AP Psych Unit 3.1- Vocab Quiz #1

classical conditioning

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

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.

spontaneous recovery

the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response

higher-order conditioning

occurs when a strong conditioned stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus, causing the neutral stimulus to become a second conditioned stimulus

counterconditioning

a behavior therapy procedure that uses classical conditioning to evoke new responses to stimuli that are triggering unwanted behaviors; includes exposure therapies and aversive conditioning

biological preparedness

a propensity for learning particular kinds of associations over others

Habituation

an organism's decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it

primary reinforcer

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need

continuous reinforcement

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Shaping

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

instinctive drift

tendency for animals to return to innate behaviors following repeated reinforcement

superstitious behavior

a behavior repeated because it seems to produce reinforcement, even though it is actually unnecessary

social learning theory

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

vicarious conditioning

classical conditioning of a reflex response or emotion by watching the reaction of another person

insight learning

The process of learning how to solve a problem or do something new by applying what is already known

cognitive maps

An internal representation of the spatial relationships between objects in an animal's surroundings.

Behavioral perspective

An approach to the study of psychology that focuses on the role of learning in explaining observable behavior.

fixed interval

reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed

Scalloped graph

The graphed pattern of a fixed interval reinforcement schedule

Association

The basis of all learning is in what two things we group together, and how that triggers a response.

associative learning

linking two stimuli, or events, that occur together

unconditioned stimulus

A stimulus that evokes an unconditioned response without previous conditioning

unconditioned response

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

conditioned response

a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

conditioned stimulus

a stimulus that elicits a response only after learning has taken place

Extinction

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.

stimulus discrimination

a differentiation between two similar stimuli when only one of them is consistently associated with the unconditioned stimulus

stimulus generalization

the tendency to respond to a stimulus that is only similar to the original conditioned stimulus with the conditioned response

taste aversion

a learned avoidance of a particular food

orperant conditioning

a type of learning in which the consequences of an organism's behavior determine whether it will be repeated in the future

Reinforcement

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

punishment

an event that decreases the behavior that it follows

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

postitive reinforcement

the reinforcement of a response by the addition or experiencing of a pleasurable stimulus

negative reinforcement

increasing the strength of a given response by removing or preventing a painful stimulus when the response occurs

secondary reinforcer

any reinforcer that becomes reinforcing after being paired with a primary reinforcer, such as praise, tokens, or gold stars

reinforcement discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond appropriately based on the presence or absence of reinforcement.

reinforcement generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the original stimulus that was reinforced.

learned helplessness

the hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events

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

variable interval

reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals

fixed ratio

reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

variable ratio

reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

modeling

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

latent learning

learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

reinforcement schedules

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

one trial conditioning

with one exposure to the aversive stimulus being enough to end the behavior forever

one trial learning

when conditioning occurs after a single experience involving relatively intense fear, pain, or sickness