Unit 4 Learning Flashcards
Acquisition
classical conditioning: the initial stage when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus conditioned a response
operant conditioning: strengthening of a reinforced response
Behaviorism
the view that psychology should be an objective science, studying behavior without reference to mental processes
Biofeedback
a system for electronically recording amplifying, and fading back information regarding a subtle psychological state, such as blood pressure or muscle tension
Classical conditioning
a type of learning in which we link two or more stimuli; as a result to illustrate with Pavlov’s classic experiment, the first stimulus tone comes to elicit behavior drooling in anticipation
Cognitive map
a mental representation of the layout of one environment
Conditioned Response
in classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral response
Conditioned Stimulus
in classical conditioning, an originally neutral stimulus that after association with an unconditioned stimulus comes to trigger a conditioned response
Continuous Reinforcement
reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
Discrimination
classical conditioning: the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and a similar stimulus that does not signal an unconditioned stimulus
Operant Conditioning: distinguish responses reinforced from similar responses that aren’t reinforced
Extinction
the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response in longer reinforced
Extrinsic Motivation
a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment
Fixed-Interval Schedule
in operant conditioning a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
Fixed-Ratio Schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
Generalization
the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses
operant conditioning: occurs when responses learned in one situation occur in another
Intrinsic Motivation
a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake
Latent Learning
learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
Law of Effect
behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely
Learned Helplessness
the hopelessness and passive resignation and animal or person learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events
Mirror Neurons
frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when we perform certain actions or observe another doing so
Modeling
the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior
Negative Reinforcement
increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing adverse stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response strengthens the response
Observational learning/Social Learning
learning by observing others
Operant Conditioning
a type of learning in which a behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcer or less likely to recur if followed by a punishment
Overjustification Effect
The overjustification effect occurs when an external incentive decreases a person’s intrinsic motivation to perform a behavior or participate in an activity
Partial Reinforcement
reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition at a response but much greater resistance
Positive Reinforcement
increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that when presented after a response, strengthens the response
Primary reinforcer
an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies biological needs
shaping
an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximation of the desired behavior
Spontaneous Recovery
the reappearance after a pause of an extinguished conditioned response
Unconditioned Response
in classical conditioning, an unlearned naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus
Unconditioned Stimulus
in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally naturally and automatically triggers an unconditioned response
Variable-Interval Schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
Variable-Ratio Schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses
