Unit 3B

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on how external environmental stimuli and conditioning shape observable behaviors, disregarding internal processes.

Classical Conditioning

type of associative leaning, where a previously neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus that naturally triggers an automatic unlearned response

Acquisition

initial stage of learning, where a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to a evoke a conditioned response in classical conditioning.

Associative Learning

the process of learning that certain events, stimuli or behaviors occur together

Unconditioned Stimulus

any stimulus that naturally, automatically and reflexively triggers a specific response without any prior learning or conditioning

Unconditioned Response

an unlearned automatic, involuntary and unlearned reaction that occurs naturally in response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus

a previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with an unconditioned stimulus through repeated parings, eventually triggers a conditioned response

Conditioned Response

the learned, automatic, and involuntary reaction to a conditioned stimulus

Extinction

the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response

Spontaneous Recovery

the reemergence of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a rest period or delay

Stimulus Discrimination

the learned ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other, similar stimuli ensuring a response occurs to the specific stimulus.

Stimulus Generalization

the tendency of a conditioned organism to produce the same response to new stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus

Higher-Order Conditioning

when a conditioned stimulus plays the role of an unconditioned stimulus in a new association.

Counterconditioning

replaces an unwanted response to a stimulus with a new, incompatible and desired response by paring the original trigger with a positive stimulus

Taste Aversion

a strong, leaned dislike or avoidance of a specific food or flavor that occurs after a single negative experience

One-Trial Conditioning

learning takes place in a single pairing of a response and stimulus and is not strengthened over time by repeated exposure to a stimulus.

Biological Preparedness

the innate, evolutionary tendency for organism to quickly learn associations between certain stimuli and response that were crucial for survival

Habituation

a basic form of non-associative learning where an organism's response to a repeated, irrelevant stimulus decreases or stops over time, allowing focus on new or important information

Social Learning

the process of acquiring new behaviors, attitudes, or information by observing, modeling and imitating others within a social context

Vicarious Conditioning

Learning attitudes, emotions or behaviors by observing other's reactions and the consequences of their actions, rather tan through direct experience

Modeling

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior, acting as a core component of observational learning

Insight learning

type of cognitive learning where a problem's solution appears suddenly, as an "aha!" moment.

Cognitive map

A mental representation or internal layout of one's physical environment, allowing for navigation and understanding spatial relationships, developed through experience

Latent learning

Learning that happens without immediate reinforcement or demonstration but is revealed later

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened based on its consequences (rewards or punishments).

Reinforcement

Any consequence that increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated.

Punishment

Any consequence that decreases the likelihood that a behavior will occur again.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Primary Reinforcer

A reinforcer that satisfies a basic biological need (such as food, water, or warmth).

Secondary Reinforcer

A learned reinforcer that gains value through association with a primary reinforcer (such as money or grades).

Reinforcement Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between situations in which a behavior will be reinforced and situations in which it will not.

Reinforcement Generalization

The tendency to respond in the same way to similar stimuli, even if they are not identical.

Shaping

A learning process in which successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced.

Instinctive Drift

The tendency for learned behaviors to revert back to instinctive, natural behaviors.

Superstitious Behavior

Behavior that occurs when an organism associates a reinforcement with an action that actually caused it by chance.

Learned Helplessness

A condition in which an individual learns that they have no control over outcomes and stops trying to change the situation.

Continuous Reinforcement

A reinforcement schedule in which the desired behavior is reinforced every time it occurs.

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

A reinforcement schedule in which a behavior is reinforced only some of the time.

Fixed Interval Schedule

Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed amount of time has passed.

Variable Interval Schedule

Reinforcement is delivered after varying, unpredictable amounts of time.

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses.

Variable Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement is delivered after a varying, unpredictable number of responses.

Graphing of Schedules of Reinforcement

A visual representation showing how different reinforcement schedules affect the rate of responding over time.

Scalloped Graph

A pattern seen in fixed interval schedules where responses increase as the time for reinforcement approaches.