Cognitive Psychology: Learning

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and definitions from the Cognitive Psychology lecture on learning.

What is learning?

Learning is the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and values, emotional responses and motor skills as the result of experiences.

What are the types of learning?

Observational, Non-associative, Associative, Habituation, Sensitization, Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning.

What is observational learning?

Learning through watching and replicating others, also known as social learning.

What are the four stages of observational learning?

Attention, Retention, Reproduction/Initiation, Motivation.

What is habituation in non-associative learning?

Learning to NOT to respond after repeated exposure to a stimulus; adaptation to meaningless information.

What is sensitization in non-associative learning?

An increase in behavioral response after exposure to a stimulus.

What is classical conditioning?

Learning that occurs by forming associations between different stimuli.

What is an unconditioned stimulus?

A stimulus that brings about a response without having been learned.

What is the difference between conditioned response and unconditioned response?

A conditioned response follows a previously neutral stimulus after conditioning, while an unconditioned response is natural and does not require training.

What does positive reinforcement do in operant conditioning?

Presenting a stimulus increases the probability of repeating a behavior.

What is the Premack principle?

A more-valued activity can reinforce a less-valued activity, such as doing homework before playing outside.

What is the focus of classical conditioning?

Learning by association.

What distinguishes operant conditioning from classical conditioning?

Operant conditioning focuses on learning by consequences, while classical conditioning focuses on learning by association.