Myers, Psychology in everyday life chapter 6

learning

a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience

Associative learning

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).

Stimulus

any event or situation that evokes a response

cognitive learning

the acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language

classical conditioning

a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events

neutral stimulus

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning (NS)

unconditioned response

in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth. (UR)

unconditioned stimulus

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers a response. (US)

conditioned response

in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS). (CR)

conditioned stimulus

in classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response. (CS)

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 conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response.

extinction

the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when a unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant condition 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

operant conditioning

a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

operant chamber

a box (also known as a Skinner box) with an attached recording device to track the rate at which an animal presses the box's bar to obtain a reinforcer. used in operant conditioning

reinforcement

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

shaping

an operant conditioning technique in which reinforces guide behavior to closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

positive reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food.

negative reinforcement

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A (blank) is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response

primary reinforcer

an event that is innately reinforcing, often by satisfying a biological need

conditioned reinforcer

an event that gains its reinforcing power through its link with a primary reinforcer

reinforcement schedule

a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

continuous reinforcement

the reinforcement of a 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 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

an event that decreases the behavior that it follows

positive punishment

The application of an aversive stimulus after a response.

negative punishment

punishment where you withdraw a desirable stimulus

respondent behavior

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

operant behavior

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

cognitive map

a mental image of the layout of ones environment

latent learning

learning that occurs but is not apparent until the learner has an incentive to demonstrate it

intrinsic motivation

A desire to perform a behavior for its own sake

extrinsic motivation

a desire to perform a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment

observational learning

learning by observing others

modeling

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

mirror neuron

neuron that fires when we perform certain actions and when we observe others performing those actions; neural basis for imitation and observational learning

pro social behavior

positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior