AP Psych Cram Sheet Unit 4

Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)

The organism learns to associate two stimuli

One produces a response that originally was only produced by the other

Classic example of dog/bell and salivation

UCS (unconditioned stimulus)

a stimulus that naturally triggers a response

UCR (unconditioned response)

the natural response to the UCS

conditioned stimulus (CS)

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

conditioned response (CR)

in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS)

acquisition

The initial stage in classical conditioning; the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response.

Extinction

A term that typically describes a species that no longer has any known living individuals.

spontaneous recovery

Generalization

the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses

Discrimination

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

operant conditioning

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

Skinner Box

A small enclosure in which an animal can make a specific response that is systematically recorded while the consequences of the response are controlled.

positive reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

negative reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.)

positive punishment

the administration of a stimulus to decrease the probability of a behavior's recurring

negative punishment

the removal of a stimulus to decrease the probability of a behavior's recurring

Law of Effect (Thorndike)

a behavior followed by a reward is is strengthened and more likely repeated

reinforcement schedule

a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

Fixed vs. Variable

Fixed is certain while Variable is random

Ratio vs. Interval

Ratio is after a number of behaviors while Interval is after an amount of time

overjustification effect

The effect of promising a reward for doing what one already likes to do. The person may now see the reward, rather than intrinsic interest, as the motivation for performing the task.

Obeservational learning

learning by observing others (social learning)

mirror neurons

Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain's mirroring of another's action may enable imitation, language learning, and empathy.

Bobo the clown

children were more likely to behave aggressively with the Bobo doll if they had seen an adult model aggressive behavior

prosocial vs. antisocial behavior

prosocial: positive, constructive, helpful behavior

antisocial: hostile, violating rules behavior, opposite of prosocial behavior