AP Psychology Unit 6: Learning

learning

learning

a relatively permanent change in an organism's behavior due to experience.

habituation

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

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).

classical conditioning

a type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neutral stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus.

behaviorism

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).

neutral stimulus (NS)

(prior to conditioning) is a stimulus that produces no response other than catching your attention.

unconditioned response (UR)

in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), such as salivation when food 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 conditioned) stimulus (CS).

conditioned stimulus (CS)

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

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.

higher-order conditioning

a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus. For example, an animal that has learned that a tone predicts food might then learn that a light predicts the tone and begin responding to the light alone. (Also called second-order conditioning.)

extinction

A process by which a response that has been learned is weakened by the absence or removal of stimuli or reinforcement.

spontaneous recovery

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

generalization

responding similarly to a range of similar stimuli

discrimination

in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

learned helplessness

showed the hopelessness and passive resignation an animal (or human) learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events. Experiment initially done by Martin Seligman.

operant conditioning

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

law of effect

The principle that behaviors are selected by their consequences..rewarded behavior is likely to occur again. (Edward Thorndike)

shaping

an 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 (in contrast to related stimuli not associated 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. Any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

negative reinforcement

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. Any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response.

primary reinforcer

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

conditioned (secondary) reinforcer

a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; (we need to learn this is important)

continuous reinforcement schedule

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs. (Goes away easily or quickly once reinforcement is gone.)

partial (intermittent) reinforcement schedule

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. (Causes very fast responding as subject knows what to do to get rewarded.)

variable-ratio schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses. (Causes very fast responding as subject doesn't know how much they have to do to get reward; very resistant to extinction)

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. (can be positive or negative)

positive punishment

Administer an aversive (unfavorable) stimulus to decrease behavior. (i.e., spanking, receiving a parking ticket)

negative punishment

Withdraw a desirable stimulus to decrease behavior. (i.e., child on a time out, having driver's license taken away)

latent learning

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

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.

observational learning

learning by observing others (also called social learning); primary experiment done by Albert Bandura with Bobo Doll

modeling

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

prosocial behavior

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

antisocial behavior

disruptive acts characterized by covert and overt hostility and intentional aggression toward others.

B.F. Skinner

Behaviorism's most influential and controversial therapist. Proved that reinforcements can make animals do almost any task.

Edward Thorndike

Developed term "law of effect"

Immediate Reinforcer

A type of reinforcer that occurs instantly after a behavior.
(A rat gets a food pellet for a bar press.)

Delayed Reinforcer

A type of reinforcer that is delayed in time for a certain behavior. (A paycheck that comes at the end of a week.)

external locus of control

the perception that chance or outside forces beyond your personal control determine your fate. (Rotter)

internal locus of control

the perception that you control your own fate (Rotter)

John Watson

Early behaviorist; famous for the "Little Albert" experiments on fear conditioning

Operant Chamber (Skinner Box)

a chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animal's rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research

stimulus

any event or situation that evokes a response

self-control

the ability to control impulses and delay short-term gratification for greater long-term rewards