Learning Flashcards
learning
enduring changes in behavior that occur with experience.
association
process by which two pieces of information from the environment are repeatedly linked so that we begin to connect them in our minds.
conditioning
a form of associative learning in which behaviors are triggered by associations with events in the environment.
classical conditioning
form of associative learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus to which one has an automatic, inborn response.
unconditioned response (UCR)
the natural automatic, inborn reaction to a stimulus.
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
the environmental input that always produces the same unlearned response.
conditioned stimulus (CS)
a previously neutral input that an organism learns to associate with the UCS.
conditioned response (CR)
a behavior that an organism learns to perform when presented with the CS.
stimulus generalization
extension of the association between UCS and CS to include a broad array of similar stimuli.
stimulus discrimination
restriction of a CR (such as salivation) to only the exact CS to which it was conditioned.
extinction
the weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response in the absence of reinforcement.
spontaneous recovery
the sudden reappearance of an extinguished response.
law of effect
the consequences of a behavior increase (or decrease) the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.
operant conditioning
the process of changing behavior by manipulating the consequences of that behavior.
reinforcer
an internal or external event that increases the frequency of a behavior.
primary reinforcers
innate, unlearned reinforcers that satisfy biological needs (such as food, water, or sex).
secondary (or conditioned) reinforcers
reinforcers that are learned by association, usually via classical conditioning (such as money, grades, and peer approval).
positive reinforcement
the presentation or addition of a stimulus after a behavior occurs that increases how often that behavior will occur.
negative reinforcement
removal of a stimulus after a behavior to increase the frequency of that behavior.
punishment
stimulus that decreases the frequency of a behavior.
positive punishment
the addition of a stimulus that decreases behavior.
negative punishment
the removal of a stimulus to decrease behavior.
Skinner box
simple chamber used for operant conditioning of small animals.
shaping
the reinforcement of successive approximations of a desired behavior.
continuous reinforcement
reinforcement of a behavior every time it occurs.
intermittent reinforcement
reinforcement of a behavior—but not after every response. Strongest behavioral response.
schedules of reinforcement
patterns of intermittent reinforcement distinguished by whether reinforcement occurs after a set number of responses or after a certain amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement.
fixed ratio (FR) schedule
pattern of intermittent reinforcement in which reinforcement follows a set number of responses.
variable ratio (VR) schedule
a pattern of intermittent reinforcement in which the number of responses needed for reinforcement changes.
fixed interval (FI) schedule
pattern of intermittent reinforcement in which responses are always reinforced after a set period of time has passed.
variable interval (VI) schedule
a pattern of intermittent reinforcement in which responses are reinforced after time periods of different duration have passed.
conditioned taste aversion
the learned avoidance of a particular taste or food.
instinctive drift
learned behavior that shifts toward instinctive, unlearned behavior tendencies.
biological constraint model
a view on learning which proposes that some behaviors are inherently more likely to be learned than others.
latent learning
learning that occurs in the absence of reinforcement and is not demonstrated until later, when reinforcement occurs.
enactive learning
learning by doing.
observational learning
learning by watching the behavior of others.
social learning theory
a description of the kind of learning that occurs when we model or imitate the behavior of others.
modeling
the imitation of behaviors performed by others.
imprinting
the rapid and innate learning of the characteristics of a caregiver very soon after birth.
ethology
the scientific study of animal behavior.
behavior modification
principles of operant conditioning used to change behavior.
Neural Growth
Stimulating the growth of neurons by being in an enriched environment that continues to have new and Novel forms of simulation.
