AP Psychology: Learning, Operant Conditioning, and Biological/Cognitive Influences

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering classical conditioning, operant conditioning schedules, observational learning, and biological/cognitive factors in learning.

Reinforcement

Any consequences given to encourage or increase a behavior.

Punishment

Any consequences given to discourage or decrease a behavior.

Classical Conditioning

A form of learning that does not control behavior, whereas operant conditioning is controlled and occurs by choice.

B.F. Skinner

An English major turned psychologist ($1904\text{--}1990$) who built upon the Law of Effect and utilized the operant chamber.

Law of Effect

A principle connected to Edward Thorndike stating that behavior will occur if it is immediately rewarded.

Operant Chamber (Skinner Box)

An experimental apparatus where behavior always occurs if immediately rewarded.

Acquisition

The phase when an organism is classically conditioned.

Discriminative Stimulus

A stimulus that signals or allows an organism to know what gives punishments or rewards.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding something desirable to increase a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing something undesirable to increase a behavior.

Primary Reinforcement

Naturally reinforcing stimuli such as food, drink, and love that do not need to be taught.

Conditioned Reinforcement

A secondary reinforcer that does not apply or make sense immediately without prior learning.

Immediate Reinforcement

A consequence delivered directly after a behavior occurs, such as petting a dog.

Delayed Reinforcement

A consequence that is postponed or received over time following a behavior, such as a paycheck or grades.

Fixed Ratio Schedule

A schedule of reinforcement based on a set or predictable number of responses.

Variable Ratio Schedule

A schedule of reinforcement based on an unpredictable number of responses.

Fixed Interval Schedule

A schedule of reinforcement based on a set or predictable amount of time.

Variable Interval Schedule

A schedule of reinforcement based on an unpredictable amount of time.

Observational Learning (Social Learning)

Learning by observing others.

Modeling

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior (e.g., catch-phrases, traditions, vices).

Mirror Neurons

Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or observing others' actions, enabling imitation and empathy (such as a baby sticking out its tongue).

Prosocial Behavior

Positive, constructive, and helpful behavior; the opposite of anti-social behavior which goes against societal norms.

Insight Learning

A sudden realization of the solution to a problem without trial-and-error (e.g., a dog opening a gate, moving furniture).

Albert Bandura

A prolific, respected scientist at the forefront of observational learning research, famous for the Bobo doll experiment.

Charles Darwin's Principle

The evolutionary principle stating that natural selection favors traits that aid survival.

John Garcia and Robert Koelling

Researchers who made early findings on taste aversion and challenged standard assumptions regarding learned associations.

Preparedness

A biological predisposition to learn associations that have survival value, such as taste and nausea.

Biological Constraints

Evolutionary limits that predispose organisms to learn associations that are naturally adaptive.

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of the layout of one's environment.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and remains unconscious or dormant until there is a reason or motivation to demonstrate it.

Intrinsic Motivation

Internal motivation characterized by performing a behavior because it is personally enjoyable or satisfying.

Extrinsic Motivation

External motivation driven by operant consequences, such as earning a reward or avoiding punishment.