Psychology of Learning

Learning

A change in ability to do something because of experiences.

Learning-performance distinction

Learning can occur without immediate display of behavior; changes may not be outwardly visible.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by rewards are strengthened, while those followed by lack of rewards are weakened.

Habituation

A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Sensitization

An increased response to a stimulus following a strong or noxious stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

Learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that produces a response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

A natural reaction that occurs in response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

Learning where behavior is shaped by its consequences.

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a pleasant stimulus to enhance a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to enhance a behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to discourage a behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a pleasant stimulus to discourage a behavior.

Continuous Reinforcement

Rewarding a behavior every time it occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

Rewarding a behavior only some of the time.

Extinction

The process where a previously reinforced behavior stops occurring when reinforcement is no longer provided.

Generalization

Responding similarly to different but related stimuli.

Discrimination

Responding differently to various stimuli based on reinforcement history.

Drive Reduction Theory

Reinforcement occurs when a behavior reduces a physiological drive.

Premack Principle

A preferred activity can reinforce a less preferred activity.

Learned Helplessness

A condition in which an individual learns to act helplessly in a situation where they should have control.

Pavlovian-Instrumental Transfer (PIT)

The influence of classical conditioning on operant behavior, where a cue increases motivation to perform a behavior linked to a reward.

Species-Specific Defense Reactions (SSDRs)

Innate defensive behaviors that are instinctual and linked to survival.