Learning Flashcards
Classical conditioning
learning to make a reflex response to a stimulus other than the original, natural stimulus that normally produces the reflex
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
a naturally occurring stimulus that leads to an involuntary response
Unconditioned response (UCR)
an involuntary response to a naturally occurring or unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned stimulus (CS)
stimulus that becomes able to produce a learned reflex response by being paired with the original unconditioned stimulus
Neutral stimulus (NS)
can become a conditioned stimulus when paired with an unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned response (CR)
learned reflex response to a conditioned stimulus
Acquisition
the repeated pairing of the NS and the UCS
Stimulus generalization
The tendency to respond to a stimulus that is only similar to the original conditioned stimulus with the conditioned response
Thorndike’s Law of Effect
If a response is followed by a pleasurable consequence, it will tend to be repeated. If a response is followed by an unpleasant consequence, it will tend to not be repeated
Operant conditioning
the learning of voluntary behavior through the effects of pleasant and unpleasant consequences to responses
Reinforcement
any event or stimulus, that when following a response, increases the probability that the response will occur again
Primary reinforcer
naturally reinforcing by meting a basic biological need, such as hunger, thirst, or touch
Secondary reinforcer
becomes reinforcing after being paired with a primary reinforcer, such as praise, tokens, or gold stars
Positive reinforcement
reinforcement of a response by the addition or experiencing of a pleasurable stimulus
Negative reinforcement
the reinforcement of a response by the removal, escape from, or avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus