Unit 3 psych learning

Behaviorism

Founded on the idea that psychology should be an objective science studying observable behavior without reference to mental processes.

Ivan Pavlov

Conducted the famous dog salivation experiments, laying the foundation for classical conditioning.

John B. Watson

Applied conditioning principles to human emotion in the “Little Albert” experiment; showed fears can be learned.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US/UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response. (Example: Food)

Unconditioned Response (UR/UCR)

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus. (Example: Salivation)

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning. (Example: A tone)

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

An originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with a US, triggers a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning where one links an NS and a US; timing is critical for biological adaptation.

Higher-Order Conditioning

When a new neutral stimulus is paired with an existing conditioned stimulus, creating a second, weaker CS.

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response when the CS is no longer followed by the US.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a weakened conditioned response after a pause following extinction.

Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.

Taste Aversion (The Garcia Effect)

Biological predisposition to associate sickness with taste rather than sight or sound.

Habituation

A decrease in responsiveness with repeated exposure to a stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

Associating voluntary behaviors with their consequences (reinforcement or punishment).

Law of Effect (Thorndike)

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely; unfavorable ones become less likely.

B.F. Skinner

Influential behaviorist who used an "operant chamber" (Skinner Box) to study reinforcement patterns.

Shaping

A procedure where reinforcers guide behavior toward closer successive approximations of a desired goal.

Positive Reinforcement

Increasing behavior by adding a desirable stimulus. (Example: A gold star for good work)

Negative Reinforcement

Increasing behavior by removing an aversive stimulus. (Example: Taking aspirin to end a headache)

Primary Reinforcer

A stimulus that satisfies a biological need. (Example: Food or water)

Secondary (Conditioned) Reinforcer

A stimulus that gains power through association with a primary reinforcer. (Example: Money or grades)

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing the behavior every time it occurs; fast learning but fast extinction.

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

Reinforcing behavior only part of the time; slower acquisition but greater resistance to extinction.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement occurs after a set number of responses.

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement occurs after an unpredictable number of responses. (Example: Slot machines)

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Reinforcement occurs after a set amount of time; produces a "scalloped" response pattern.

Variable-Interval Schedule

Reinforcement occurs after unpredictable time intervals.

Positive Punishment

Decreasing behavior by administering an aversive stimulus. (Example: A traffic ticket)

Negative Punishment

Decreasing behavior by withdrawing a rewarding stimulus. (Example: Taking away phone privileges)

Instinctive Drift

The tendency for animals to revert to biologically predisposed patterns even after conditioning.

Learned Helplessness

The passive resignation learned when an organism is unable to avoid repeated aversive events.

Modeling

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Albert Bandura

Conducted the Bobo Doll experiment; showed children imitate aggressive actions they observe.

Vicarious Reinforcement/Punishment

Learning to anticipate consequences by watching others experience them.

Mirror Neurons

Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing or observing an action; neural basis for empathy.

Latent Learning (Tolman)

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

Cognitive Map

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

Insight Learning

A sudden realization of a problem's solution.

Intrinsic Motivation

The desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake.

Extrinsic Motivation

The desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment.

Internal Locus of Control

The belief that you control your own fate.

External Locus of Control

The belief that chance or outside forces determine your fate.

Problem-focused Coping

Addressing a stressor directly to change the situation.

Emotion-focused Coping

Attempting to alleviate stress by attending to emotional needs rather than the stressor.