Chapter 6 & 7- Senses & Learnin Flashcards
Gate-Control Theory
The theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass on to the brain. The “gate” is opened by the activity of pain signals traveling up small nerve fibers and is closed by large activity in larger fibers or by information coming from the brain
Sensory Interaction
The principal that one sense may influence another, and when the smell of food influences its taste
Embodied Cognition
In psychological science, the influence of bodily sensations, gestures, and other states on cognitive preferences and judgements
Kinesthesis
The system for sensing the position and moment of individual body parts
Learning
The process of acquiring new relatively enduring information behaviors
Associative Learning
Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or response and its consequences ( as in operant conditioning)
Stimulis
Any event or situation that evokes response
Cognitive Learning
The acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language
Classical Conditioning
A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate others
Behaviorism
The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with 1 and not 2
Neutral Stimulus (NS)
In classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning
Unconditioned Response (UR)
In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salvation) to an Unconditioned Stimulus (US) (such as food in the mouth)
Unconditioned Stimulis (US)
In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally- naturally and automatically- trigger a response (UR)
Conditioned Response (CR)
In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditional) stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an Unconditioned Stimulus (US) comes to trigger a Conditioned Response (CR)
Acquisition
In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neural stimulus and unconditioned stimulus so that the neural stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response
Higher-Order Conditioning
A procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with new neural stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus
Extinction
The diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced
Spontaneous Recovery
The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response
Generalization
The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses
Discrimination
A classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus
Operant Conditioning
The type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher
Law of Effect
Thorndike’s principal that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed unfavorable consequences become less likely
Operant Chamber
In operant conditioning research, a chamber (also known as Skinner box) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animals rate of bar pressing or key pecking
Reinforcement
In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows
Shaping
In coherent conditioning, procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior
Positive Reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers; Reinforcement that strengthens the response
Negative Reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli; not punishment
Primary Reinforcer
An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
Conditioned Reinforcer
A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with primary reinforcer; aka secondary reinforcer
Reinforcement Schedule
A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced
Continuous Reinforcement
Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement
Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement
Fixed-Ratio Schedule
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
Variable-Ratio Schedule
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses
Fixed-Interval Schedule
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
Variable-Interval Schedule
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
Respondent Behavior
Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimuli
Operant Behavior
Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences
Cognitive Map
A mental representation of the layout of ones environment
Latent Learning
Learning hat occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
Intrinsic Motivation
A desire to perform a behavior effectively of its own sake
Extrinsic Motivation
A desire to preform a behavior o receive promised rewards or avoid threshold punishment
Observational Learning
Learning by observing others
Modeling
The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior
Mirror Neurons
Frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when preforming certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brains mirroring of another’s actions may enables imitation and empathy
Prosocial Behavior
Positive, constructive, helpful behavior; opposite of antisocial behavior
