Chapter 6 Flashcards
non-associative learning
A learned change in behaviour to a novel stimulus after repeated or continuous exposure to that stimulus.
habituation
A decrease in the response to a repeated or prolonged stimulus over time.
associative learning
Learning that occurs when an organism makes a connection, or an association, between two stimuli or events.
observational learning
Learning that occurs through observing and imitating another’s behaviour.
What is sensitization
Increase in the response to a repeated or prolonged stimulus
classical conditioning
Learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an innately meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response.
unconditioned stimulus (US)
A stimulus that produces a response without prior learning.
unconditioned response (UR)
An unlearned reaction that is automatically elicited by the unconditioned stimulus.
conditioned stimulus (CS)
A previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits a conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
conditioned response (CR)
The learned response to the conditioned stimulus that occurs after conditioned stimulus–unconditioned stimulus pairing.
acquisition
The initial learning of the connection between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus when these two stimuli are paired.
generalization (in classical conditioning)
The tendency of a new stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response that is similar to the conditioned response.
discrimination (in classical conditioning)
The process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not others.
extinction (in classical conditioning)
The weakening of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is absent.
spontaneous recovery
The process in classical conditioning by which an extinguished conditioned response can recur after a time delay, without further conditioning.
renewal
The recovery of the conditioned response when the organism is placed in a novel context.
operant conditioning, or instrumental conditioning
A form of associative learning in which the consequences of a behaviour change the probability of the behaviour’s occurrence.
law of effect
Thorndike’s law stating that behaviours followed by positive outcomes are strengthened and that behaviours followed by negative outcomes are weakened.
shaping
Rewarding successive approximations of a desired behaviour.
reinforcement
The process by which a stimulus or event (a reinforcer) following a particular behaviour increases the probability that the behaviour will happen again.
positive reinforcement
The presentation of a stimulus following a given behaviour in order to increase the frequency of that behaviour.
negative reinforcement
The removal of a stimulus following a given behaviour in order to increase the frequency of that behaviour.
avoidance learning
An organism’s learning that it can altogether avoid a negative stimulus by making a particular response.
learned helplessness
An organism’s learning through experience with negative stimuli that it has no control over negative outcomes.
primary reinforcer
A reinforcer that is innately satisfying; a primary reinforcer does not require any learning on the organism’s part to make it pleasurable.
secondary reinforcer
A reinforcer that acquires its positive value through an organism’s experience; a secondary reinforcer is a learned or conditioned reinforcer.
generalization (in operant conditioning)
Performing a reinforced behaviour in a different situation.
latent learning or implicit learning
Unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behaviour.
insight learning
A form of problem solving in which the organism develops a sudden insight into or understanding of a problem’s solution.
instinctive drift
The tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behaviour that interferes with learning.
Peoples mindsets range from
Fixed to growth
Results of exposure to uncontrolled negative events
Learned helplessness: Learns through experience that outcomes are not controllable
Positive punishment
A behaviour decreases when followed by an unwanted stimulus
Negative punishment
A behaviour decreases when a stimulus that is wanted is removed
