Chapter 7 - Learning Flashcards
Learning
The process of acquiring through experiences new and relatively enduring info or behavior
Associated learning
Learning that certain events occur together.
Stimulus
Any event or situation that evokes a response.
Cognitive learning
The acquisition of mental info, whether by observing, watching, or through language.
Classical conditioning
A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.
Behaviorism
The view that psychology should be a. Objective science that studies behavior w/o reference to mental processes.
Neutral stimulus ( NS)
In classical conditioning, an u learned, naturally occurring response ( salivating) to unconditioned stimulus ( US) ( food).
Unconditioned stimulus (US)
A stimulus that unconditional-naturally and automatically triggers a response (UR).
Conditioned response (CR)
A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus ( but now conditioned) (CS)
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
An originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association w an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response( CR).
Acquisition
In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response.
Extinction
The diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response in no longer reinforced.
Spontaneous recovery
The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished response.
Generalization
The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.
Discrimination
In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.
Operant conditioning
A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher.
Law of effect
Thorndikes principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behavior followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.
Operant chamber
In operant conditioning research, a chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcement; attached devices record the animals rate of bar pressing or key pecking.
Reinforcement
In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior or follows.
Shaping
An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforces guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desire behavior.
Positive reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
Negative reinforcement
Increasing behavior by stopping or reducing negative stimulus. Any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response( it is not a punishment)
Conditioned reinforcer
A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer.
Primary reinforcer
An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.
Continuous reinforcement
Reinforcing the desire response every time it occurs.
Reinforcement schedule
A pattern that defines how often a desire response will be reinforced.
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 elapse.
Variable-interval schedule
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.
Punishment
An event that tends to decrease the behavior it follows.
Respondent behavior
Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus.
Operant behavior
Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences.
Cognitive map
A mental representation of the layout of ones environment. Ex: after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it.
Latent learning
Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.
Extrinsic motivation
A desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment.
Intrinsic motivation
A desire to perform a behavior effectively for it own sake.
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 performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brains mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy.
Prosocial behavior
Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior.
