Classical learning

Classical Conditioning

A type of passive learning in which we link two or more stimuli.

Stimulus

Any event or situation that evokes a response (cause of an action).

Respondent Behavior

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus.

Operant Behavior

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences (learning through reinforcement & punishment).

Cognitive Learning

The acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events/others or through language.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Unlearned, naturally occurring cause of behavior.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Elicits no response before conditioning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Unlearned, naturally occurring behavior.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Learned cause of behavior.

Conditioned Response (CR)

Learned behavior.

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning in which one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so the neutral stimulus triggers the unconditioned response.

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.

Higher-order Conditioning

A procedure in which the conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus (as if it were the unconditioned stimulus) creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency for stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit a similar response.

Stimulus Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Aversive Conditioning

A type of classical conditioning that involves the conditioning of fear.

Learning

The process of acquiring through experience new and relatively enduring information or behaviors.

Habituation

Decreasing responsiveness with repeated exposure to a stimulus (like sensory adaptation).

Biological Preparedness

A phenomenon where each species' predispositions prepare it to learn the associations that enhance its survival.

Taste Aversion

Avoidance of food associated with nausea or sickness.

Counterconditioning

Technique to replace unwanted behaviors with positive ones.

Operant Conditioning

Learning where behavior is influenced by consequences.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences are repeated.

Reinforcement

Event that strengthens the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Increasing behavior by presenting rewarding stimuli.

Negative Reinforcement

Increasing behavior by removing aversive stimuli.

Primary Reinforcers

Innately rewarding stimuli satisfying biological needs.

Conditioned Reinforcers

Stimuli gaining power through association with primary reinforcers.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcement provided every time behavior occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcement provided only some of the time.

Shaping Behavior

Guiding behavior towards desired actions through reinforcement.

Learned Helplessness

Feeling of hopelessness from repeated aversive events.

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement after a specific number of actions.

Fixed Interval Schedule

Reinforcement after a specific amount of time.

Variable Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of actions.

Variable Interval Schedule

Reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time.

Punishment

Event that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding an aversive stimulus to decrease behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease behavior.

Observational Learning

Acquisition of knowledge by watching others.

Modeling

Observing and imitating specific behaviors.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons firing during observation and imitation of actions.

Latent Learning

Learning not apparent until incentive to demonstrate.

Cognitive Map

Mental representation of one's environment layout.

Insight Learning

Sudden realization of a problem's solution.