Learning Flashcards
the modification of preexisting behavior and understanding
learning
a procedure in which a neutral stimulus is paired with a stimulus that triggers a reflexive response until the neutral stimulus alone triggers a similar response
classical conditioning
a stimulus that triggers a response without conditioning
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
the automatic, unlearned, reflexive response to a stimulus
unconditioned response (UCR)
an originally neutral stimulus that now triggers a conditioned response
conditioned stimulus (CS)
the response triggered by the conditioned stimulus
conditioned response (CR)
the gradual disappearance of a conditioned response
extinction
the relearning of a conditioned response after extinction
reconditioning
the temporary reappearance of a conditioned response after extinction
spontaneous recovery
a process in which a conditioned response is triggered by stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus
stimulus generalization
a process through which people learn to differentiate among similar stimuli and respond appropriately to each one
stimulus discrimination
a process through which a conditioned stimulus comes to signal another conditioned stimulus that is already associated with an unconditioned stimulus
higher order conditioning
reduced responsiveness to a repeated stimulus
habituation
a law stating that if a response is made in the presence of a particular stimulus is rewarded, the same response is more likely to occur when that stimulus is encountered again
law of effect
a process in which responses are learned on the basis of their rewarding or punishing consequences
operant conditioning
a response that has some effect on the world
operant
a stimulus event that increases the probability that the response immediately preceding it will occur again
reinforcer
stimuli that strengthen a response if they follow that response
positive reinforcers
the removal of unpleasant stimuli
negative reinforcers
the process through which a particular response is made more likely to occur
reinforcement
the reinforcement of responses that come increasingly closer to some desired response
shaping
events or stimuli that satisfy physiological needs basic to survival
primary reinforcers
rewards that people or animals learn to like
secondary reinforcers
in operant conditioning, rules that determine how and when certain responses will be reinforced
reinforcement schedules
a phenomenon in which behaviors learned under a partial reinforcement schedule are more difficult to extinguish than those learned on a continuous reinforcement schedule
partial reinforcement effect
the presentation of an aversive stimulus or the removal of a pleasant one following some behavior
punishment
a process in which a person or animal stops trying to exert control after experience suggests that no control is possible
learned helplessness
learning by watching the behavior of others
observational learning (social learning)
