unit 4 chap 7

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