Learning Flashcards
Learning
Relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of experience.
Classical conditoning
When two or more stimuli are presented together; an unconditioned stimulus is paired repeatedly with a neutral stimulus until it acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response to a new stimulus.
Stimulus
A change in the environment that elicits a response.
Neutral stimulus
A stimulus that initially doesn’t elicit a response.
Unconditioned stimulus
Reflexively/automatically brings an unconditioned response.
Unconditioned response
Automatic/involuntary response to an unconditioned stimulus.
Conditioned stimulus
Initially a neutral stimulus, elicits a conditioned response when paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
Acquisition
Learning to give a known response to a new stimulus. US -> UR, NS + US -> UR, CS -> CR.
Extinction
Repeatedly presenting a conditioned response with an unconditioned stimulus leads to return of the neutral stimulus.
Spontaneous recovery
Previous conditioned stimulus elicits conditioned response after extinction.
Generalization
Stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus also elicit the conditioned response without training.
Discrimination
Ability to tell the difference between stimuli so that only the conditioned stimulus elicits the conditioned response.
Higher-order conditioning
Conditioned stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus to produce a conditioned response to the neutral stimulus.
Aversive conditioning
Learning involving an unpleasant or harmful stimulus/reinforcer.
Instrumental learning
A behavior becomes more or less probable depending on its consequences.
Law of Effect
Behaviors followed by positive consequences are strengthened while behaviors followed by negative consequences are weakened.
Operant conditioning
An active learner performs certain voluntary behavior and the consequences determine the likelihood of its re-occurrence.
Positive reinforcement
Rewarding consequence following voluntary behavior, increasing likelihood of its re-occurrence.
Primary reinforcer
Something that is biologically important and thus, rewarding.
Secondary reinforcer
Something rewarding due to being associated with a primary reinforcer.
Generalized reinforcer
Secondary reinforcer associated with a number of different primary reinforcers.
Premack principle
More probable behavior that can be used as a reinforcer for a less probable one.
Negative reinforcement
Removal of an aversive consequence that follows a voluntary behavior, increasing the probability that behavior will be repeated.
Punishment
Aversive consequence that follows a voluntary behavior, thereby decreasing the probability that behavior will be repeated.