UNIT 2 Flashcards
Learning
A systematic, relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience.
Behaviorism
A theory of learning that focuses solely on observable behaviors, discounting the importance of such mental activity as thinking, wishing, and hoping.
Associative Learning
Learning that occurs when an organism makes a connection, or an association, between two events.
Conditioning
The process of learning these associations.
Classical Conditioning
Organisms learn the association between 2 stimuli.
Operant Conditioning
Organisms learn the association between a behavior and a consequence.
Observational Learning
Learning that occurs through observing and imitating another’s behavior.
Reflexes
automatic stimulus response connections.
Unconditioned Stimulus
A stimulus that produces a response without prior learning.
Conditioned Response
The learned response to the conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus pairing.
Unconditioned Response
An unlearned reaction that is automatically elicited by the unconditioned stimulus.
Conditioned Stimulus
A previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits a conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
Acquisition
The initial learning of the connection between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus when these two stimuli are paired.
Contiguity
The conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are presented very close together in time.
Contingency
The conditioned stimulus must not only precede the Unconditioned stimulus closely in time, must serve as a reliable indicator that the unconditioned stimulus is on its way.
Generalization (Classical Conditioning)
The tendency of a new stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response that is similar to the conditioned response.
Discrimination (Classical Conditioning)
The process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not others.
Extinction (Classical Conditioning)
The weakening of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is absent.
Spontaneous Recovery
The process in classical conditioning by which a conditioned response can recur after a time delay, without further conditioning.
Counterconditioning
A classical conditioning procedure for changing a relationship between a conditioned stimulus and its conditioned response.
Aversive Conditioning
A form of treatment that consists of repeated pairings of a stimulus with a very unpleasant stimulus.
Immunosuppression
A decrease in the production of antibodies.
Taste Aversion
A special kind of classical conditioning involving the learned association between a particular taste and nausea.
Respondent Behavior
Behavior that occurs in automatic response to a stimulus, and later to a conditioned stimulus.
Law Of Effect
Thorndike’s law stating that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened and that behaviors followed by negative outcomes are weakened.
Shaping
Rewarding successive approximations of a desired behavior.
Reinforcement
The process by which a stimulus or an event following a particular behavior increases the probability that the behavior will happen again.
Positive Reinforcement
The presentation of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to increase the frequency of that behavior.
Negative Reinforcement
The removal of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to increase the frequency of that behavior.
Avoidance Learning
An organism’s learning that it can altogether avoid a negative stimulus by making a particular response.
Learned Helplessness
Through experience with unavoidable aversive stimuli, an organism learns that it has no control over negative outcomes.
Primary Reinforcer
A reinforcer that is innately satisfying; one that does not take any learning on the organism’s part to make it pleasurable.
Secondary Reinforcer
A reinforcer that acquires its positive value through an organism’s experience; a secondary reinforcer is a learned or conditioned reinforcer.
Generalization (Operant Conditioning)
Performing a reinforced behavior in a different situation.
Discrimination
An unjustified negative or harmful action toward a member of a group simply because the person belongs to that group.
Extinction (Operant Conditioning)
Decreases in frequency of behavior when the behavior is no longer reinforced.
Schedules of reinforcement
Specific patterns that determine when a behavior will be reinforced.
Fixed-Ratio Schedule
Reinforces a behavior after a set number of behaviors.
Variable- Ratio Schedule
a system in which behaviors are rewarded an average number of times but on an unpredictable basis.
Fixed-Interval Schedule
Reinforces the first behavior after a fixed amount of time has passed.
Variable-Interval Schedule
A timetable in which a behavior is reinforced after a variable amount of time has elapsed.
Punishment
A consequence that decreases the likelihood that a behavior will occur.
Positive Punishment
The presentation of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.
Negative Punishment
The removal of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.
Delay of Gratification
Putting off the pleasure of an immediate reward in order to gain a larger, later reward.
Behavior Modification
The Use of operant conditioning principles to change human behavior.
Retention
Remember information
Motor Reproduction
Imitating a model’s actions.
Vicarious Reinforcement
Seeing a model attain an award for an activity increases the chances that the observer will repeat the behavior.
Vicarious Punishment
Seeing the model punished makes the observer less likely to repeat the behavior.
Purposiveness of Behavior
The idea that much of behavior is goal-directed.
Latent Learning
Unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behavior.
Insight Learning
A form of problem solving in which the organism develops a sudden insight into or understanding of a problem’s solution.
Instinctive Drift
The tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behavior that interferes with learning.
Preparedness
The species-specific biological predisposition to learn in certain ways but not others.
Learning Styles
People differ in terms of the method of instruction that will be most effective for them.
Health Psychology
A subfield of psychology that emphasizes psychology’s role in establishing and maintaining health and preventing and treating illness.
Behavioral Medicine
An interdisciplinary field that focuses on developing and integrating behavior biomedical knowledge to promote health and reduce illness. Overlaps with and is sometimes indistinguishable from health psychology.
Health Promotion
Helping people change their lifestyle to optimize their health assisting them in achieving balance.
Public Health
Concerned with studying health and disease in large populations to guide policymakers.
Health Behaviors
Practices that have an impact on physical well being.
Theory of Reasoned Action
Theoretical Model Stating that effective change requires individuals to have specific intentions about their behaviors, as well as positive attitudes about a new behavior, and to perceive that their social group looks positively on the new behavior as well.
Theory of Planned Behavior
Theoretical model that includes the basic ideas of the theory of reasoned action but adds the person’s perceptions of control over the outcome.
Stages of Change Model
Theoretical model describing a 5 step process by which individuals give up bad habits and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Precontemplation
Individuals are not yet ready to think about changing and may not be aware that they have a problem that needs to be changed.
Contemplation
Individuals acknowledge that they have a problem but may not be yet ready to change.
Preparation
Individuals are preparing to take action.
Action
Individuals commit to making a behavioral change and enact a plan.
Maintenance
Individuals are successful in continuing their behavior change over time.