Chapter 7 Flashcards
What is learning?
A lasting change as a result of practice, study, or experience; inferred from behavior.
Define associative learning.
A change resulting from experience where two or more stimuli become linked.
Define non-associative learning.
Learning without forming associations between stimuli; a change due to a single sensory cue.
What is habituation?
Weakening of response to a stimulus after repeated presentations.
What is dishabituation?
Recovery of attention to a novel stimulus following habituation.
What is sensitization?
An exaggerated response to a subsequent weaker stimulus after a strong initial stimulus.
What is classical conditioning?
Learning where two stimuli are associated; discovered by Ivan Pavlov.
Define unconditioned stimulus (US).
A stimulus that elicits a response on its own, e.g., food.
Define unconditioned response (UR).
A response elicited by the US that does not need to be learned, e.g., salivation.
Define conditioned stimulus (CS).
A neutral stimulus that elicits the same response as the US after pairing, e.g., bell.
Define conditioned response (CR).
A response elicited by the CS, usually similar to the UR, e.g., salivation.
What is acquisition in classical conditioning?
Initial learning of the stimulus-response relationship, often strongest with a short delay between CS and US.
What is extinction in classical conditioning?
Reduction of a conditioned response after repeated presentations of the CS alone.
What is spontaneous recovery?
Re-emergence of a conditioned response some time after extinction.
Define stimulus generalization.
When similar stimuli elicit the same response as a conditioned stimulus.
Define stimulus discrimination.
Learning to emit a specific behavior in response to one stimulus, but not to similar stimuli.
What is higher-order conditioning?
A previously conditioned stimulus functions as if it were an unconditioned stimulus for further conditioning.
What is operant conditioning?
Learning where behavior is modified depending on its consequences.
Define the law of effect.
Behaviors leading to rewards are likely to occur again, while those leading to unpleasantness are less likely to reoccur.
What is positive reinforcement?
Presentation of a pleasant consequence to increase the likelihood of behavior reoccurring.
What is negative reinforcement?
Removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of behavior reoccurring.
Define positive punishment.
Presentation of an unpleasant consequence to decrease the likelihood of behavior reoccurring.
Define negative punishment.
Removal of a pleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of behavior reoccurring.
What is a primary reinforcer?
A stimulus that has survival value and is inherently rewarding, e.g., food, water.
What is a secondary reinforcer?
A neutral stimulus that becomes rewarding when associated with a primary reinforcer, e.g., money.
What is a primary punisher?
A naturally aversive stimulus, e.g., pain.
What is a secondary punisher?
A stimulus that becomes aversive when associated with a primary punisher, e.g., disapproval.
Define continuous reinforcement.
Behavior is reinforced every time it occurs; training is quicker but extinction is easier.
What is intermittent reinforcement?
Behavior is reinforced only part of the time, making it harder to extinguish.
What is a fixed ratio schedule?
Reinforcement after a fixed number of responses; produces high response rate with pauses.
What is a variable ratio schedule?
Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses; produces a steady response rate.
Define fixed interval schedule.
Reinforcement after a fixed time has passed.
Define variable interval schedule.
Reinforcement after varying lengths of time; produces steady response rate.
What is observational learning?
Learning by watching the behavior of others without direct training.
What is modeling?
Learning by observing and imitating the behavior of others.
What is vicarious learning?
Learning by observing the consequences of another’s behavior and deciding whether to replicate it.
Define implicit learning.
Learning information without conscious awareness, such as learning to talk or walk.
Define latent learning.
Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is used later, not as a result of conditioning.
What is insight learning?
A sudden realization of a solution to a problem, leading to understanding new concepts.
