Psychology Learning: Conditioning, Reinforcement & Motivation

What is the main premise of behaviorism?

Learning is a result of conditioning, where stimuli in the environment lead to responses.

Who is known for classical conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov

What is a conditioned response?

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus after conditioning.

What is higher-order conditioning?

When a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus by being paired with an already established conditioned stimulus.

What is stimulus generalization?

When similar stimuli produce the same conditioned response.

What is stimulus discrimination?

When different responses are made to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

What does operant conditioning involve?

Learning through the consequences of behavior, where responses are modified by reinforcement or punishment.

What is the law of effect?

Responses followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to occur again, while those followed by unpleasant outcomes are less likely.

What is positive reinforcement?

Adding a rewarding stimulus following a correct behavior to increase that behavior.

What is negative reinforcement?

Removing an unpleasant stimulus following a correct behavior to increase that behavior.

What is positive punishment?

Adding an unpleasant stimulus following a behavior to decrease that behavior.

What is negative punishment?

Removing a rewarding stimulus following a behavior to decrease that behavior.

What is shaping in behaviorism?

The differential reinforcement of successive approximations towards a desired behavior.

What is cognitive dissonance?

The psychological discomfort experienced when a person's beliefs do not align with their actions.

What are intrinsic motivations?

Motivations that come from within, such as curiosity and interest.

What are extrinsic motivations?

Motivations that come from external factors, such as money, grades, or praise.

What is the over-justification effect?

When external rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for an activity that one already enjoys.

What is a fixed-ratio schedule in operant conditioning?

Behavior is reinforced after a specific number of responses.

What is a variable-ratio schedule?

Behavior is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses.

What is a fixed-interval schedule?

Behavior is reinforced for the first response after a specific amount of time has passed.

What is a variable-interval schedule?

Behavior is reinforced for the first response after an average, but unpredictable, amount of time has passed.

What is the role of attitudes in behavior?

Attitudes and behaviors do not always align, leading to cognitive dissonance.