Learning (Chapter 6) Flashcards
A systematic, relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience.
Learning
Theory of learning that focuses solely on observable behaviors, discounting the importance such mental activity as thinking, wishing, and hoping
Behaviorism
Learning that occurs when a person observes & imitates another’s behavior
Observational Learning
Learning that occurs when one make’s a connection between two events
Associative Learning
Learn the association between 2 stimuli; as a result of this association, learn to anticipate events
EX: Lightning –> Thunder
Classical Conditioning
Learn an association between a behavior and a consequence; reward or punishment.
Operant Conditioning
Learning that occurs when a person observes and imitates another’s behavior
Observational Learning
Belief that much of behavior is goal-directed
Purposive Behavior
Unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behavior
Latent Learning
Form of problem-solving in which one develops a sudden insight into or understanding of a problem’s solution
Insight Learning
Learning by which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response.
Ex: Pavlov’s dogs
Classical Conditioning
The initial learning of the connection between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus when these two stimulus are paired.
EX: Timing - bell and food
Aqcuisition
Tendency of a new stimulus that is similar to the original stimulus to elicit a response that is similar to the conditioned response.
EX: fear of bees –> fear of all bugs
Generalization
Process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not to others
EX: Learn not to fear all bugs
Discrimination
The weakening of the conditioned response in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus
EX: Fear of bees diminishes when not stung
Extinction
Conditioned response can recur after a time delay without further conditioning
Spontaneous Recovery
Changing the relationship between a conditioned stimulus and its conditioned response
Counterconditioning
Learned association between a particular taste and nausea
Taste Aversion
Form of associative learning in which the consequences of behavior produce changes in the probability of the behavior’s occurrence.
Operant Conditioning
Type of conditioning developed by B. F. Skinner
Operant Conditioning
Power of consequences in voluntary behavior
Thorndike’s Law of Effect
The process of rewarding approximations of desired behavior
Shaping
The process by which rewarding stimulus or events following a particular behavior increases the probability that the behavior will happen again
Reinforcement
The Presentation of a stimulus (reward) following a given behavior in order to increase the frequency of the behavior
EX: Money, candy, attention
Positive Reinforcement
The removal of an unpleasant stimulus following a given behavior in order to increase the frequency of the behavior.
EX: Changing a diaper, No homework
Negative reinforcement
Involves the use of reinforcers that are innately satisfying; no learning is required on one’s part to make them pleasurable
EX: Food, water, sex
Primary reinforcement
Involves the use of reinforcers that are learned or conditioned through experiences; a reinforcer that acquired its positive value through experience.
Ex: Priveleges and money
Secondary reinforcement
Specific patterns that determine when a behavior will be reinforced
Schedules of reinforcement (fixed or variable)
Learning to avoid a negative stimulus by making a particular response.
Ex: Electric fence
Avoidance Learning
Learning through experience with negative stimuli that one has no control over negative outcomes.
Ex: remain in a violent relationship
Learned helplessness
Consequence that decreases the likelihood that a behavior will occur
Punishment
The presentation of an unpleasant stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior
Ex: Spanking, more chores
Positive Punishment
Removal of a positive stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.
Ex: Taking away phone, timeout
Negative Punishment
Application of operant conditioning principles to change human behavior.
Applied Behavior Analysis
The stimulus that produces a response without prior learning
Unconditioned Stimulus
Unlearned reaction that is automatically elicited by the UCS
Unconditioned response
A previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits the conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus
The learned response to the conditioned stimulus that occurs after the CS-UCS pairing
Conditioned Response
