Chapter 6 Flashcards
learning that certain events occur together. the events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequence (operant conditioning)
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 a consequence.
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 link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.
classical conditioning
in classical conditioning, a stimulus that evokes no response before conditioning (Pavlov’s experiment sounding a tone would make the dog salivate if given food after)
neutral stimulus
in classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditional 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)
an originally neutral 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
a type of learning in which a behavior becomes more probable if followed by a reinforcer or less probable 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 food or water reinforcer
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
increasing behaviors by presenting a pleasurable stimulus, such as food. anything that when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
positive reinforcement
increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing aversive stimuli, such as an electric shock. 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
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 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 after and unpredictable number of response.
variable 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 it follows
punishment
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
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
prosocial behavior
