Learning Flashcards
stimulus
any event or situation that evokes a response.
discrimination
in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.
unconditioned response (UR)
in classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditioned stimulus (US) (such as food in the mouth).
higher-order conditioning
a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus.
shaping
an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.
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.
reinforcement
in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.
operant behavior
behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences.
fixed-ratio schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.
respondent behavior
behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus.
observational learning
learning by observing others.
negative reinforcement
increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.)
extrinsic motivation
a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment.
generalization
the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.
intrinsic motivation
a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake.
primary reinforcer
an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.
classical conditioning
a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.
cognitive map
a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. For example, after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it.
positive reinforcement
increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
reinforcement schedule
a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced.
modeling
the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.
associative learning
learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequences (as in operant conditioning).
spontaneous recovery
the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.
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.
