Unit 6 Vocab Flashcards
Learning
A relatively permanent change in organisms behavior due to experience
Habituation
An organisms decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it
Associative learning
Learning that certain events occur together. The events maybe to stimuli or a response and its consequences
Classical conditioning
A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events
Behaviorism
The view that psychology number one. Should be an objective science that number two. Studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologist today agree with number one but not with number two
Unconditioned Response (UR)
In classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus, such as salvation whenfood is in the mouth
Unconditioned Stimulus (US)
In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally, naturally and automatically, triggers a response.
Conditioned Response (CR)
In classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral but now condition stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus
In classical conditioning, and originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response
Acquisition
In classical conditioning, the initial stage, 11 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.
Higher-order conditioning
The procedure in which the condition stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second, often weaker, condition stimulus. For example an animal that has learned today that a tone predicts food might then learned that a light predicts the tone and begin responding to the light alone.
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 is no longer reinforced
Spontaneous Recovery
The reappearance, after 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 and unconditioned stimulus
Learned Helplessness
The hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events
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 of effect
Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely
Operant chamber
In operant conditioning research, a chamber, also known as a skinner box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animals rate of bar pressing or key pecking
Shaping
And operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior
Discriminative Stimulus
In operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement
Reinforcer
In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows
Positive reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after response, strengthens that response
Negative Reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after response, strengthens the response.
Primary reinforcer
And innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
Conditioned Reinforcer
A stimulus that games it’s 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 (intermittent) Reinforcement
Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results and slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement
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
And event that decreases the behavior that it follows
Cognitive Map
A mental representation of the layout of one’s environment. For example, after exploring a maze, right act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it
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
Biofeedback
A system for electronically recording, amplifying, and feeling back information regarding a subtle physiological state, such as blood pressure or muscle tension
Observational Learning
Learning by observing others.
Modeling
The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior
Mirror Neurons
Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing others doing so. The brains mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy
Pro social Behavior
Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior
