AP Psych learning

Classical conditioning

Learning through association; connecting events that occur together and anticipate one based on the presence of the other

Behaviorism

Objective science that studies behavior without referring mental processes

Unconditioned response

naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus

Unconditioned stimulant

A stimulus that naturally/automatically triggers a response

Conditioned response

I learned response to a conditioned stimulus

Conditioned stimulus

And originally irrelevant stimulus that comes to trigger a conditioned response after association with an unconditioned response

Acquisition

Initial stage of learning, process of linking a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus (so NS causes UR)

Extinction

Diminishment of a conditioned response, unconditional response doesn’t follow conditioned stimulus

Spontaneous recovery

Reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response

Generalization

Tendency to respond similarly to new similar stimuli or situations as one did to a previously learned one

Discrimination

The process of learning to respond differently to two or more stimuli that are similar, but not identical

Operant conditioning

Responses can be controlled by their consequences - rewards and punishments

Respondent behavior

Automatic/involuntary reaction elicited by a specific stimulus, like a reflex

Operant behavior

voluntary behavior that a person performs to produce a consequence in their environment

Law of effect

Behavior followed by good consequences become more likely, behavior followed by undesirable consequences, become less likely

Shaping

Reinforces guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of a desired goal

Primary reinforcer

Innately/natural reinforcing stimulus, could satisfy a biological need

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Reinforcing a response only part of the time

Fixed ratio schedule

Reinforces after a specific number of responses

Variable ratio schedule

Reinforces after an unpredictable number of responses

Fixed interval schedule

Reinforces after a specific time has elapsed

Variable interval schedule

Reinforces after an unpredictable time interval

Punishment

A consequence that follows a behavior and decreases the likelihood of that behavior happening again

Latent learning

Learning that occurs, but it’s not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

Overjustification effect

The effect of promising of award for doing what one already likes to do

Intrinsic motivation

The drive to do an activity for internal satisfaction

Extrinsic motivation

The drive to do something because of an external reward or to avoid a punishment

Modeling

The process of learning new behavior, skills, attitudes, or social norms by observing and imitating others

Mirror neurons

Type of brain cell that fire both when a person performs an action, and when they observe someone else performing the same action