Flashcards Psychology Learning: Classical, Operant, and Observational Conditioning

Learning

A lasting change in behavior or knowledge from experience.

Conditioning

learning

Classical Conditioning

Learning by connecting two stimuli to create an involuntary response ( classical music =bells, dogs and bells )

Operant Conditioning

Learning from the consequences of behavior.

Behaviorism

The study of observable behavior and how it is learned.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Something that naturally causes a response without learning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

A natural, unlearned reaction to a stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that causes a learned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus.

Evaluative Conditioning

Changing how much you like something by connecting it with positive or negative experiences.

Acquisition

The first stage of learning a new response.

Stimulus Contiguity

When two stimuli occur close together in time and space.

Extinction (Classical Conditioning)

A learned response gradually weakens when the association stops being reinforced.

Spontaneous Recovery

A learned response returns after it has disappeared for a while.

Renewal Effect

A learned response returns in the original environment.

Stimulus Generalization

Responding the same way to stimuli similar to the original.

Stimulus Discrimination

Responding differently to similar stimuli.

Higher-Order Conditioning

Learning a new association using an already conditioned stimulus.

Reinforcement

A consequence that makes a behavior more likely to happen again.

Punishment

A consequence that makes a behavior less likely to happen again.

Reinforcement Contingencies

The rules that determine when a behavior receives a reward.

Shaping

Rewarding small steps toward a desired behavior.

Extinction (Operant Conditioning)

A behavior gradually decreases when reinforcement stops.

Resistance to Extinction

Continuing a behavior even when its reward stops.

Primary Reinforcer

A reward that meets a basic biological need, like food or water.

Secondary Reinforcer

Something learned to be rewarding, like money, praise, or good grades.

Continuous Reinforcement

Rewarding a behavior every time it happens.

Fixed Ratio (FR)

Reward after a set number of responses.

Variable Ratio (VR)

Reward after an unpredictable number of responses.

Fixed Interval (FI)

Reward the first response after a set amount of time.

Variable Interval (VI)

Reward the first response after an unpredictable amount of time.

Ratio Schedule

A reward schedule based on the number of responses.

Interval Schedule

A reward schedule based on time.

Conditioned Taste Aversion

Learning to dislike a food after getting sick from it.

Preparedness

Being biologically ready to learn certain associations more easily.

Latent Learning

Learning that is not shown in behavior right away.

Response-Outcome Relations

Beliefs about whether a behavior caused an outcome.

Superstitious Behavior

Believing a behavior causes an outcome when it may not.

Observational Learning

Learning by watching others.

Attention

Paying attention to the behavior being observed.

Retention

Remembering what was observed.

Reproduction

Being able to perform the observed behavior.

Motivation

Having a reason to copy a behavior.