unit 4 vocab Flashcards
the process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors
learning
decreasing responsiveness with repeated exposure to a stimulus
habituation
learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequences (as in operant conditioning).
associative learning
any event or situation that evokes a response
stimulus
behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus
respondent behavior
behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences
operant behavior
the acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language
cognitive behavior
a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli
classical conditioning
the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).
behaviorism
in classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning
neutral stimulus
in classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus
unconditioned response
in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers a response.
unconditioned stimulus
a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus
conditioned response
in classical conditioning, an originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response
conditioned stimulus
In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response.
acquisition
a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus. For example, an animal that has learned that a tone predicts food might then learn that a light predicts the tone and begin responding to the light alone. (Also called second-order conditioning.)
higher order conditoning
the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.
extinction
the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response
spontaneous recovery
the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses
generalization
in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus
discrimination
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 punisher
operant conditioning
Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely
law of effect
in operant conditioning research, a chamber (also known as a Skinner box) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking.
operant chamber
in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows
reinforcement
an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior
shaping
in operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement (in contrast to related stimuli not associated with reinforcement)
discriminative stimulus
increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
positive reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing aversive stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.
negative reinforcement
an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
primary reinforcer
a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer
conditioned reinforcer
a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced
reinforcement schedule
reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
continuous reinforcement schedule
reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement
partial reinforcement schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
fixed ratio schedule
a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses
variable ratio schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
fixed interval schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
variable interval schedule
an event that tends to decrease the behavior that it follows
punishment
a system for electronically recording, amplifying, and feeding back information regarding a subtle physiological state, such as blood pressure or muscle tension
biofeedback
a biological predisposition to learn associations, such as between taste and nausea, that have survival value
preparedness
the tendency of learned behavior to gradually revert to biologically predisposed patterns
instinctive drift
a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment
cognitive map
learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
latent learning
a sudden realization of a problem’s solution
insight
a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake
intrinsic motivation
a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment
extrinsic motivation
Attempting to alleviate stress directly by changing the stressor or the way we interact with that stressor.
problem focused coping
attempting to alleviate stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor and attending to emotional needs related to one’s stress reaction
emotion based coping
our sense of controlling our environment rather than feeling helpless
personal control
the hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events
learned helplessness
the perception that chance or outside forces beyond your personal control determine your fate.
external locus of control
the perception that we control our own fate
internal locus of control
the ability to control impulses and delay short-term gratification for greater long-term rewards
self control
learning by observing others
observational learning
the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior
modeling
frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain’s mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy
mirror neurons
positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior
prosocial behavior
