Chapter 8 Flashcards
Associative Learning
Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and it’s consequences (as in operant conditioning)
Learning
A relatively permanent change in an organisms behavior due to experience
Classical Conditioning
A type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neural stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (US) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus. Also called Pavlovian or respondent learning.
Behaviorism
The view that psychology (1) should be objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2)
Ivan Pavlov
Russian psychologist, studied digestive system of dogs
Unconditioned Stimulus (US)
(Produces a response without prior learning) In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers a response
Unconditioned Response (UR)
(Unlearned response that is automatically associated with the unconditioned stimulus) in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth
Neutral Stimulus
Stimulus that does not elicit any response
Conditioned Stimulis
(Previously the neutral stimulus that elicits the conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned response) in classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response
Conditioned Response
(Learned response to the conditioned stimulus) In classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS)
Acquisition
The initial stage in classical conditioning; the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response
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
In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus
John Garcia
Challenged the idea that any associations can be learned equally well, researched the effects of radiation on laboratory animals
Taste Aversion
Acquisition only takes one time because the response is so strong
Operant Conditioning
A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher
Respondent Behavior
Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to stimulus; Skinner’s term for behavior learned through classical conditioning
Operant Behavior
Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences
B.F. Skinner
Modern behaviorism’s most influential and controversial figure, developed “behavior technology” that revealed principles of behavior control (operant chamber)
Edward L. Thorndike
Invented law of effect
Law of Effect
Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely
Operant Chamber
A chamber also known as a Skinner box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research
