3.7 AP Psychology Vocabulary (Unit 3 | Development and Learning)

Classical Conditioning

Learning through association between two stimuli.

Acquisition

The initial learning phase when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

An automatic, unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a conditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

Extinction

The diminishing 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 period of extinction.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond to them differently.

Generalization

Responding similarly to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Higher-Order Conditioning

When a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus through association with another conditioned stimulus.

Counter-Conditioning

The process of associating a positive response with a stimulus that previously triggered a negative response.

One-Trial Conditioning

Learning that occurs after just one pairing of a stimulus and response.

Biological Preparedness

The idea that organisms are naturally inclined to form certain associations more easily than others.

Habituation

Decreasing response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Behavioral Perspective (Behaviorism)

Focus on observable behavior and the influence of the environment.

Associative Learning

Learning that certain events occur together, such as linking a stimulus with a response.

Learning

A lasting change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.

Cognitive Learning

Learning that involves mental processes like thinking, understanding, and remembering.

Stimulus

Any event or object that triggers a response.

Respondent Behavior

Automatic behavior triggered by a stimulus.

Operant Behavior

Behavior that is influenced by consequences (rewards or punishments).

Neutral Stimuli (NS)

A stimulus that does not initially trigger a response.