classical conditioning
a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events
neutral stimulus (NS)
a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning
unconditioned response (UCR)
an unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
a stimulus that unconditionally-naturally/ automatically- triggers a response
conditioned response (CR)
the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus
conditioned stimulus (CS)
an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response
acquisition
initial stage when one links a neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response
high-order conditioning
procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus
extinction
diminishing of a conditioned response
spontaneous recovery
the reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response
generalization
the tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses
discrimination
learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus
taste aversion
a learned avoidance of a particular food
operant conditioning
process by which humans/animals learn to behave in order to obtain rewards and avoid punishment
law of effect
states that if an action is followed by a pleasurable consequence, it will tend to be repeated. if it's followed by an unpleasant consequence, it will tend not to be repeated
operant chamber
apparatus for the laboratory study of operant behavior
reinforcement
any event that strengthens the behavior it follows
shaping
procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer approximations of the desired behavior
positive reinforcement
increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers
negative reinforcement
increasing behaviors by stopping/reducing negative stimuli
primary reinforcer
an naturally reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
secondary reinforcer
a stimulus that becomes reinforcing after being paired with a primary reinforcer
reinforcement schedule
pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced
continuous reinforcement
reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
partial (intermittent) reinforcement
reinforcing a response only part of the time
fixed-ratio schedule
reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
fixed-interval schedule
reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has passed
variable-interval schedule
reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
punishment
event that tends to decrease the behavior that it follows
respondant behavior
behavior that is evoked by a specific stimulus and that will occur if the stimulus is presented
operant behavior
behaviors that operate to generate consequences
cognitive map
mental representation of the layout of one's environment
latent learning
learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
intrinsic motivation
desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake
extrinsic motivation
desire to perform a behavior to receive reward or avoid punishment
biofeedback
process that enable one to learn how to change physiological activity to improve health/performance
observational learning
learning by observing others
modeling
process of observing others and imitating a specific behavior
mirror neurons
frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing others do so
prosocial behavior
positive, constructive, helpful behavior (opposite of antisocial behavior)
insight
a sudden realisation of the solution to a problem