Unit 6: Learning Flashcards
Learning
a relatively permanent change in an organism’s behavior due to experience
Habituation
an organism’s decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it
Associated learning
learning that certain events occur together
Classical conditioning
type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events
Behaviourism
the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes
Unconditioned response
in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus such as salivation when food is in the mouth
Unconditioned stimulus
in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers a response
Conditioned response
in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus
Conditioned stimulus
in classical conditioning an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response
Acquisition
in classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditional response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response.
Higher order conditioning
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
Extinction
the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditional stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced
Spontaneous recovery
the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response
Generalization
the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses
Discrimination
in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus
Learned helplessness
the hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events
Biopsychosocial influences on learning
Today’s learning therapists recognize that our learning results not only from cognitive and biological influences
Romantic red
In a series of experiments that controlled for other factors (such as the brightness of the image), men found women more attractive when framed in red
Pavlov’s work
It shows the way all organisms can adapt to their environment. It shows learning can be studied objectively.
Drug users and cravings
former drug users often feel a craving when they are again in the drug-using context (people and places associated with their drug use.)
Taste
when a particular taste accompanies a drug that influences immune responses, the taste itself may come to produce an immune response
Respondent behavior
behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus
Operant conditioning
a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher
Operant behavior
behavior that operates on the environment producing consequences
Law effect
Edward Thorndike’s principle that behavior followed by favourable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavourable consequences become less likely
Operant chamber
in operant conditioning research, a chamber (also known as a Skinner box) containing a bar or keg that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer
Shaping
an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior
Reinforcer
in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows
Positive reinforcement
increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food, after a response
Negative reinforcement
increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing a negative stimuli, such as shock.
Primary reinforcer
an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
Conditional reinforcer
a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer
Continuous reinforcement
reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
Partial reinforcement
reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater chance of long term success
Fixed-ratio schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
Variable-ratio schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses
Fixed-interval schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
Variable-interval schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
Punishment
an event that decreases the behavior that it follows
Cognitive map
a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. Rats + maze
Latent learning
learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
Insight
a sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem
Intrinsic motivation
a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake
Extrinsic motivation
a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment
B.F Skinner
repeatedly insisted that external influences (not internal thoughts and feelings) shape behavior
Observational learning
learning by observing others. It is also called social learning.
Modeling
the process of observing and initiating a specific behavior
Mirror neurons
frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain’s mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy.
Bandura’s experiments
Beating up Bobo. The experiment revealed that children imitate the aggressive behavior of adults. The findings support Bandura’s social learning theory, which emphasises the influence of observational learning on behavior.
Prosocial behavior
positive constructive helpful behavior.
*The opposite of antisocial behavior
