Psych Learning

What is the process of acquiring through experiences and information called?

What is the process of acquiring through experiences and information called?

Learning

What is habituation?

Decreased responsiveness with repeated exposure to a stimulus.

What does classical conditioning involve?

Learning that occurs when two stimuli are linked to create a response.

Who was John Watson?

A prominent behaviorist who focused on observable behaviors.

What is the unconditioned stimulus (US) in Pavlov's experiments?

Food, which naturally triggers a response.

What does the term 'acquisition' refer to in classical conditioning?

The initial stage of learning when a response is strengthened.

What is 'extinction' in classical conditioning?

The diminishing of a learned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

What is generalization in classical conditioning?

The tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to produce similar responses.

What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement adds a desirable stimulus, while negative reinforcement removes an adverse stimulus.

What is the law of effect proposed by Thorndike?

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

How can operant conditioning be applied in education?

Using immediate feedback and reinforcement to encourage correct responses.

What is latent learning?

Learning that occurs but is not immediately reflected in behavior until there is an incentive.

How do mirror neurons contribute to observational learning?

They fire when we perform certain actions or when we observe others doing so, enabling imitation and empathy.

What is the difference between explicit and implicit memories?

Explicit memories involve facts and experiences that can be consciously recalled, while implicit memories involve the retention of learned skills and classically conditioned associations without conscious recollection.

What is the definition of memory retrieval?

The process of getting information out of storage.

What is source amnesia?

When a person cannot remember how, when, or where they learned something, leading to faulty memory.

What is the misinformation effect?

When misleading information distorts the memory of an event.

How can you improve memory retention according to the research findings?

By making material meaningful, using retrieval cues, and minimizing interference.

What kind of reinforcement schedule provides a reward after an unpredictable number of responses?

Variable ratio reinforcement schedule.

What are the synaptic changes that occur with learning?

The increase in the number of synapses and the increase in cells' firing potential through long-term potentiation.

What is the difference between proactive and retroactive interference in memory?

Proactive interference occurs when old learning disrupts new learning; retroactive interference occurs when new learning disrupts the recall of old learning.

What is a flashbulb memory?

A clear, sustained memory of an emotionally significant event.

What is the significance of emotions in memory processing?

Emotions can enhance the recall of memories and often involve physiological changes.

What is operant conditioning?

A learning process where behavior is influenced by its consequences, such as rewards or punishments.

What is the difference between fixed ratio and variable ratio reinforcement schedules?

Fixed ratio reinforcement schedules provide rewards after a set number of responses, while variable ratio schedules provide rewards after an unpredictable number of responses.

What is observational learning?

Learning by observing others and imitating their behavior.

What is the definition of shaping in operant conditioning?

Shaping is reinforcing successive approximations of a behavior until the desired behavior is achieved.

What role does motivation play in learning?

Motivation drives the desire to learn and enhances engagement and persistence in educational tasks.

What is the spacing effect in memory?

The phenomenon where information is retained better when studied over a longer period of time with breaks rather than cramming.

How does priming affect memory retrieval?

Priming is the activation of certain associations in memory, which can influence how we retrieve information.

What is the difference between semantic and episodic memory?

Semantic memory involves facts and general knowledge, while episodic memory pertains to personal experiences and specific events.

What are the four stages of memory processing?

Encoding, storage, retrieval, and forgetting.

What impact do context and cues have on memory recall?

Context and cues can facilitate recall by providing memory triggers based on the environment or associated information.

What are the three types of learning theories in psychology?

Behaviorism, cognitive learning theory, and social learning theory.

What does behaviorism focus on in learning?

Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they're learned through interaction with the environment.

What is cognitive learning theory?

Cognitive learning theory emphasizes mental processes and the role of cognition in understanding how people learn.

What is the role of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation comes from within an individual, driven by personal satisfaction; extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or punishments.

How does observational learning differ from traditional learning?

Observational learning occurs through watching others, while traditional learning often involves direct instruction or practice.

What is a conditioned response?

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

What role does emotion play in learning according to educational psychology?

Emotions can enhance engagement and retention of material, influencing the learning process.

What is the purpose of retrieval cues in memory?

Retrieval cues help access information stored in memory by providing prompts based on associations.

How can teachers apply the spacing effect to improve learning?

By spacing out study sessions over time rather than cramming, leading to better retention of material.