Learning (5) Flashcards
Acquisition
The gradual formation of an association between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli.
associative learning
Linking two stimuli or events that occur together.
behaviorism
A psychological approach that emphasizes environmental influences on observable behaviors.
classical conditioning (Pavlovian conditioning)
A type of associative learning in which a neutral stimulus comes to elicit a response when it is associated with a stimulus that already produces that response.
conditioned response (CR)
A response to a conditioned stimulus; a response that has been learned.
conditioned stimulus (CS)
A stimulus that elicits a response only after learning has taken place.
continuous reinforcement
A type of learning in which behavior is reinforced each time it occurs.
equipotentiality
The principle that any conditioned stimulus paired with any unconditioned stimulus should result in learning.
extinction
A process in which the conditioned response is weakened when the conditioned stimulus is repeated without the unconditioned stimulus.
fear conditioning
A type of classical conditioning that turns neutral stimuli into threatening stimuli.
habituation
A decrease in behavioral response after repeated exposure to a stimulus.
instructed learning
Learning associations and behaviors through verbal communication.
law of effect
Thorndike’s general theory of learning: Any behavior that leads to a “satisfying state of affairs” is likely to occur again, and any behavior that leads to an “annoying state of affairs” is less likely to occur again. Or, the likelihood of the occurrence of a behavior is influenced by its consequences.
learning
A relatively enduring change in behavior resulting from experience.
modeling
The imitation of observed behavior.
negative punishment
The removal of a stimulus to decrease the probability of a behavior’s recurrence.
negative reinforcement
The removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the probability of a behavior’s recurrence.
nonassociative learning
Responding after repeated exposure to a single stimulus or event.
operant conditioning (instrumental conditioning)
A learning process in which the consequences of an action determine the likelihood that it will be performed in the future.
partial reinforcement
A type of learning in which behavior is reinforced intermittently.
partial-reinforcement extinction effect
The greater persistence of behavior under partial reinforcement than under continuous reinforcement.
phobia
An acquired fear that is out of proportion to the real threat of an object or a situation.
positive punishment
The administration of a stimulus to decrease the probability of a behavior’s recurrence.
positive reinforcement
The administration of a stimulus to increase the probability of a behavior’s recurrence.
punishment
A stimulus that follows a behavior and decreases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.
reinforcer
A stimulus that follows a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated.
Rescorla-Wagner model
A cognitive model of classical conditioning; it holds that learning is determined by the extent to which an unconditioned stimulus is unexpected or surprising.
sensitization
An increase in behavioral response after exposure to a stimulus.
shaping
A process of operant conditioning; it involves reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior.
social learning
Acquiring or changing a behavior after verbal instruction or exposure to another individual performing that behavior.
spontaneous recovery
When a previously extinguished conditioned response reemerges after the presentation of the conditioned stimulus.
stimulus discrimination
A differentiation between two similar stimuli when only one of them is consistently associated with the unconditioned stimulus.
stimulus generalization
Learning that occurs when stimuli that are similar but not identical to the conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response.
temporal discounting
The tendency to discount the subjective value of a reward when it is given after a delay.
unconditioned response (UR)
A response that does not have to be learned, such as a reflex.
unconditioned stimulus (US)
A stimulus that elicits a response, such as a reflex, without any prior learning.
vicarious learning
Learning the consequences of an action by watching others being rewarded or punished for performing the action.
