learning Flashcards
phobias
irrational fears of specific objects or situations
classical conditioning
type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus
unconditioned stimulus
a stimulus that evokes an unconditional response without previous conditioning
unconditioned response
unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus that occurs without previous conditioning
conditioned stimulus
previously neutral stimulus that has, through conditioning, acquired the capacity to evoke a conditioned response
conditioned response
learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus that occurs because of previous conditioning
elicited
drawn forth
classically conditioned responses have traditionally been described as reflexes because most are relatively automatic or involuntary
trial
in classical conditioning consists of any presentation of a stimulus or a pair of stimuli
evaluative conditioning
changes in the liking of a stimulus that result from pairing that stimulus with other positive or negative stimuli
acquisition
initial stage of learning something
extinction
gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response tendency
spontaneous recovery
reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of nonexposure to the conditioned stimulus
renewal effect
if a response is extinguished in a different environment than where it was acquired, the extinguished response will appear if the animal is returned to the original environment where acquisition took place
stimulus generalization
an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus responds in the same way to a new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus
stimulus discrimination
an organism that has learned a response to a specific stimulus does not respond in the same way to new stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus
higher order conditioning
a conditioned stimulus functions as if it were an unconditioned stimulus
operant conditioning
a form of learning in which responses come to be controlled by their consequences
reinforcement
occurs when an event following a response increases an organism’s tendency to make that response
operant chamber or skinner box
a small enclosure in which an animal can make a specific response that is recorded while the consequences of the response are systematically controlled
emit
send forth
reinforcement contingencies
circumstances or rules that determine whether responses lead to the presentation of reinforcers
cumulative recorder
creates a graphic record of responding and reinforcement in a skinner box as a function of time
primary reinforcers
events that are inherently reinforcing because they satisfy biological needs
secondary or conditioned reinforcers
events that acquire reinforcing qualities by being associated with primary reinforcers
shaping
consists of repeatedly reinforcing closer and closer approximations of a desired response until the desired response is achieved
resistance to extinction
an organism continues to make a response after delivery of the reinforcer has been terminated
discriminative stimuli
cues that influence operant behavior by indicating the probably consequences of a response
schedule of reinforcement
determines which occurrences of a specific response result in the presentation of a reinforcement
continuous reinforcement
occurs when every instance of a designated response is reinforced
intermittent or partial reinforcement
occurs when a designated response is reinforced only some of the time
fixed ratio schedule
reinforcer is given after a fixed number of nonreinforced responses
variable schedule ratio
reinforcer is given after a variable number of nonreinforced responses
fixed interval schedule
reinforcer is given for the first response that occurs after a fixed time interval has elapsed
variable interval schedule
reinforcer given for the first response after a variable time interval has elapsed
positive reinforcement
response is strengthened because it is followed by presentation of a rewarding stimulus
negative reinforcement
response is strengthened because it is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus
escape learning
an organism acquires a response that decreases or ends some aversive stimulation
avoidance learning
an organism acquires a response that prevents some aversive stimulation from occurring
punishment
occurs when an event following a response weakens the tendency to make that response
latent learning
learning that is not apparent from behavior when it first occurs
observational learning
occurs when an organism’s responding is influenced by the observation of others who are called models
behavior modifiation
systematic approach to changing behavior through the application of the principles of conditioning
behavioral contract
a written agreement outlining a promise to adhere to the contingencies of a behavior modification program
learning
any relatively durable change in behavior or knowledge that is due to experience
