general atrophy of the brain from amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
Korsakoff’s Syndrome
brain disease from a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, most often associated with alcohol abuse, anterograde and retrograde amnesia and even confabulation may occur
