Learning
Acquiring new and enduring information/behaviors
Associative Learning
Learning that certain events occur together
Stimulus
Event or situation that evokes a response
Respondent Behavior
Automatic response to a stimulus
Operant Behavior
Behavior that operates on the environment
Cognitive Learning
Acquisition of mental information through observation, watching others, or language
Classical Conditioning
Learning by linking two or more stimuli
Behaviorism
Objective science studying behavior without reference to mental processes
Neutral Stimulus (NS)
Stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning
Unconditioned Response (UR)
Unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus
Unconditioned Stimulus (US)
Stimulus that triggers an unconditioned response
Conditioned Response (CR)
Learned response to a conditioned stimulus
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
Originally neutral stimulus that triggers a conditioned response
Acquisition
Initial stage of classical conditioning
Higher-order Conditioning
Pairing a conditioned stimulus with a new neutral stimulus
Extinction
Diminishing of a conditioned response
Spontaneous Recovery
Reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response
Generalization (stimulus generalization)
Tendency for similar stimuli to elicit similar responses
Discrimination
Ability to distinguish between similar stimuli
Operant Conditioning
Learning through reinforcement or punishment
Law of Effect
Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely
Operant Chamber (Skinner box)
Chamber with a bar/key for animals to manipulate for reinforcement
Reinforcement
Event that strengthens a behavior
Shaping
Procedure to guide behavior towards desired behavior
Positive Reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by presenting a pleasurable stimulus
Negative Reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by removing an aversive stimulus
Primary Reinforcer
Innately reinforcing stimulus
Conditioned Reinforcer (Secondary reinforcer)
Stimulus that gains reinforcing power through association
Reinforcement Schedule
Pattern that defines how often a response will be reinforced
Continuous Reinforcement
Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement
Reinforcing a response only part of the time
Fixed-Ratio Schedule
Reinforcing a response after a specified number of responses
Variable-Ratio Schedule
Reinforcing a response after an unpredictable number of responses
Fixed-Interval Schedule
Reinforcing a response after a specified time has elapsed
Variable-Interval Schedule
Reinforcing a response at unpredictable time intervals
Punishment
Event that decreases the behavior it follows
Preparedness
Biological predisposition to learn associations with survival value
Instinctive Drift
Reversion of learned behavior to biologically predisposed patterns
Cognitive Map
Mental representation of one's environment
Latent Learning
Learning that is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
Observational Learning
Learning by observing others
Modeling
Process of observing and imitating a specific behavior
Mirror Neurons
Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing or observing certain actions
Prosocial Behavior
Positive, constructive, helpful behavior
Desensitization
Diminishing emotional responsiveness through repeated exposure
Social Learning
Learning through observation, peer influence, and cultural influence
Averse Conditioning
Exposure to a stimulus while experiencing discomfort
Air-Crib
Skinner's invention to mechanize childcare with a controlled environment
Teaching Machine
Computer that provides immediate feedback on answers
Chaining Behaviors
Breaking a task into small steps and teaching each step individually
Discriminative Stimulus
Stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement
Continuous Reinforcement
Reinforcing behavior every time it is demonstrated
Partial Reinforcement
Reinforcing behavior sometimes
Fixed Reinforcement
Reward is given at predictable times
Variable Reinforcement
Reward is given at unpredictable times
Ratio Reinforcement
Reward is based on the number of attempts
Interval Reinforcement
Reward is based on the amount of time
Rescorla Wagner Model
Formal model of Pavlovian conditioning
Habituation
Decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure
Learned Helplessness
Belief that one cannot change a stressful situation
Reinforcer
Something that increases the likelihood of a behavior
Unconditioned
Stimulus causing a response without prior learning
Insight
Understanding of cause and effect within a context
Intrinsic Motivation
Activity done for inherent satisfaction
Extrinsic Motivation
Motivation based on external goals or rewards
Biofeedback
Process of changing physiological activity for health and performance
Little Albert Experiment
Demonstration of classical conditioning in humans
Little Albert
Baby classically conditioned to fear a rat
Albert Bandura
Conducted the Bobo doll experiment on modeling
Edward Deci
Researcher on extrinsic rewards undermining intrinsic motivation
Ivan Pavlov
Russian scientist who developed classical conditioning
Rosalie Rayner
Collaborated on the Little Albert experiment
Robert Rescorla
Worked on the Rescorla-Wagner Theory of conditional learning
Richard Ryan
Co-developer of Self-Determination Theory
Giacomo Rizzolatti
Discovered mirror neurons
Martin Seligman
Creator of the Learned Helplessness theory
B.F. Skinner
Psychologist known for operant conditioning and inventions
Edward Thorndike
Created the Law of Effect theory
Edward Tolman
Conducted research on cognitive maps
Allan Wagner
Collaborated on the Rescorla-Wagner Theory of conditional learning
John Watson
Conducted the Little Albert experiment
Kenneth and Mamie Clark
Conducted the doll experiment on racial bias