ap psychology - learning

classical conditioning

two stimuli linked together to produce a new response

unconditioned response

the response elicited by an unconditioned stimulus without prior learning

unconditioned stimulus

the stimulus that elicits an unconditioned, automatic response

conditioned stimulus

a previously-neutral stimulus that comes to elicit the conditioned response

conditioned response

the response elicited by the conditioned stimulus after conditioning

neutral stimulus

a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning

acquisition extinction spontaneous recovery generalization discrimination

stages of classical conditioning

acquistion

associates a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so the NS elicits a CR

extinction

the diminishing of a CR, when an US does not follow a CS

spontaneous recovery

reappearance of a weakened CR after it has been extinguished

generalization

the tendency, once a response is conditioned, for similar stimuli to the CS to elicit similar responses

discrimination

ability to distinguish between a CS and other irrelevant stimuli

that human emotions can be conditioned

what did the little albert study show?

habituation

when organisms grow accustomed to and exhibit a diminished response to a repeated or enduring stimulus. non-associative learning

operant conditioning

associates behavior with consequences

law of effect

rewards strengthens behavior, unpleasant consequences weaken behavior

shaping

rewards used to guide behavior towards a certain goal (successive approximation)

chaining

learning a series of related behaviors, each providing cues for the next and the last that produces a reinforcer

reinforcer

anything that makes a behavior more likely to occur in the future

positive reinforcer

behavior is more likely to occur because something is being added to the situation

negative reinforcer

behavior is more likely to occur because something bad is being taken away

primary reinforcer

reinforcing because it is vital to life

secondary reinforcer

reinforcing, but not vital to life

superstitious behavior

occurs when consequences reinforce unrelated behaviors

continuous reinforcement

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

partial reinforcement

reinforcing a response only part of the time

fixed-ratio schedule

reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

variable-ratio schedule

reinforces a response after an unpredictable amount of responses

fixed interval schedule

reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed

variable-interval schedule

reinforces a response at unpredictable times and intervals