AP psychology Unit 3

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge due to experience

Classical Conditioning

Learning by associating two stimuli so that a neutral stimulus triggers a response

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

An unlearned, automatic response to the UCS

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with the UCS, triggers a response

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning when an association between stimuli is formed

Extinction

The weakening of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a pause

Stimulus Generalization

Responding similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli

Taste Aversion

A learned avoidance of a particular food after becoming ill

Biological Preparedness

An innate tendency to form certain associations more easily than others

Habituation

Decreased response to a stimulus after repeated exposure

Operant Conditioning

Learning in which behavior is shaped by consequences

Reinforcement

Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior

Punishment

Any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase behavior

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior

Positive Punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behavior

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease behavior

Primary Reinforcer

A reinforcer that satisfies a biological need

Secondary Reinforcer

A learned reinforcer that gains value through association

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by pleasant consequences are more likely to be repeated

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior

Instinctive Drift

The tendency for animals to revert to innate behaviors despite reinforcement

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

Reinforcing a behavior only some of the time

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement after a set number of responses

Variable Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses

Fixed Interval Schedule

Reinforcement after a fixed amount of time

Variable Interval Schedule

Reinforcement after varying amounts of time

Learned Helplessness

A condition in which repeated exposure to uncontrollable events leads to passive behavior and loss of motivation

Observational Learning

Learning by watching others

Modeling

The process of observing and imitating behavior

Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning by observing others being rewarded or punished

Bobo Doll Experiment

Bandura’s study demonstrating observational learning and aggression

Cognitive Learning

Learning that involves mental processes

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is expressed later

Insight Learning

A sudden realization of a solution to a problem

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of the layout of an environment

Overjustification Effect

When external rewards reduce intrinsic motivation